Speeding towards success
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Mohd Hamzah is still young but has accumulated vital racing experience which hopefully will see him compete in International races such as Formula 1.

Mohd Hamzah getting ready for a race in Kuala Lumpur.

The second round of the 'ABW Karting Series 2003', jointly organised by ABW Karting and VIICOOL, is set to continue at the JPCC Playground Go-Kart Track tomorrow as well as Sunday. The race will see the participation of about 30 racers from Singapore, Miri, as well as locals vying for precious points in both categories: National A and National B.

The trials will be held tomorrow afternoon while the actual race will take place on Sunday morning and noon.

The 'National A' league is currently led by Hj Harith Pehin Hj Abd Aziz. In second, third, forth and fifth place respectively are Amirul Sanip, Md Diauddin Hj Md Daud, Mohd Rafiee Junaidi and Ezuriman Abd Rahman.

Meanwhile, the 'National B' league - for novices - will see its incumbent leader, 15-year-old Muhd Hamzah Rosli battling to retain his number one spot. Currently at second, third, fourth and fifth place are Mohd Firdaus Hj Besar, Mohd Rithauddin Hj Ramli, Pg Fadzil Pg Hj Besar, and Nelson Wong respectively.

The karting series - with major sponsor coming from Rikma Sdn Bhd, an exclusive distributor of Gunk products - is meant to unearth racers who would one day, hopefully, be good enough to compete in the World Formula 1 racing championship.

Organisers said the second series will be sponsored by DJ Home Video in the form of prizes.

Perhaps 15-year-old Muhd Hamzah, current National B leader, may well be Brunei Darussalam's best potential to break into the international racing scene.

The young student began go-kart racing at the tender age of 13 and was placed sixth in an international novice kart race in Shah Alam in 2001. The Asia Kart Festival Malaysia, organised by Shah Alam City Karting, was won by 16-year-old Canadian Kevin Cummingham.

He had also participated in the 'Asia Kart Prix 2000 Malaysia' and the uncompleted 'Brunei Go-Kart Circuit 2002'.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin