ALOR STAR: The Youth and Sports Ministry will set up a motor sports fund to finance the training of potential drivers and riders.
Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein said there were many young drivers with potential in the sport but due to lack of financial support, could not have the proper training to represent the country in world-level competitions.
He was speaking during the launching of the National Motor Sports Month 2003 here yesterday.
Hishammuddin said the Government had various plans to help promote the sports, including setting up a motor sports branch at the ministry as well as a motor sports training centre and academy.
These were some of the proposals in the 10-year plan to promote the sports.
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RAPT AUDIENCE: Frentzen (left) and Heidfeld talking with students from Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid during a 'game session' with them Saturday. |
Other plans included the promotion of motor sports in universities and colleges and a training programme on handling the machines.
“We want to ensure that in 10 years' time, the country can produce well-trained and knowledgeable riders and drivers and also local experts who can handle machines professionally and efficiently,” he said.
The launch of the National Motor Sports Month yesterday provided a rare opportunity for thousands of Kedahans to watch the latest Petronas F1 car – the Sauber Petronas C22 – driven before their eyes.
Sauber-Petronas drivers Nick Heidfeld and Heinz-Harald Frentzen drew cheers from the crowd when they took turns to drive the car several laps round a 1km circuit cutting through parts of the Darulaman Stadium grounds, Lebuhraya Darulaman and Jalan Stadium.
The demonstration included pit stops during which the Sauber-Petronas crew swiftly changed all four tyres of the car and refuelled the vehicle in less than 10 seconds.
World rally champion (Group N) Karamjit Singh showed off his superb handling of the 4WD Proton rally car during his five laps of the circuit.
There were also a touring car demonstration by Farique Hanuman and Mashlino Buang from the Petronas Endurance Team and a motorcycle demonstration by Ahmad Zamani Baharuddin, Suhadi Ali Rahmat and Mohd Syahnas Shahidan from the Petronas Sprinta Racing Team.
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