Sepang International Circuit (SIC), in partnership with the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM), yesterday recognised leading icons and teams in Malaysian motorsports at the SIC-Motorsports Association of Malaysia Awards 2016. SIC also collaborated with the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) to recognise the top motorsports journalist and photographer of the year. The inaugural awards event, held at the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur hotel was graced by YB Dato’ Wira Othman Aziz, Deputy Finance Minister I.
“We’re delighted to have this opportunity to recognise the people who have contributed to the development of motorsports in Malaysia. Although we are only able to recognise some of them tonight, we acknowledge the contribution of all who have played a part to ensure that our motorsports sector continues to grow. Rest assured, we very much appreciate the contribution by all competitors, teams, officials, media, clubs, corporations and fans, even if we are unable to recognise all of you by name,” said Dato Razlan Razali, Chief Executive Officer of Sepang International Circuit.
In the event, eight competitive awards were presented to individuals and teams who showed exceptional performance in 2016, while nine people were inducted into the Malaysian Motorsports Hall of Fame – the first batch to be recognised. Themed ‘The Beginning of Motorsports in Malaysia’ this year, the Hall of Fame celebrates the greatest names in Malaysian motorsports across F1, MotoGP, two-wheel and four-wheel motorsports and their great service to the development of motorsports in Malaysia.
“We have received a good amount of feedback since announcing this event and will incorporate the suggestions received where possible. This is only the first year, and we look forward to further improving this event as we go along, since we intend to make this awards event an annual one. Indeed, based on public feedback, we are introducing a new feature on SIC’s website that enables the public to make nominations for the next awards,” added Dato’ Razlan.
The award recipients were selected by a panel of judges comprising Dato’ Lokman Hakim Ali, Secretary-General, Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia; Tan Sri Azman Yahya, Chairman of Sepang International Circuit; Dato’ Razlan Razali, Chief Executive Officer of Sepang International Circuit; En Ahmad Khawari Isa, President of the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia and En Nor Ismadi Manap, Vice-President of the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia. For the Malaysia Motorsports People’s Choice Award, the winner was selected through fan voting online from 3 to 10 February 2017.
Winners of individual awards received a cryatal trophy and a BRM Chronographes watch worth €5,000 while winners of Best Team awards received a crystal trophy and 10 Rudy Project sunglasses for team members.
The winners of the awards are as follows:
- SIC-MAM-SAM Media Award (Best Journalist)
Saiful Affendy Sapran from Harian Metro for the article Tindakan wajar
- SIC-MAM-SAM Media Award (Best Photographer)
Abdul Razak Latif from Kosmo
- Team of the Year (Two Wheels)
Project X Racing
- Team of the Year (Four Wheels)
Sakura Tedco Racing
- SIC National Championship Award
Tengku Djan Ley Tengku Mahaleel
- Malaysia Motorsports People’s Choice Award
Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah
- Best Driver of the Year (4 Wheels)
Jazeman Jaafar
- Best Rider of the Year (2 Wheels)
Khairul Idham Pawi
The inductees to the Malaysian Motorsports Hall of Fame are as follows:
- Datuk Abdul Razak Dawood
- Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir
- Allahyarham Tan Sri Basir Ismail
- Karamjit Singh
- Alex Yoong
- Ron Hogg
- Shahrul Yuzy Ahmad Zaini
- Khairul Idham Pawi
- Muhammad Zulfahmi Khairuddin
