Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/742473
22 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 26 OCTOBER 2016 Sport MOTORSPORTS Sports minister queries Sepang's Formula 1 value THE future of the Formula 1 Ma- laysian Grand Prix is in doubt af- ter the country's Youth and Sports Minister called on the Sepang Circuit to focus its resources on MotoGP. Sepang has hosted both Formula 1 and MotoGP since the venue opened in 1999, marking the start of the sport's expansion to new markets on purpose built circuits. Sepang, which this weekend hosts its annual round of MotoGP, holds a contract with Formula 1 until 2018, but Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has cast doubt on the race's future. "I think we should stop host- ing the F1, at least for a while," he posted on social media. "The cost is too high, returns limited. When we first hosted the F1 it was a big deal. It was the first race in Asia out- side Japan. Now there's so many venues. No first mover advantage. Not a novelty. "F1 ticket sales are declining, TV viewership is down. Foreign visi- tors are down because [they] can choose Singapore, China, Middle East. Returns are not as big." Jamaluddin went on to explain that Sepang should direct its ef- forts on MotoGP, as well as invest in the local motorsport scene. "SIC [Sepang] should bid for less costly races, retain MotoGP, which is still popular, spend on development and increase public access to track days. "Local racers like Jazeman [Jaafar], Nabil Jeffri, Akash [Nandy] are having tough time getting sponsors. "A fraction of the Formula 1 hosting fee can help them and more!" ASMK to launch Pasta Poiatti 2016/17 season "ASSOĊJAZZJONI Sport Muturi u Karozzi" (ASMK) is opening the 2016/17 season by a trials event this Sunday at the Motorsport Track at Ta' Qali, which is again sponsored by Pasta Poiatti. This season is to include six races by the Enduro motorcycle bikers and eight events by the Trials motorcycles. Almost all such competitions will be taking place outside the ASMK Sports Association Complex. Also, ASMK will be running an eight-Moto- cross events championship together with 12 championship events for the Autocross cars in a Standard, Modified and a Super Class which is being launched as from this year. The 2016/17 launching event on Sunday will be for the Trials Section which, follow- ing the success of last season, the associa- tion will continue supporting and running in a Championship form. The association is bound to continue exploring new sites for the Trials and Enduro riders championship events, which are both attractive and com- petitive. The new locations are made possible thanks to several quarry owners who are co- operating with ASMK to hold these events at their locations. On Saturday the Trials committee under the leadership of Manuel Camilleri will be locating the equipment for the Sunday Trials sections at the ASMK Sports Complex at Ta' Qali. Registration is open on Sunday morn- ing from 9am, while the competitive Trials riding competition starts at 10am. All registered competitors will be divided in two classes: Class A is for the more expe- rienced and skilled riders, while Class B is for Riders who are less experienced, including beginners in this sport. Meanwhile the association is engaged in ongoing preparatory work to renovate the Autocross track and to re-design a new style Motocross track. The executive commit- tee approved these two projects earlier this summer but unfortunately the tracks recon- struction progress was laid back due to the high summer temperatures and the severe drought, which results in an almost impossi- ble situation to construct the new dirt tracks surfaces. Although the association planned to start the cars events on 6th November this date could be postponed for another day when all tracks layouts have been completed. More news and information about this date will be given in the coming days. With regard to the new Motocross track layout the competitors will again be seeing Angelo Cinquemani, a Sicilian motocross track building expert in Malta. He will be personally driving the heavy machinery and building the new Motocross track at Ta' Qali. This is the third time that Cinquemani is being engaged in such a project by the ASMK executive committee, which decided in fa- vour of this ambitious project. Cinquemani is expected in Malta on 12th November and is to commence work on the following day. This project is expected to take 10 days time. Further information can be found on the website of the association, www.asmk.org. mt and on the Facebook pages A.S.M.K. Malta and Assocjazzjoni Sport Muturi u Karozzi. One can make contact by email to info@asmk.org.mt