Bernie Ecclestone’s plans for more Asian based night races has taken another step backwards as organisers of the Malaysian Grand Prix announced that there will be no night race at their circuit, at least until 2015.

Like Melbourne, Australia, the promoters and the Malaysian Government were encouraged to considered a night race to better fit in with peak TV viewing times in Europe.

Sepang Circuit Spokesperson Irwan Rahman said that installing a lighting system to illuminate the circuit, at a cost estimated of around USD$5.77 million, was too expensive, and there was no guarantee that it would increase the revenue.

Like Melbourne, Malaysia has agreed to move the start time of the race to later in the day putting the race into an early morning time-slot in Europe.

Speaking to AFP Sepang Circuit manager Mokhzani Mahathir said that Bernie Ecclestone had assured him that the issue will not be raised again. “I informed him that we’re facing an economic crisis and there is no guarantee a night race would draw any more people to the circuit,” he said.

The Malaysian race has struggled to attract large crowds of locals but is becoming increasingly popular with overseas visitors including many Australian race fans who regard it as being better value for money than the Australian race at Albert Park.

The Malaysian Grand Prix is the second round of this year’s World F1 title and will be run April 5th.