Organizers of the Malaysia Grand Prix, round two of the 2007 Formula One World Championship, remain confident of a good attendance this year, despite advance ticket sales of only eleven thousand.

With 116,000 turning out for the 2006 event, organizers are hoping for 120,000 when the F1 circus comes to town in April.

"Malaysian fans like to wait until the last minute to buy tickets," Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chairman Datuk Mokhzani Tun Mahathir told The Star, "much like going for a movie.

"We have been promoting the race in Europe, South Africa and neighbouring countries with the help of the Tourism Ministry," he revealed. "We believe we can achieve the 120,000 target when the season begins," he added.

Ticket sales to locals have never been particularly brilliant, resorting in race organizers having to come up with all manner of schemes in order to get bums on seats, such as heavily discounted tickets for students, and even giving away tickets.

Like so many others. Malaysia, has bought into the 'F1 dream', assuming that by hosting a race a country is given automatic membership of an elite club which gives it International kudos and has tourists beating a path to its door. The reality, despite the very impressive figures put out by organizers of the Bahrain Grand Prix, is somewhat different.

"We are currently carrying out repairs at the circuit and it will be completed in two weeks' time," said Mahathir. "The final inspection of the circuit will be held in the middle of this month. "We have to get everything ready as some of the teams will be coming here on March 20 for testing,"

On Thursday, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique launched the Kuala Lumpur Grand Prix City celebration, which will be held from April 1-8. During the celebration, there will be a number of events promoting the Sepang event including a vintage cars display, a fashion show and concerts.

You can purchase all your 2007 race tickets, including the Malaysia Grand Prix, from our own Formula One Ticket Shop, simply by clicking here