[sprocket]

Anyone here has the full racing program for 2008? Will Max combine with KKS again for this year?

[Alex Ritchie]

As far as I know the matter is still under discussion. KKS had planned to run its own series in addition to RMC for 2008 but I don't know the progress on this.

[James Leong]

Racing Calendar for 2008. KKS and Kartmore Racing will jointly run the RMC (Malaysian) series as well as the Asia Max Challenge. KKS will also in between the months run a KKS series. That way drivers will have at least one race a month. No shortage of action and driving.

The first round of the RMC (Malaysian) series will start on 1/2 March. Round 2 on 5/6 April together with AMC round 1 at KB. Free 3 room nights for drivers, prize money and many activities as it is Visit Kelantan Year 2008. Round 3 will be on 31 May/ 1 June. Date has been pushed back one week due to the AMC round 2 will be held in Coimbatore, India. Again free hotel for 3 nights will be given to drivers, free transportation of karts to India but to be sent in a combined container from each country. Organiser will also provide free transport from hotel to track and back plus other goodies. RMC round 4 will be on 28/29 June. Again has been pushed back one week to give a breathing space for competitors. AMC Round 3 will be on 19/20 July at Saraburi, Thailand. I am now negotiating hotel and transportation of karts like India. RMC round 5 will be on 16/17 August with AMC round 4 on 18/19 October in Sentul, Indonesia.

If negotiations are met, Miri track will be homologated early this year. There will be a five rounds Borneo RMC series catering for drivers from Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak. The series will be the same as the RMC with drivers from that area scoring points. Any driver from WM going there for the race will not score points. Likewise if the drivers from Brunei/EM comes over they will not score points also. I have agreed to give one seat for that series to go to the WF. Hopefully we will be able to get licenced karting over there soon.

The above dates are now firmed and you are advised to start booking your air tickets especially to Kota Bharu. For the AMC round in Coimbatore, there is a flight by Air Lanka from Colombo to Coimbatore. I am now talking to the airline for a special rate.

Bulletin for all the races will issued out soon and will be available on the web pages.

James Leong

[Alex Ritchie]

Thanks for the info James.

Very glad to know that Sara Buri is in the AMC schedule - great race track and it'll probably mean that some of the Thai drivers will compete in all AMC rounds, meaning even better competition!

The only problem is that we have already booked our tickets for "AMC Pattaya", RMC Round 3, RMC Round 4 and "July AMC Sentul". Since these are Air Asia tickets it is cheaper for us to throw them away and buy new ones for the new dates... Dato' Tony Fernandes loves you!

[James Leong]

Alex,

Sorry about the cock up on the dates. This was not done because I favour Dato Fernandes. India spoke to me at the distributor meeting wanting to make amends to the round at Kohlapur. But they can do it in May. Thailand also agreed to host one round of the AMC but found May too soon for them. As a result I decided to do a switch.

Good news is that for Air Asia flights, if there is no change to the passenger you can change flight dates but pay a surcharge of RM50.00 per person. That way you need not throw away the tickets. You can still use them but pay the surcharge. I promised I would buy you a couple of beers to compensate you for the extra cost. So dont get angry with me. Just trying to make things happen!!

James Leong

[mym]

The India round is in Kohlapur or Caimbatore?

[Alex Ritchie]

No worries James. As I said, the AMC is much improved with the changes, that's the most important thing. We are certainly looking forward to a very competitive and exciting season.

As for Air Asia...the less said the better.

[JohnKing6]

No worries James. As I said, the AMC is much improved with the changes, that's the most important thing. We are certainly looking forward to a very competitive and exciting season.

As for Air Asia...the less said the better.

I'm looking forward to the racing but not the Air Asia travel

[James Leong]

To msm, the race in India will be at Coimbatore. Air Lanka has started a flight from Colombo to Coimbatore. I am now working on the air fares for competitors to go from KL to Coimbatore.

To John and Alex, Air Asia is the only cheap flight to Bangkok right now unless there is another airline coming up. For John, maybe you might have to take Malaysia or Thai Airlines to Bangkok.

I have already asked my travel agent to speak to Thai Airways on a deal to Bangkok for all the competitors going. If we can pool together we would be able to ask for a good deal.

James Leong

[Alex Ritchie]

I fly Air Asia almost every week and to be honest it is a very decent airline. New aircraft, good on-time performance and unbeatable prices. Just make sure you have your meal before you board!

...and there is now a direct flight from Jakarta to Bangkok, so I'll see you guys in Sara Buri for sure.

My biggest problem with AA is when you need to change flights - you need to pay the difference between the fare when you booked and when you want to change, a change fee, admin fee, fuel surcharge, etc, - so in most cases it is slightly cheaper to throw away the original ticket and buy a new one. You can do all that and it will still be cheaper than a premium ailine like MAS.

I presume AMC Round 2 (Coimbatore) will be on May 3 & 4? Will you run DD2 in all AMC rounds too?

Cheers to a great 2008 season, especially since James is buying the beers!

[James Leong]

If changing the flight cost more money, change the names so that someone else can go. But as I have said, it is very hard on the Organisers to get everything sorted out in 2007. Round 2 of AMC will be on May 3/4 the date that was suppose to be Thailand. You will note that there are very little change to the dates of AMC except a swarp of location. The last round in Indonesia will be at Sentul BUT ON 30/31 August. Please take note of this. The Indonesian organiser has slotted this date to be together with their last round of the RMC.

As promised I will buy the beers. I will arrange for a barrel to be at Saraburi, Coimbatore and Sentul. How's that Alex?

James Leong

[Alex Ritchie]

RMC Malaysia and AMC 2008 Supplementary Regulations have been sent out.

Better read them carefully or you might get a shock at the first race...