What if you went to the GP and couldn’t get a beer?

Here’s the letter Pat Lane wrote to the organizers of the Malaysian GP. He wanted you to see it. I sincerely hope it doesn’t cause another diplomatic incident like Paul Keating’s “recalcitrant” comment of a few years ago…

Dear Sir,

I made a mistake! Nothing new in that, I’m human I make them all the time.

However this one was monumental.

Having attended every motor cycle GP in Australia since 1989 (still got the very first Wayne Gardner T shirt to prove it) I decided for 2009 I would venture to Malaysia. Arriving Saturday, a mate and I made our way to K.L. found our hotel. Arranged and paid for A/C and towels as extras. We ate at a nearby market, had a few beers and went to bed early for a first up start on race day.

We arrived at the Sepang circuit just before 10.00am.

First issue an hour plus wait in line to purchase tickets. Those who pre booked tickets and didn’t attend on Friday or Saturday had the same wait.
Second at the entry gate we asked to surrender all bottled fluids before entry. Presumably so they could sell us more inside. Temperature at this time was about 32 degrees C.

Thirdly once inside we were asked to purchase coupons to be used to in exchange for food and drinks. Fortunately we decided not to purchase these. I saw a number of people at the end of the day with handfuls of these and nothing to spend them on.

Finally after three failed attempts to buy water or beer (we both had two goes at standing in lines that just didn’t move) at 2.30pm we were rewarded with two beers and two bottles of water from the one and only beer vender at the circuit. My mate missed the entire 250cc race while standing in line. Food outlets were either sold out or had lines that disappeared in the distance.

I brought a race program on exiting, which I read on the plane home, the foreword by the Malaysian Prime Minster had me laughing with rage when he stated Malaysians can match the world in international events and wished all fans to enjoy the 1Malaysia warm hospitality. His final comment “1 Malaysia” People First. Performance Now” may have some meaning to locals but my experience at this event would suggest the people first comment does not extend to people attending this event.

The best advice I could offer the event organizers is attend an Australian Moto GP and see first hand how its all done.

As I said at the start I made a mistake, one I won’t make in the future. From now on my Moto GP money will be spent in Australia.

Oh finally, the racing was great, Casey won, Vale is world champ and the 250’s are still alive. Great racing, but that’s put on by the FIM and Dorna isn’t it?

Pat Lane.

So… everything considered, it was a fail, right, Pat?

Peter “The Bear” Thoeming