MARCH 18, 2002

Malaysians launch Formula Malaysia

THE Malaysian Minister of Youth and Sport Datuk Hisammuddin Tun Hussein launched Formula Malaysia in January and the first event was held at Sepang on Sunday. The series, which features Formula Suzuki Hayabusa cars, supplied by Suzuki in Japan, is designed to encourage the development of motorsport in Malaysia, spurring young drivers to compete, sponsors to fund and teams to be established so that Malaysia can build up its motor racing infrastructure. The cars are fitted with the local Silverstone brand of tires.

The first race was won by Malaysian driver Rizal Ashram Ramli although the field was made up of 10 Japanese and only five locals. Twenty-five year old Rizal is the son of Deputy Transport Minister Ramli Ngah Talib.