SHAH ALAM - Claims of insurance coverage for the unsanctioned drag race held on Sep 4 -- which was abruptly halted due to a participant’s tragic death -- face skepticism by those familiar with the inner workings of the motorsports scene.
The first of the two guests to air their suspicion in an episode of Sinar Daily’s Sports Matter podcast was former national MotoGP racer Shahrol Yuzy Ahmad Zaini, whose suspicion was based on the event being an unsanctioned race.
"An insurance company will only cover sanctioned events,” was Shahrol’s one-liner.
In Malaysia, Shahrol continued, the sole body authorised to sanction motorsports events is the Motosports Association of Malaysia (MAM).
"Also, in Malaysia, only RHB Bank has an insurance policy that covers motorsports racing.
"Motosports are dangerous, no other companies dare to insure it.
"Indeed, life is precious but with proper insurance coverage, if a racer gets injured and ended-up with a dissability, then at least they have some money to start a new chapter,” Shahrol said.
The drag race under scrutiny in the podcast was one held at Pekan, Pahang, that was organised by MUSC Motorsports which ended in the death of professional drag racer Hattem Rashdi.
Interestingly, last year, a fatality also occured at another unsanctioned race organised by MUSC at Gong Badak, Terengganu, when a racer crashed into a tree after reaching the finishing line.
"I would like the organiser to show proof that there is an insurance company covering their event,” said seasoned sports journalist, Arnaz M. Khairul.
Sanctioning, Arnaz continued, was not just about insurance coverage but also accountability, specifically, for participants to hold organisers responsible for oversight.
"Let’s say the family (of the deceased) is not satisfied, they can look at the report and see whether there was negligence on the part of the organiser, they can take actions.
"In the case of unsanctioned events, what can the family do?” Arnaz asked.