[kymehallion]

The word on the street is that to get a SG Licence 3 local race's must be completed before you can race outside Singapore, Does anyone know if this is true. If this is the case a proper safe Karting track should be build using CIK rules, I feel the new track is not safe for racing only for fun karting or training or is this to make money and stop Sg holders from racing in Malaysia ?

[Aaron]

that's quite normal, you must complete X amount of local races on a national licence before you can gain an international licence.

[guyermer]

Last year SMSA issued restricted international licenses that let Singapore based drivers race 3 races in Malaysia before being able to qualify for an unrestricted international license. This was done because Singapore had no national races.

This year singapore is running a national series of its own so it has done away with the restricted international license and is only issuing national licenses to those
who have not raced before. Once you have raced 3 races you are eligible to upgrade your license to a full international.

This year RMC will be accepting these national licenses so you can do 3 rounds at the RMC and then upgrade to an international license.

So this is not a problem anymore.

[ace]

As Aaron said, that is normal in all parts of the world for one to have to compete in a set number of their local races before being allowed to take part in foreign ones. In my opinion, even if the organizers of the malaysian series, or any other foreign to singapore series for that matter, allow the national licenses, it would be irresponsible on the part of the SMSA to sign the release forms for them. Does SMSA know of this arrangement Guy?

From what I have heard from my karting friends in Singapore, they allowed that before as there was no national series at that time. That is understandable or else Singapore motorsport would go nowhere. From what I understand, the Singaporean caucasian karting community has been the most vocal about SMSA and singapore karting in general not doing much to develop the sport. Now that you have a local track (albeit a small one), you are still complaining about them. At least give them some support for their efforts and not "boycott" the whole event. Surely you can't expect them to build a track like Macau right from the start can you? (given the high cost of land in Singapore as well) Give them the time and support for them to develop.

I was at the recent endurance race that was held at the track as a spectator following a friend who was racing and frankly, I was not surprised to not see a BlackDog team there. But I was surprised to see that the AKOC racers such as Andersen Martono and Joshua Goh there. People like Joshua Goh has been to the international finals before and are still appreciative of the track and the race (although there could be some improvements) but you guys who started operations only last year in Malaysia only are already so "cocky" (pardon my use of words). Even the formula BMW driver Suriya Bala was there to race as well as professional single seater and stock car racers Hafiz Koh and Denis Lian. Last year's formula BMW champion Rio Haryanto was also there albeit only to watch the race. The track I know has very little run off and all that nonsense but come on, F1 drivers race in Monaco, Valencia and Singapore and they don't complain about the lack of run off. You have raced in Pekan I believe. At least there is grass here and not just barriers. Good drivers are able to adapt to all sorts of tracks and be fast, not just those tracks that are very forgiving.

I know I have said quite a bit and maybe deviated a bit but the main point of my message is: support SMSA and help to develop Singapore Karting (isn't that what you WANTED?) Stop complaining about all the policies that they are trying to implement. If everyone just goes to Malaysia and race then what's there for interested racers to see? A bunch of mediocres racing in the national series? They will think race karting is as good as the ones you see in theme parks! How do you encourage youngsters to get into karting that way? Show off your Jack McGregor and your team to Singapore. Only then will Singapore karting really develop to the next level. It's all in the youngsters my friend.

Cheers

[guyermer]

As far as i know the SMSA and the AAM have worked together on the acceptance of the national race licenses in Malaysia. For more information you may want to call the SMSA directly +65 62277889.

Blackdog was set up to help Singapore based drivers go racing and to that end we have been quite successful. We dont discriminate based on ethnic background or ability. If you want to take part we will help you or show you how to get involved. Our primary focus is to get people participating in events regardless where they are held. We have helped numerous people to go racing. Some of those people have started their own teams or left us to pursue bigger racing plans. These people are like seeds. Each one helping to grow the singapore karting community and spreading the message.

I applaude the efforts of the Kart Right owners. Jude Benny and Allan Teo are to be commended on a (seemingly impossible) job well done. They have built a track that has elevated the sport in singapore to new levels and re-ignited interest. This is a great first step, but even the owners will admit the track needs to be longer and conform to FIA/CIK rules before we can race international standard races at the location. Its not that they didnt want to build an international track they were constrained by the amount of land available to them.

The SMSA has certified the Kart Right track safe to race a national series. They have (according to my discussion with Allan Teo) had to make some minor changes but the track is now ready to host the national series. Black Dog will be attending this series and is happy to support anyone who would like to get involved. We are also in discussions about hosting a Rotax series at Kart Right. If we are able to get this finalized singapore will have a healthy racing scene that in conjunction with RMC, AKOC etc will produce some good drivers.

As we cant race every race on the calendar we have chosen to specialize in Rotax Events and thats where our focus is. We were going to attend William's endurance event but unfortunately logistical issues and the time of the year (christmas) made it impossible for some of us to attend. Going forward i (personally) would like to join in. The last one looked like a lot of fun and was well organized.

As a team we are happy to race at any event provided it doesn't clash with RMC and provided the team members choose to take part.

[kymehallion]

It was a question about the new rule ! and yes Aaron is right You should drive in a local national series before get a Int Licence and Singapore does need support to develop Singapore Karting.

[JohnKing6]

The really odd thing about this debate is that actually there's no such thing as an International licence for under 15 year old drivers. So, the "International" licences issued by ASMs in some Asian countries are really only national licences with an implied agreement by the ASM that the competitor can race overseas if the organiser of that event accepts the licence (which they can with National licences as well). Irrespective of the licence type, drivers must get a clearance letter from their ASM to compete outside their country so, in fact, the two licences are basically the same thing.

But, that aside, we should all support all the efforts in Singapore to build up the karting community there - both the local races and helping Singapore based drivers race elsewhere - particularly Malaysia because it easy - because races and competition are the only way to build up experience.

A compromised I suggested to some Singapore based drivers who were concerned about the National licence issue was to ask the Singapore ASM to continue with the old policy of issuing International licences for one more year - to give everyone a chance to continue with their current plans while the Singapore series builds up. For 2011 the policy of only giving clearances once 3 local races have been competed in can be applied.

It seems now that the issue is a dead one anyway - The Malaysian Rotax organiser has already stated that the Singapore National licences can be used and the SL Cup organiser is doing the same so as long as the drivers get clearance from the Singapore ASM there's no problem. As a team manager in Malaysia with strong connections to Singapore, I'm encouraging all the people I know to compete in the Singapore races but also come to Malaysia to race. Higher participation levels benefit everyone - the drivers, the teams and the promoters so we should all work together to do this rather than worry about who competes where.