‘Fastest interveners in the world’

With new cars, drivers dash to keep Sepang Grand Prix safe

SEPANG: An accident occurs during the Grand Prix sending a race car straight into a tyre wall, causing the driver to be pinned in his car.

The marshals wave yellow flags signalling danger on the track and the safety car is deployed.

The Fast Intervention Vehicle (FIV) speeds down the track with doctors and paramedics inside heading to the scene.

Although such an incident has not occurred so far, these are the unsung heroes who work in the background to ensure the safety of the drivers and spectators at the track.

For veteran race driver Nor Adzan Hashim (pic), 50, being behind the wheel of one of the FIV’s was a challenging job.

“For one it is a normal road going car which is fitted with medical equipment.

“I am responsible for getting my team of doctors and paramedics to the scene as fast and safe as possible,” he said at the circuit recently.

He said the new Honda Civic Turbo cars they were using this year were the fastest FIVs in the world.

Meanwhile Mohamad Jamal Baksu, 44, said although there have not been any major incidents in the 19 years that Formula 1 has been hosted in Sepang, he was proud to be part of the race.

“We do our job on the sidelines, but they are important jobs,” he said.

Mohamad Jamal and Nor Adzan not only drive the cars but are also certified paramedics.

“We also have to assist in rescue or extrication work once we are at the scene,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Firdaus Mohd Hashim, 39, said they also doubled up as safety car drivers for the support races during the race weekend.

“That is some of the more challenging work I have done so far.

“The support races use dedicated race cars and we are supposed to keep up with them and set a safe pace if we are deployed,” he said.

Chief Medical Officer Major General Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Zin Bidin said that 50 doctors and 150 paramedics have gone through intensive one week training for the race.

“We have 15 class A ambulances, four FIVs, four small car ambulances, three extrication teams and two air ambulances on standby during the race weekend,” he said.

All three drivers will be on standby for the final Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit.

The race will start at 3pm tomorrow.