2011- Sepang or The Island?

[ReCon]

Never thought I would ever have the pleasure of having to make this decision , but it seems that I can either do the Phillip Island Moto GP , or take the Missus to Malaysia.

Plan A was to take the 'Van to Cowes van park for 2 weeks , and watch the whole show. Would then bugger off back to the NT and land in Darwin for a few bux.
Brother lives south of Melbourne ,so is helpful if things turn a bit pear shaped. Issue is that I will need to drive from the Nor' West to get there.

Plan B was to fly to Malaysia for about 10 days , watch the show , and look around. I have been there once , but have fuck all exprience with the racing , or logistics of finding a place to hang during the race period.
The minister of finance can either watch the racing , or go shopping , which is proxy browny points for me!

Cost wise , which one would be better value for money , and fun factor as well? I realise Vicco weather at that time is phsyco and Malaysia is hot and humid , so I suppose it is 50/50 either way.

As I need to start planning very soon , any advice and do's/don'ts would be really appreciated.
Cheers for the advice

[Jacko]

Went to the Malaysian gp in 2010 and was so much fun. That track has excellent viewing and after watching how crappy the weather was at PI was a good call. Stayed at the Pan Pacific which was where all the riders where staying so got some good photos with a few as well as the experience of eating the buffet breakfast with all the teams around you.

[speed3]

We did PI last year and even with the shitty weather it was still awesome (a decent rain jacket and some gum boots and you won't care). We hired a campervan and stayed at the track, which was great fun. The elevation changes at PI mean that no matter where you stand you can see the bulk of the track and the large size means even on race day there's plenty of viewing spots. Next time we go it'll be to sepang but only because we've never been. You will definately save money by going to sepang though, PI was pretty expensive for us but we went all out. End of the day though accomodation etc are all cheaper at sepang. I doubt it would be any more fun at sepang over PI but probably just quite fifferent. I'd say do one, one year, and then do the other.

[STUART]

did PI in 95 and did Malaysia in 06 & 07 and malaysia wins big time, cost is far cheaper than PI, the food and shopping is better and its just a great experience all round

[thugsfatboy464]

Went to Sepang then the following weekend to PI in 2010,costs Sepang heaps cheaper ,grandstand seating undercover bout $35 for the three days,PI wet and cold $165 to get in gate,Sepang was cheaper full stop,i did it cheap as only flew there Friday and back Sunday evening Airfares Perth $400 return and if i had booked earlier it would have been cheaper,stayed at Tune hotel Airport $35 for three nights ,food was cheap and good
PI was wet and cold but great racing on the Sunday ,probably stay at Langkawi island this year and just go across to Sepang for the weekend

[dugy]

Have done PI twice. (once @ High Octane, once GA.)
Have done Sepang once. G.A.

WRT the track and racing: I preferred, PI.
Better views, more to see, freedom to roam and watch the action from a lot of different spots.
Sepand, they fly past you down the main straight, then you watch the tv and see a little bit of one or two other corners.

WRT a having a holiday: I preferred Sepang.
Much more to see and do in the evenings. It's a holiday in another country.

Which one would I do next...
If I want to see a GP. Phillip Island.
If I want a holiday away. Sepang.
The good thing about Sepang is accomm is cheap and easy.
P.I. Is f**king hard to get good accomm, and you will be bent over.
Only option really is to have booked a house with a heap of mates.

However, since you're bringing the missus, unless she is into bikes more than she is shopping, Sepang is the only option you've got.

[quattro750]

whs^^
done PI since the return of gp to PI plus who knows how many SBK. I actually bought a bike and leave it in Vic for two trips a year. the only place for me is to camp trackside (bikes only) as it gives you all the atmosphere you could want. SBK is more "real" biking atmosphere for mine, even though gp is top of the pops.
been to Sepang since 2005, great place for a holiday, cheap 4 star hotels, good nightlife in town, usually take the family as it is most cost effective.
if you are a hilton camper good accommodation is difficult at PI.
q

[ReCon]

Well after reading your posts and having a long conversation with the missus [about 4 seconds] , it looks like Sepang this year.
Being a complete newb with major racing events , do I sign up for one of the pre planned tour thingys , or is it relatively simple enough to wing it and still survive!
Is it pretty straight forward booking tickets , or do you buy 'at the gate'? Might be a good time to change from where do I go , to how do I go? . Will really appreciate all advice thrown at me.
Next year , I hope to do the PI run , and might even be allowed to buy a new bike to take along

[dugy]

Book it yourself.

Flight: Get online special
Accom: As above. (Impiana Hotel is my fav bang for buck.)
Tickets: Buy online and print out. Pickup at gate.
Transport: Catch a cab with mates or take the bus.

[Rick76]

Having done both they both have +/- but Malaysia always wins in $ terms. I suggest doing both at least once though.

Hopefully the new Singapore track is ready for 2012 then we can do Changi/Sepang back to back with a holiday in between. Apparently Singapore will be a night race.

Japan is way too difficult and expensive.

[ReCon]

Cheers, big thanks for the info!