[STEEL]

Congratulation to Gilbert Ang for winning the junior class even thought there is one more round to go.

The winner of each classes is suppose to be given place to compete in Japan but sadly in Gilbert case, this is not so. He was informed by the owner of the series that his did not qualify to go because he did not use a Birel to race in the SL Cup.

It is very unfair of the owner of the series to inform him he did not qualify after he had won the race.

In the first place, it was never announced nor it is in the SR that in order to qualify for a place in Japan, drivers must use Birel kart.

Wonder what, MAM, the sponsor and sanctioning body of this event have got to say about this.

[JohnKing6]

I understand that this was an oversight which the series organiser has apologised to, and compensated Gilbert for. Mistakes do happen - particularly in the early stages of developing something but it shouldn't distract from the fact we should be grateful to MAM, Ray and Richard for giving us an extra series that kids can enter into reasonably simply and cheaply and still find very competitive and close racing.

Gilbert certainly deserves congratulations for winning the championship - he's driven some brilliant races, often coming from behind and fighting his way to the front.

[STEEL]

What oversight? This is not being the first year this SL Cup was run. The main incentive for drivers to join the SL Cup is the trip to Japan. How can such a big issue of using Birel kart in order to qualify being oversight.

As for compensation, Gilbert was offered RM5,000.00 by the series owner and it is on the basis of either you take it or leave it. The amount was not something that is agreed by both parties. He had put in so much time, effort and money in the SL Cup. The amount cannot even cover the Yamaha engine he bought for the race.

[accelerate]

Congratulation Gilbert... Too bad not recognised instead being offered RM5000 as compensation. Don't think Gilbert is up to the RM5000. It's not about the $ but it is a question of integrity. Admitting mistake at the end of the season. What a joke!. You pay peanuts you get monkeys. This is what it is... "SL CUP = "Si Liau" CUP.

Sorry, when it comes to integrity... I am a bit sensitive. At the end of the day it's not about developing the sports. It's about $.

Even the Series is also a question mark. Underweight can pass scrutineering (their team of course). Luckily 1 or 2 mechanics saw it and protested. What happen to things that people don't see?

Much have been said about the other series in this forum and also in some other forums (Singapore) questioning the integrity of the scrutineers and scrutineering process by certain people.

At the end of the day, it's better to work with the "devil" you know then the "angel" that you thought you know. The "devil" we all knew still send eligible drivers to the world finals.

Malaysia Boleh...!!!!

[JohnKing6]

It's good to see that bias and paranoia is dying out in karting If we really want Malaysia Boleh, then everybody - the governing bodies, promoters, teams and drivers - all need to work together and support each other. We've got a far from perfect environment but it can only improve if everyone helps and if something goes wrong, tell the people involved face to face, preferably with a suggestion for a solution. Anonymous criticism isn't going to achieve anything.

But I do agree that awards in all series should be made very clear from the start and how, in particular, the big prizes like trips to International competitions are decided should be documented and be fair. We've now had "Gilbertgate", the (unfair) beating Guy got for his selection of Jack and I guess there might be an uproar if there is ever a situation where any Malaysian is selected to represent a country they've never raced in for a class they've never driven in before.....

[STEEL]

Yes, anonymous but constructive. This is to prevent the drivers being taken for another ride again.

How do we know what lie the series owner will tell again to the winner next year? That he did not qualify for the prize because of this or that. That he did not deserve it because he is from a different team? That he is not fit to represent Malaysia for the SL Cup?

Attractive prizes as incentive to get drivers to join the race is easy to promise but it should not be an empty promise when the race is over.

[James Leong]

I have actually wanted to refrain from writing. But being the "devil" that I am, as I assume that the name given must be me, I would like to give my thoughts on this issue.

Drivers earning a place to go to the Rotax World Finals are spelt out in the SR at the beginning of the year when the series starts. Any driver who qualifies will be entitled to the place he so earned. I strongly believe that if there are conditions tied to the driver getting his spot, it must be written in the SR or informed in an ASR. If it is not given in the SR or ASR at the beginning of the series, then the driver has a right to go because of the promise that once they earned the spot it will be given to them. You cannot tell a driver who after having earned his place that he cannot go because he is not using certain equipment or not in the same team. Legally, the driver has a case against the Promoter to make good the promise. The best way would be to bring it up to the sanctioning body to make a ruling. I believe that in this case was MAM.

I agree with what John has said. Promoters of series in Malaysia is very fragmented with each caring about their own series. This should not be the case. I am all for sitting down with all other Promoters or would be promoters to work out a way to make any series enjoyable, less expensive and benefical to the drivers. It is not difficult to do this if people involved are more open minded.

James Leong
Rotax Max Challenge series

[STEEL]

Totally agreed that MAM should make a ruling on this but what if they are not going to do it. Can AAM, main governing body of motorsports in the country and also since MAM is affiliated to them take action as they had brought disrepute to the sport.

Justice for Gilbert must be done.

The promoter of this series is not helping to grow the sport in this country but killing it through their dishonesty.

[James Leong]

Looking at the situation at the moment, the following steps should be followed in order to resolve this issue.
1. Make a representation to the promoter again to resolve this issue amicably.
2. Failing that, then make a representation to MAM on this issue.
3. If even with MAM there is no resolution, then make a representation to AAM with all the relevant information for them to take action.

Going to AAM should be your last resort as I think along the way, things can be resolved. Good Luck!

James Leong

[STEEL]

Understand that Gilbert is offer a trip to race in Japan in May 2010 after all publicity on this forum. What a load of bull shit the promoter of SL Cup is up to again. He is supposed to be in Japan for the final of the SL Cup as this is a zone event.

How can he race in Japan in May, which is one of the Japanese SL Cup round. The Japanese SL Cup is only a national event. This mean that it is only for Japanese licence holder.

Look like the promoter is trying to pull a fast one again.