MAM hopeful motorsports will be given approval to begin soon

PETALING JAYA: No spectators, no media, no food catering and no prize-giving ceremony during competitions.

These are among the interesting points contained in the new standard operating procedures (SOPs) that have been handed over to the National Security Council (NSC) to deliberate on in the hope that an approval is given to resume competitions.

NSC may decide today whether non-contact sports, including motorsports, will be allowed to hold competitions, and on allowing contact sports training like football and rugby.

All form of sporting competitions have stopped since the movement control order started in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) have drawn up four main areas where the new SOPs will be in place.

The four areas cover entry to the track, inside the track, onsite briefing and during the running of the event itself.

They have also proposed for Sepang International Circuit to be the first to hold any competitions as it is a closed track before eventually granting the same go-ahead for outdoor tracks.

The Malaysian Championship Series (two and four wheels), the Malaysian Cub Prix Championships (two wheels) and the national go-kart races will be the testing ground for the resumption of motorsports competitions in the country.

MAM president Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir is hopeful that approval will be given to the proposals soon to allow the motorsports industry to spring back to life.

“We will not allow more than 10 participants to gather together at any time and everyone involved must adhere to the social distancing measures as currently practised in the new norm,” said Mokhzani.

“The restrictions cover not just the drivers but also the crew members, medical team, race marshals and engineers.

“We have tested out the new SOPs in practice sessions.

“The plan is for domestic competitions only and it might not be put into effect immediately as we need time to plan things out first,” he said.

International competitions will not be possible for the time being due to the travel restrictions in place in the country and around the world due to the coronavirus pandemic.