Battle in the Heat, Dancing in the Rain

Heat and humidity are nothing new in Malaysia. The physical challenge of driving in the Malaysia Circuit is often overlooked, because it’s not obvious to the spectator watching on TV. If you have been to other circuits in the world, you will know Sepang has always been one of the toughest races for most drivers and media. With ambient temperatures of 36 degrees and 80% humidity, the drivers lose around 3 litres of body fluid in sweat. Oh, and then there’s incredible tropical rainstorms that can bubble up out of nowhere.

Do you know the track of Sepang at least has the two 850 metre straights for the drivers to rest and for some air to blow in? Drivers have various tricks they use to get some cooling. One told me that he lifts one hand off the wheel on the back straight and the other on the pit straight, turning his palm and back of the hand to face the airflow, which sends jets of cool air down his sleeves and makes a significant difference.

How to ride a MotoGP bike on slick tyres on a wet track? 

It’s raining season.Rain can produce peculiar results in motorcycle racing; with power more of a disadvantage, in the wet rider skill becomes even more important.

The media professionals such as journalists, photographers and camera crews are already locked in stony concentration as they endeavour to capture the key moments but do you know because of the heat or the rain, which is usually sweltering, it’s also one of the coverage that make the greatest physical and mental demands on us.