KL MotoPark

We are a proud host to the world’s biggest motoring events like the F1, A1, MotoGP, and Japan GT. Other than being visual spectacles, they keep Malaysia on the global map as a fast-developing third world country. However, little money has been allocated for actual cultivation of motor sports at the national and club (mass) level.

It’s important to understand firstly that motor sports does not only serve the purpose of creating champions and turning someone into the next Michael Schumacher. The foremost function, like any other sport, is recreational. Humans need to exert or push themselves to feel alive; this compels them to indulge in sporting activities. It’s a basic requirement.

The second function of motorsports is marketing and development. Motor sports contributes to automotive technology and improvements when more and more enthusiasts begin to show flair and innovativeness to remain competitive – from drivers to tuners to teams. The fact that it supports a multi-billion dollar automotive industry and is the second-most watched sport on the planet makes it a very unique and powerful activity.

With this obvious reality, one would think it would be beneficial to cultivate and spur development on the local front to raise the bar on domestic capacity-building. Instead, the opposite is happening here in Malaysia. We are marred by familiar and shallow comments like “berlumba tidak mendatangkan faedah” (racing is of no use).

Let’s reflect for a minute – we’re living in a country where almost half a million cars are sold each year (with 10 million road users), and 15 automotive manufacturers, 26 road builders (ie, toll collectors) and thousands of automotive-related businesses collectively amassing an estimated RM7 billion each year. These guys gain immensely from the country’s transportation needs with their products but prefer to ignore its by-products (ie, street racing, speeding, lack of recreational facilities, etc).

Ask ourselves, why is road safety a big problem? How systematic are the initiatives to address illegal racing in our country? How much has the private sector done to counter these problems which we see on our roads today? On average, one out of 16 drivers tests the limits of his vehicle on public roads. Out of our nine million road users, that’s an estimated 600,000 road deviants in Malaysia.

We should be annoyed at the fact that instead of being proactive and tapping into human’s natural progression, we choose to punish motoring ‘deviants’ in our country. Instead, we should create favourable conditions (ie, more racing circuits and motor sports parks), provide more training and strategize on how to harness the overwhelming interest (generated mainly by us hosting the F1).

Malaysians should be proud to have a huge number of enthusiasts despite not having sufficient facilities.It’s important to begin by establishing the idea that treating them receptively and engaging them mean empowering them - productively.

Remember the days of Super Saga and Saturday night races in Batu Tiga? Tens of thousand flocked to the circuits to see the competitive nature of our urban youth and their tuned machines. We had talents, tuners, sponsors and supporters all playing their roles within a healthy community. Until today, there are still many who don’t realize the Batu Tiga racing circuit ceased to exist more than eight years ago. What about the community?

While the government takes its time on this matter, the private sector needs to wake up. It’s reasonable to expect all transport industry players to pay for, or contribute towards, facilities, infrastructure or programmes for the motoring industry.

While some parts of motoring are the government’s responsibility, others like road safety initiatives, driver-training for Handling particular vehicles or road conditions, and equipping them with additional skills should be undertaken as the industry’s contribution to society and to motoring. They can’t be allowed to just take and not give anymore. It’s basic corporate responsibility.

Moreover, merely adding airbags or highway guardrails to their product doesn’t cut it anymore. In today’s world, corporations are expected to go beyond such technological accessories and get on the ground to make a difference. And to get their hands dirty instead of sitting in their comfy offices.

What about providing recreational facilities for the vehicles that they put out there? A car is not just transport. Car manufacturers should know – they build and sell sports cars, recreational vehicles, SUVs, 4-WDs, and loads of accessories. Obviously, recreation is a large part of motoring; but why can’t they help provide the appropriate facilities? Otherwise, why do they sell sports cars at all? Isn’t this irresponsible?

The others in the industry like automotive suppliers and toll collectors need to take some responsibility as well. Whether they build highways or sports rims, some customers will use them for racing or speeding – they know this. And they make tons of money from motorists but choose to give next to nothing back. Some car companies in Malaysia pour loads of money into the Sepang F1 event but totally ignore helping local racers and events. And only one oil company is spending significantly on motor sports locally.

These companies are behind time if they don’t realise that gone are the days when corporate responsibility ends at handing a mock cheque to a charity (which is the bare minimum that many don’t even do). In fact, it’s disheartening to note that within the eight objectives of the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), not one mentions road safety or corporate responsibility.

In a world where corporate responsibility is expected of (at least) large corporations and multinationals, motoring companies in Malaysia need to take the lead and provide at least very accessible and very affordable motor sports arenas, where all types of training programmes and recreational motorsports will be available for the public at large.

It need not cost much and can be self-sustaining or even profit-making, so long as a good management team is in place and targeted clientele are the masses. This could reduce illegal street racing, nurture motor sports talents, give the local tuning industry a Boost, and assist in driver training.

Within this facility, driver training programmes and initiatives to nurture motor sports talents (including the engineering side) can be undertaken. Grassroots motor sports can take hold and grow at its own pace.

This would not only consolidate the fragmented motor sports scene, it would also be the right step towards a mature motoring industry and responsible motoring. And hopefully, help reduce the atrocious death toll on our roads, which costs the country 6,000 lives annually.