This is in line with MAM’s currently running programmes, which encourages motorsport participation from a young age via a series of entry-level events. Female drivers are also encouraged to try their hand at competitive driving as a special category has been created just for them. To further highlight the involvement of women in Malaysian motorsport, the task of managing the event has been entrusted to popular Malaysian female rally driver, Gina Finanza.

Pennzoil’s debut as a motorsport event sponsor in Malaysia compliments its already established rally team sponsorship programme, which has a 2 car team in the Malaysian Rally Championship series, and successfully, they already have the Driver’s title and the Team Award Championship for 2008 in the bag. UMW PENNZOIL’S Director Encik Ibrahim Abu Bakar, said that he is happy about being the main sponsor of the very first autosprint in the country. “As we said earlier in the year, we would like to play a pivotal role in motorsports development in Malaysia. I am confident that Pennzoil has the ability and capability in this matter. Moreover, our achievements in the rally scene should speak for itself.”

Mia Sharizman Ismail, Chief Executive of MAM said, “We are very grateful to Pennzoil for recognizing the importance of supporting entry development motorsport programmes, as this is in sync with MAM’s primary objective in encouraging participative responses from corporate companies to be involved in the local sport area at the junior level. MAM is pleased to collaborate and work with Pennzoil and I look forward to a cordial working partnership for future programmes where both parties will benefit from each other’.

This event is organised by Wheelspin Event Management and promoted by GSR Motorsports. Event Director & former Malaysian Rally Champion, Mr. Gunaseelan Rajoo, commented that the PMAC is just a warm-up to more weekend based, budget friendly, motorsport events planned for 2009. The course is designed to accommodate two competing vehicles running simultaneously and should make exciting viewing for its spectators. Activities for the day start from 9am and ends at 6pm. The presence of Rally, Race, Drift, Classic car, Karting & Pocketbike enthusiasts mean that visitors to the event will be able to mingle with a wide range of Malaysian motorsport personalities who have been brought together by the PMAC. Also planned for event day are Media Challenge runs and promotional/sales booths by the UMW group and other invited guests. Make this an event not to be missed!

Additional information about the event can be obtained via http://wheelspin.events.googlepages.com/pennzoil-mamautosprintchallenge2008 or contact Mr. Jagjeet Singh, Managing Director of Wheelspin Event Management at 012-212 3260.

Current overall standing 1st : Karamjit Singh (Mitsubishi Lancer), 2nd: Lim Leong Onn (Perodua Viva), 3rd: Gunaseelan Rajoo (Mitsubishi Lancer) and 4th: Sutan Mustaffa Salihin (Proton Satria)

The rally was held in Perlis in conjunction with the DYMM Tuanku Raja Perlis’ birthday celebrations. The MRC is organized and promoted by Wheel Sport Management Sdn Bhd and sanctioned by the FIA and Automobile Association Malaysia (AAM).

For full results and news, visit the official Malaysian Rally Championship website

The first rally drivers to benefit from this incentive campaign will be participating in this weekend’s MRC in Kangar, Perlis.

“We are assisting a maximum of 10 drivers per round this season but we are considering increasing the numbers in 2009,” said MAM’s Chief Executive, Mia Sharizman Ismail. “This year, each new driver will receive cash assistance amounting to RM7,500. In total, MAM will contribute RM75,000 for all five rounds under our rally incentive programme.”

Full article on MAM website.

For those interested to learn more about the MAM Competitors’ Incentive Programme, please contact MAM at 03-7622 8000 or visit www.mam.org.my.