Organizers of F1 Malaysian Grand Prix want night race next year

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Organizers of Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix said Tuesday that they reckoned it a new challenge to switch the day race to night.

"After 10 years as F1 hosts, it is a natural progression for Sepang to prepare to switch to a night race and we want to do it next year if it is feasible," Sepang circuit general manager Azmi Murad told Malaysia's Star newspaper.

To do so, Malaysia will become the sport's second night race after Singapore.

Two weeks ago, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has threatened to strip Australia of the race unless organisers agree to stage it at night so European television audiences can see it live at a reasonable hour.

Melbourne's contract expires in 2010.