KUALA LUMPUR – The tragic death of drag racer Muhamad Hafez Jamal Jamaluddin could have been avoided if the Battle of the Kings (BOTK) 2022 race event followed the required safety regulations stipulated by the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM).
In a joint statement by MAM-sanctioned motorsports clubs, they said if the race was done with the right safety precautions in place, things would have been less devastating.
“The strict safety regulations for a proper and sanctioned motorsports event under these regulations cover such critical areas that could have reduced the risk of a severe accident.
“These include circuit design and safety, medial and safety personnel planning, emergency response planning, vehicle and driver safety equipment, and safety scrutineering and procedures,” they said.
The clubs said the general permit application procedure should have been complied for the event to have taken place in a safe and organised manner.
Although there is no official standard operating procedure for applying and receiving a motorsports event permit in Malaysia, they said the universal modus operandi for organising an officially-sanctioned racing event places the MAM Event Permit as the priority document before the Sports Commission.
BOTK 2022 was organised by MUSC Motorsport.
“Only with these two permits will the local police and town council release their event approvals.
“Race events approved by MAM may only be organised and managed by organising clubs that are officially affiliated and sanctioned to do so by the association.
“Those not affiliated with MAM will need to engage with clubs that are familiar with the safety requirements in order to run any large-scale motorsports events in the country.
“Bodies and organisations that build and develop motorsports facilities should be in touch with MAM to ensure that the venue is constructed and built according to the minimum required standards in order to run a safe motor racing event,” they said.
The clubs added that these standards are not necessarily costly but can greatly reduce the risk of grievous injury and event organisers should work hand-in-hand with MAM to improve event safety in the case where a circuit operator may not be able to upgrade their facilities to meet the minimum requirements.
“We want to implore that motorsports regulations especially that of safety is to be taken seriously by all parties.
“Unlike many other general physical sports, lack of compliance does not only affect sportsmanship and fairness but could lead to serious injury and, in extreme cases, the loss of life.
“We hope that this incident will serve as an eye-opener to all bodies involved in motorsports and request that standard approval criteria and procedures be officially developed and enforced to safeguard the limbs and lives of motorsports participants in future events.
“We hope that government bodies, event organisers, and motorsports participants can come to understand that MAM regulations and sanctioning exist for the safety of all participants and personnel involved in motorsports events in the country.
“Let us not accept that Hafez’s life was lost in vain, but for it to be the catalyst to stimulate change and improvement in the realm of Malaysian motorsports.”
Hafez died after sustaining serious injuries after he lost control of his drag car and crashed into a tree near the track at the Terengganu Motor Circuit, Gong Badak.
The MAM-sanctioned clubs were represented by MSF Motorsports Club, Integrated Motorsports Club, Mines Motorsports Club, Pocket Bike Association of Malaysia, Millennium Motorsports and Adventure Club, BRAAAP Motorsports Club, and Advance Motorsports Club. – The Vibes, October 19, 2022.
