Motorsport in Malaysia by AAM

Motorsports has been long established in our country and we have successfully organised many events of world status like the FIM Road Racing Grand Prix World Championship from 1991 onwards, the FIM Superbike World Championship, the FIM Endurance World Championship, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, FIA ASIA Pacific Rally and the FIA Formula One World Championship Championship from 1999 onwards.

In the International Motorsports arena, the Automobile Association of Malaysia is affiliated to Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and Commission Internationale de Karting-FIA (CIK-FIA) as their representative and controlling body in Malaysia. The functions of the controlling bodies are as follows:

FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile)
The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile is an international organisation grouping together automobile clubs from all over the world which have joined together in order to better carry on their activities and to defend their common cause, motor cars. The body in which the supreme authority of the FIA is invested is its General Assembly, at which each affiliated country has a vote. The Sporting Power in matters of motor sport, with which the FIA is invested, has its origin in the pooling of powers held by each ASN (National Sporting Authority) in its own country. This power is therefore common property.

FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme)
Founded in 1904, the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme is an international organisation, which was created to control and develop the sporting and touring aspects of motorcycling and to assist motorcycle users in those fields.
The FIM as defined in the statutes is the supreme and sole international authority empowered to control international motorcycling activities organised under its jurisdiction throughout the world and as such acts as the supreme court for the settlement of disputes which may arise from the organisation of such activities. The official titles of World Championships, Continental Championships and FIM Prize events in all disciplines of the motorcycle sport belong to the FIM.

CIK-FIA (Commission Internationale de Karting-FIA)
The CIK-FIA, (Commission Internationale de Karting-FIA) which was founded in 1962, is an association governed by its statutes and by articles 60 of the Swiss Civil Code. The objective of the Commission Internationale de Karting - FIA is to establish links between its members principally with a view to:

• Ensuring unity in the Karting movement and safeguarding the material and moral interests of Karting in all countries.
• Fostering the development of the practice of Karting, safety and helping to improve the environment.
• Fostering the development of the sport of Karting and ensuring respect of the common rules applicable to the organisation and running of Karting competitions.
• etc.

MAM's the Word

Motorsport Association of Malaysia (MAM) has been established for the purpose of developing and growing motorsport in Malaysia.

This national organisation will assist clubs, event organisers, officials, competitors, commercial operators and sponsors to ensure the future growth of motorsport in its many disciplines.

Tips for Saving Money at the Gas Pump

Here are some tips from the US Federal Trade Commission that should put a few extra dollars in your wallet.

Super Retard on the Loose!

Like most urban dwellers, commuting to and from work can be quite a chore, sitting behind the wheels staring at the back of someone’s car, wishing it would all ‘magically’ disappear.

Short of using the imaginary magic wand, Aprilia has come up with its latest version of a magic carpet ride that would actually make you look forward to daily commuting.

2006 F1 Regulation Changes for 2006 Part 2

Continued from Part 1.

Talking about tyres, spectators also will get to see more exciting and thrilling races this year after FIA announced the re-introduction of mid-race tire changing after many high-profile tire related incidences were recorded in 2005.

Among them, Kimi Raikkonen’s final lap shunt at Nurburgring, Renault’s excessive tyre-wear in Monaco, Williams’ triple tyre failures during the Turkish GP, and the infamous withdrawal of Michelin-shodded teams from the United States Grand Prix.

The switch to 2.4-litre V8 engines is also understood to have facilitated the return of tyres stops, as FIA is satisfied that speeds will be reduced sufficiently to allow for greater performance from the tyres. Each driver however, is limited to 14 sets of tyres per race weekend; 7 dry, 4 wet and 3 extreme weather tyres. The tyre change rule would also appear to be more damaging to Michelin, as it has coped much better with last year's one set per race rules.

“It's not looking too bad, to phrase it carefully,” Schumacher said recently. “Or, to phrase it a little less careful: there are many things pointing in a good direction. Tire changes may be helpful in some ways, but it won't make us champion. But I think we will be able to rule out some things now that made life hard for us last season; for instance having next to no rubber on our tires during the final laps, and consequently being much too slow.”

A new qualifying format will also be introduced, doing away with the dreaded single lap qualifying. In October 2005, FIA had secured teams’ agreement to switch qualifying to the knockout format from the start of the 2006 season. Cars will no longer go out for individual laps, but will all enter the track at the same time, trying to record the fastest timed lap. Two 15-minute sessions will each see the five slowest cars eliminated, leaving 10 cars to fight for pole in a final 20-minute open session.

Toyota Technical Director, Mike Gascoyne explains: “We've got the first two sessions where we have to go out and do a time, and in the third we're going to want to be out lapping because we want to bring the fuel level down. And then with two minutes to go, everyone's going to be diving into the pits for quick tyre changes. I think it will be pretty hectic!”

All in all, the early part of the season will prove to be pivotal for most team’s championship aspirations. Teams that have got their overall package sorted in terms of reliability and performance vis-à-vis the changes in regulations will undoubtedly benefit the most. Cost or safety concerns, ultimately, Formula One in 2006 will only be better for motor racing fans like you and me.

As Cosworth's Managing Director, Tim Routsis puts it: “As far as the fans are concerned, they are in for a very exciting start to the season because I cannot remember an occasion in the last ten years or so where the rule changes have been as fundamental as they are this year.” Indeed it will.

Words By Kamarul Aznam

Starting 'Em Young

As competition heats up, the acceptable age for a world champion these days has sharply reduced.

If racers were crowned champions in their 40s during the 1950s and 60s, world champions nowadays can be as young as 18 as proven by Valentino Rossi when he first won the 125cc world motorcycle championship in 1997.

Taking Calculated Risk in Motorsports

Man’s quest to conquer the elements knows no boundaries. Be it on the streets, on the track or off the road, racing will always continue to propel humans to achieve the impossible.

Racing as a Business Strategy

The concept of racing as the most ideal business strategy is more or less the same all around the world.

A successful racing team that have racers constantly finishing on the podium will command more media coverage, providing tangible return on investment for the sponsor's advertising dollar. 

Motorsports as a Career

Career as a racer can be very rewarding. But more often than not, budding racers are immediately discouraged with the fact that motor racing involves a lot of money.

This is true no matter what form of racing one decides to venture, in any part of the world.

This is where the individual needs to work hard to source for funds and maintain a good succession of involvement in motorsports.

Illegal Racing in Malaysia

Aside from four-wheels, the most popular form of racing in Malaysia is motorcycle racing.

Sadly however, it is also with the highest number of casualties since many would prefer illegal street racing than a proper track meet.

To address this concern, AAM has sanctioned a popular underbone racing series called the Malaysian Cub Prix Championship.