NEWS

NEW FACES IN THE CLUBMAN CATEGORY

The Malaysian Rally Championship held last weekend, 28-29 June 2008 at Kuantan, Pahang attracted two more new comers taking the overall total of new comers to eight under the MAM's Competitors Incentive Programme.

MAM offers RM1,500 to each of the new drivers for each of the remaining rounds this year. The incentive is given in stages based on the completion. The initial RM500 is given to Wheel Sports Malaysia for the entry fees, another RM500 is given during the start of the event and the balance RM500 is given once the teams complete the participated race.

The efforts of the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) to attract newcomers to compete in rally is beginning to pay off. The following drivers have benefitted from this scheme; Abdul Ghafar Alias-Mohd Radidi, Amir Ahmad-Azhan Arshad, Asmir Abu Bakar-Mohd Yuseri Talib, Azizul Jamin-Rohasreen Abu Hassan, Kancana Nanda Kumar-Dzainurhayati Mohd Daud, Roduwan Rashid-Musa Sabarudin, Nurul Effendi Abd Tharim-Mohd Faiz Halimi Hassan and Nor Hisyam Ismail-Arifuddin Asari. Each of the team consists of two individual, the driver as well as a co-driver with a clubman entry licence from MAM/AAM. The incentive is available for private entries whom are Malaysian citizens aged between 18-35 years.

"We can accommodate another two more drivers this season to compete in the MRC. In total MAM has allocated RM75,000 under MAM's rally incentive programme. In 2009, we will consider increasing the numbers to ensure more drivers benefits from this scheme," said Mia Sharizman Ismail, Chief Executive of MAM.

According to Nor Hisyam, "I am so pleased and thankful to MAM for the benefits given, the RM1,500 covers part of the expenses incurred. Although this is my 1st rally event, I think I did well and looking forward for the upcoming event in August for a better finish position".

Abdul Ghaffar Alias and team mate Mohd Rafidi managed to finish 1st in the Clubman category leaving all the other newcomers far behind. Abdul Ghaffar hopes to maintain the position in the next round too.

"The number of new drivers participating in rally has been very low. We hope that through this incentive programme, more new drivers will be encouraged to participate in the MRC. We have also started a new TV Reality Show called "Malaysia Next Rally Champion" to be aired on ASTRO from October in search for new talents below the age of 30 years old," commented Tengku Shaharin Abu Bakar, the Director of Wheel Sport Management.

The MAM's Competitors' Incentive Programme for the MRC is aimed at increasing the pool of new drivers coming into the sport. With the government's aim of hosting a round of the World Rally Championship, it is necessary that more local drivers are developed. As part of MAM's objective, the sports development program is designed to assist exceptional talent reaching the top of the chosen discipline. Interested to learn more about the incentive programme, please contact MAM at 03-7622 8000.

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