Bandar Seri Begawan - Some 47 karters including foreign participants are set to compete in the Go-Kart Race to be held in conjunction with the 42nd anniversary of the renaming of the capital to Bandar Seri Begawan.

The race will be held this Sunday, November 18 in front of the old Royal Customs building in the capital.

The Chairman of the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board, Pg Hj Abdul Rahman bin Pengiran Seri Indera Pg Hj Ismail, who chaired the press conference yesterday, said the event is one of the efforts of the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Municipal Department to enliven Bandar Seri Begawan.

His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik is expected to grace and flag off the race in the afternoon. Two race categories namely Novice and Senior will be contested. And each race will go for 20 laps, covering a distance of 1.2km.

The heat event will be held in the morning between 10 and 15 laps. The Go-Kart Racing Track will start in front of the Royal Dais located in front of the old Royal Customs building. The racing track will utilise part of Jalan McArthur and Jalan Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien.

On Saturday the afternoon/night race participants will undergo training at the racing track.

To further enliven the atmosphere of the town centre during the race, street vendors will put up their stalls on Saturday and Sunday, from 9am to 10pm, along part of Jalan Pretty and Jalan Pemancha.

Members of the public who wish to participate in the street stalls are required to obtain the vendor form from the Reception Counter on the Ground Floor of the Municipal Department, Bandar Seri Begawan at Jln Kumbang Pasang.

To ensure the success and smooth running of the event and safety of public and racers, members of the public are urged to obey the rules and regulations set by the relevant agencies including the Police, Fire and Rescue, Paramedics and volunteers.

Several roads will be closed during the race including Jalan Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien, Jalan McArthur, Jalan Pemancha and Jalan Pretty starting from 8am on Saturday, Nov 17 until 8pm Sunday, Nov 18.

Motorists are reminded to cooperate and obey the directions given by the police.

Members of the public are advised to park their cars at the car parking space at Jalan Cator, Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and the PGMB Building, as well as several car parks along Jalan Bendahara.

The press conference yesterday was attended by representatives from various government agencies and private sector organisations.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin