MOTORSPORTS ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA (MAM) SETS SOP TO KICKSTART PHASE ONE OF LOCAL RACING SEASON

2020 has been a heavy and dark year so far many especially for motorsports, but it’s important to remember that the Covid19 pandemic situation has given the world and Malaysia a new normal in everyone’s daily life. Racing season is far from over, with F1 and MotoGP has announced a new schedule that will kick start in July 2020, and there is still plenty of racing action left. The major concern to the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) is the standard operation procedure (SOP) during races. MAM will kick start Phase One with Go-Kart racing and Cub Prix racing with strict SOP’s.

Moto America already started the season with the first race on the weekend of 29-31 May, F1 will kickstart in Austria, 3^rd-5^th July and Dorna has announced plans for a double round of MotoGP in Jerez in mid-July.

At the moment in Malaysia, the Covid19 cases has slowly diminished and Malaysian Government have announced Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) adherence to the rules as well as SOPs of the Movement Control Order (MCO), the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), and the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) have enabled the nation to move further away from the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic. This effort all have enabled the government to now introduce the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO), allowing the opening up of almost all economic sectors and additional freedoms for travel, sporting and social activities.

Still, under strict guidelines, MAM has proposed a four-phase recovery plan. The loss of earning for the local motorsports industry has gone beyond millions of Ringgit, to the teams, riders and all involved in the motorsports scene. MAM president, Tan Sri Mokhzani Tun Mahathir said in a video conference with the local media said, strict SOP’s are crucial to avoid a Motorsport Covid19 cluster, steps have been proposed to the Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Health and Domestic Ministry.

Teams can now resume training on fix tracks like Sepang International Circuit, Sepang Go-Kart Track, Elite Speedway and Tangkak Circuit in Johor.

Racing is an outdoor event, and not a contact sport, have a less risk compared to football and rugby, but its still a risk. Strict penalties will be imposed on those who don’t obey the SOPs.

So we hope to get back on track to race as soon as possible within 2-3 months, Tan Sri added.