Asian Motor Sports

THE Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) strongly believes that its formation and activities are done within the laws of Malaysia and not governed by those set by international motorsports bodies.

Thus, the question of MAM’s duties overlapping with that of the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) does not arise, said Motorsports Commission of Malaysia (MCM) chairman Datuk Azman Yahya.

“The AAM, as an affiliate of the FIA (International Automobile Association) and FIM (International Motorcycling Federation), subscribes to their respective constitutions,” said Azman yesterday.

He said while FIA and FIM statutes cover AAM’s affiliates and members, do not have the intention of impeding programmes and activities done by others.

MAM chief executive Peter Hansen said the powers as a national sporting association (ASN) is given to AAM by the FIA and FIM, but the international bodies cannot affect the same powers on matters done within the constitution of a country.

“The sporting code of the FIA and FIM regulates their members and cannot apply to those who are not. Their regulations also govern their sport internationally and cannot interfere with matters done within the constitution of a country,” said Hansen.

“Article 2 of the FIA international sporting code also states that its purpose is to encourage and facilitate the sport and it will never be enforced so as to prevent or impede a competition or participation of a competitor providing it is done in a safe and orderly manner.”

The MAM, which was launched on Wednesday, became the centre of an issue over the overlapping of AAM’s duties, as the latter has already been the governing body for motorsports in the country since 1932.

Azman reiterated there had been discussions with the AAM for over a year aimed at cooperation, but AAM had declined to be part of the MCM’s plans for MAM, particularly development at the grassroots level.

“The MCM was formed to look into this area as the Government saw that despite spending so much money in bringing Formula One and other big events here, the country wasn’t getting the spin-off it wanted,” said Azman.

“This was why we came into the picture. And we would prefer to focus on the programmes and the measures we have taken to make the sport more accessible.”

The MAM will begin with nationwide road shows to promote motorsports, with the objective of generating more clubs particularly outside metropolitan areas in the country.

Next year, the MCM will be launching the Motorsports Industry Association (MIA), which is another arm aimed at boosting the motorsports-related industry as part of the Government’s plans to turn the country into an international motorsports hub.