The 2013 MotoGP season is crawling towards the final round in Valencia, Spain but this weekend it's action time in Malaysia at the Sepang circuit. Here are some facts on this spectacular, fast track, alongside a video guide to riding on this track.
One of the most anticipated races through the season, the Sepang circuit was built in 1998, is 5.548 km (3.447 miles) long, and has a max width of 25 meters (82 feet). A righ-hander, Sepang brings in 5 left turns and 10 right curves, making the use of asymmetric tires a must for the 20-lap race. The longest straight line is 920 m (0.572 miles).
The fastest lap at Sepang belongs to Jorge Lorenzo, who went around the track in 2m00s334 back in 2012, with an average speed of 166 km/h (103.169 mph). However, the circuit record stands from 2007: it was Casey Stoner on his Ducati (oh, glory times!) who lapped Sepang in an average 2m02108, at a mean speed of 163.6 km/h (101.678 mph).
The best pole is also Lorenzo's 2012 performance. What's even more spectacular than anything else is the top speed record at Sepang: it belongs to Max Biaggi, who reached 317.7 km/h (197.451 mph)... almost 10 years ago, in 2004!
Now, the Sunday race is definitely worth watching as a fierce battle is to be expected. Marquez is leading Lorenzo by 39 points and a victory here will push the title even further out of the reigning champion's reach.
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