BF Goodrich AMF Autocross Championship Round 1
Screaming Engines and Screeching Tyres-
It was a day full of screaming engines and screeching tyres at the Sepang International Circuit yesterday (Sunday 08 August 2004), during the inaugural BF Goodrich AMF Autocross Championship Round 1. The Malaysian round of the championship got off to a good start with 23 entries tackling the 1.2 kilometre course. The competitors were made up of many newcomers, which is an encouraging sign; we dearly need more entry-level events that are relatively cheap to enter, so that motorsports can continue to grow. Also spotted were some race and rally drivers, including some ‘veterans’ who have been rallying since the 1980’s.
Being an FIA sanctioned event, participants are required to have a competition license, and use an FIA approved helmet for the event. To help newcomers, AMF made available some helmets on ‘loan’ basis to participants who didn’t have a helmet, or couldn’t afford one. “We could not help with the license, but we felt that the cost of buying an FIA approved helmet would deter some participants, so we decided to supply the helmet,” said Gary Lee, motorsports manager for Group AMF.
The event is open to all cars, no matter what the modifications, as long as they are roadworthy. At yesterday’s event, there were 5 classes open for competitors. The smallest class was the 650cc to 850cc class (for Kancils), followed by the 851cc to 1000 cc class for minis and Kelisas. The next class was the 1001cc to 1300 cc, followed by the 1301cc to 1600 cc class, the 1601cc to 1800 cc class, the 1801cc to 2000cc class, and ‘Open class’. The Open class is an overall class that can be won by any car of any capacity. A special class for sports cars is also available.
The BF Goodrich Asian Motorsports Festival is a celebration of grassroots motorsports in the region. This and other rounds to be held at various other venues in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, and Indonesia will culminate at the finals to be held at the Sepang F1 Circuit from Dec 6th to Dec 12th 2004. The top drivers from throughout the region will gather at the finals to challenge for the BF Goodrich AMF Champion crown.
“The festival finals will be something that no car and motorsports enthusiast would want to miss,” said Chris Wee, Communications director of the AMF Group. “It will be a celebration of grassroots motorsports, and in addition to the finals, we will have car shows, exotic cars on display, accessories booths, music, food, etc. It will be an event unlike any other in the past, because unlike a mere motorshow, spectators and attendees will get to actually see and hear the cars run on the Sepang track,” he added.
The event yesterday was organized with in co-operation with Kelab Kart Selangor & Wilayah Perseketuan (KKS for short), under the guiding hand of Paul David, ‘grandmaster’ of motorsports, whose experience dates back to the 1970’s, when he managed a well-known local racing team. The track, in typical autocross style, wound around the Sepang race circuit car park area, and was demarcated by cones. 1.20 kilometres in length, it was a tight circuit, but the layout favoured the more powerful cars. With a sea of orange cones in an open car park, the track was a little confusing at first, with many of the competitors ‘wrong slotting’ during the practice sessions and actual competition. Later, the organizers brought in a whole bunch of additional cones and practically lined up the whole course.
The overall winner was Marcus Chye, in a Lotus Elise, followed by his teammate, veteran rally driver Oh Kah Beng, sharing the same car. The 2000 cc class was won by Rueben Wong in a Proton Satria Gti from the Rally & Research Division of Proton, closely followed by Joe Chan in a YS Khong prepared Putra. In the 1800 cc class, Hammond Lai took honours in his very fast Honda Civic. The 1600 cc class win went to Chong Chee Wah, who drove well in his Satria, while Ian Khong walked away with the 1300 cc title in a little Suzuki Swift Gti.
The next round of the BF Goodrich AMF championship will be held at the Esplanade Fort Cornwallis, Penang, on 21st and 22nd August 2004. Interested parties can find out more about this event from Gary Lee, at 03-20314066, or log onto www.asianmotorsportsfestival.com
