[ace]

Taking in some of the buzz from the Yamaha SL Cup round 1 last weekend, I realized that the AMC round 2 in Surabaya and SL Cup round 2 clashes next weekend. From what I heard, the interest in the Surabaya race isn't too much and there should be a good turnout for SL Cup round 2. I may seem like I am rubbing salt into James Leong's wound as he tried to encourage people to join the AMC to "take on the KF" but I'm not. I am just trying to encourage organisers to work together even though they have differences as far as I know. Probably the AMC should have been held may be 1 or 2 weeks later so that both races can have good participation.

Well, this cannot be changed so close to the race but maybe for the next races. The next clash that I see is the June race of RMC in Sepang and AKOC in Philippines. From what I know, there are more Malaysians interested to race in AKOC this year, especially from the Juniors. Perhaps James Leong should move his race 1 week before AKOC in order to get full participation. It is a win-win situation for both parties. Sometimes we just got to think logically and put our differences aside.

Another one would be in July between AKOC in Macau and Sl Cup in Melaka. Maybe the SL cup organisers (not sure who) should move their race 1 week before too.

Just some food for thought.

[Mikko Nassi]

It is a shame that with good turnouts in several series' the events aren't on different weekends. Every effort is made to stick to the original calendar and changes are only one when they are unavoidable - and when a change is forced it usually ends up clashing with some other event anyway.

AKOC had their calendar quite early (i think just after rmc) and might not have been able to avoid some clashes - they also have to work their calendar around their Philippines events.

The calendars are worked out avoiding certain other races/dates, and for the malaysian RMC it has to avoid all other KKS events as well (autocross etc) - so moving an event one week earlier isn't as simple as it sounds - in some cases another club would have to be brought in to organise the event which would obviously be incredibly difficult.

Yamaha was last to get their calendar in and I do believe that they managed to avoid all Rotax Malaysia events - but the one Indonesia Max event they couldnt. Its a shame because it means less entries for both.

As with the Rotax event in Indonesia the non-macau events for AKOC dont seem to attract much participation from Malaysian/other foreign drivers. And the entries they usually attract largely aren't doing the other series anyway - not sure if this year is somehow very different compared to last year. Of course even 1 extra entry is great but you probably end up losing more entries by changing the date than you do by avoiding the clash - which is the main issue with changing dates - people that are entering the event will have blocked off the date and likely cant make it a week earlier/later,

There is no reason to purposely make events clash - when they do clash it has most likely been unavoidable or the organisers felt that the other series doesn't take away from their entries to make it worthwhile for them to move it to a less favorable date. For the Yamaha/akoc clash it does look like yamaha could make a change - but again you have to realise theyve probably chosen that date for a reason.

Dont forget the Formula BMW series calendar - clashing with that would be just as bad for entries as clashes between AKOC/rmc and SL/AKOC for example.

[James Leong]

This is in reply to ace'c comments.

My race dates were sent to AAM and inscribed with CIK as early as end October 2009. I have to stress here that we are always the first promoter to inscribe our events. If another promoter inscribe their events later and it clashes with ours, then it is only courtesy that they change the dates and not me. I followed the CIK regulations in doing what was required of me to meet deadlines. Others who don t follow, expect me to change my dates? That's a little bit difficult to swallow, isn't it?

Personally, I think karters ought to decide what races they want to race in and then follow the dates for the races. I would not change my dates as I am allowing those who have made their request for leave as well as plan their holidays on those dates. I knew how much problems when race dates are changed. I have promised my supporters that once I have inscribed a date, I will not change it unless there is a major problem attached to it.

I would like to inform ace, that promoting an event is not easy. Even when you have done your best, there is still one in the crowd who thinks that it was not good enough for him. I am not doing this to seek glory but just that I have to run the series if I am to remain as a Rotax distributor. Also I love karting above all other motorsports and that's why I am putting my personal money as well as time in getting the event going. Frankly, if someone can do a better job, please by all means talk to me. I would be happy to allow them to run the RMC series.

I do not want to comment about other events. What they do is their business but I would like to stress here that if any promoter wants to sit down and work together, I am all for it. We should be thinking about promoting the sport and developing the drivers. Not promoting it for the money that will go back to the pockets!!!

James Leong
RMC/AMC Promoter

[Paul Halliday]

Reply to ACE
Ace i follow this site quite often and i know James posted the AMC Series very early and it seems these other guys wait until the last minute and then post there series. That is where the clashes start. It is not easy to organize a Series and James does a good job. As James says chose a series and race in it.
Those who cannot make Surabaya will miss a great weekend.
For a change James i agree we should be promoting Drivers and the Sport, not self interest groups.
See you in Surabaya