LONDON: Formula One officials want to raise the height of safety fences and reduce speed after a tragic start to the season in Australia.
International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley was quoted on Tuesday as saying he was worried that cars had proved far faster than expected at the grand prix in Melbourne last weekend.
"We knew that competition between the two tyre makers might increase the speed and that is why the technical commission worked on the aerodynamic regulations to reduce it," he told Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport.
"The impression is that the sums were not right.
"We don't want to jump the gun but if Malaysia and Brazil were to confirm, as I fear, the results from Melbourne, the FIA must act quickly."
An immediate indication of how much faster the 2001 specification cars are came when world champion Michael Schumacher put his Ferrari on pole for the race in a time of one minute 26.892 seconds.
The lap record before the race was 1:28.594, set by Canadian Jacques Villeneuve in 1997 on now-banned slick tyres, and the nine fastest qualifiers were all inside that time.
Villeneuve was one of them and he was involved in the accident that killed a trackside marshal, hit by a bouncing tyre after his BAR flew into a safety fence and disintegrated. Seven fans were also hurt.
Mika Hakkinen's pole time last year was 1:30.556.
Schumacher was surprised how much faster his car was than in 2000, saying he had expected it to be two or three seconds quicker a lap rather than four. "This year you can feel there is more G-force when you drive," he added.
This year's cars have new aerodynamic specifications, notably front wings mounted higher and fewer elements in the rear aimed at reducing downforce.
But Australia suggested that the FIA engineers had miscalculated how much the aerodynamic changes would compensate for quicker tyres resulting from the revived battle between Bridgestone and Michelin.
FIA spokesman Francesco Longanesi said safety was always under review but speeds were being closely watched.
"This is like an alarm bell that has rung," he said of the stunning lap times.
"Now we are going to monitor every single corner of each grand prix to come. We are going to see how the speed and performance are."
Villeneuve hit the back of Ralf Schumacher's Williams as the German braked going into a corner early in Sunday's race.
If the data from Melbourne is confirmed "the FIA will take appropriate measures to put them (speeds) under acceptable limits," the spokesman added.
Mosley said circuits and cars could be modified and tyres could have more grooves.
But not everybody was in favour of lower speeds. Briton David Coulthard, who took his McLaren to second place in Melbourne, was against further controls.
"What I don't want is any less power," Britain's Express newspaper quoted the Scot as saying.
"I want to feel the rear end of the car slide and have lots of grunt. I don't want that taken away because driving will not be the same.
"We are arriving at corners, the potential scene of accidents, at higher speeds because we have less downforce, narrower cars and less drag."
Longanesi confirmed that a proposal was made four weeks ago, to be put forward to a meeting of the FIA's World Motorsport Council in Paris later this month, for safety fences at all circuits to be raised by one metre.
ONE of Sarawak's toughest sporting events - the Sarawak Sprint is back.
It will held on Sunday, July 7 beginning at 7.30am at the beautiful and scenic Kuching Waterfront.
The event, a prelude to the Sarawak International Triathlon 2001 to be held at a later date, will consist of a 750m swim, a 5km run and 20km of cycling.
It is divided into individual and relay events. The individual event is divided into the men's and women's categories while the relay event will consist of three runners of whom one member must be a woman.
Closing date for entries is June 25.
For further information contact: The Organising Committee, Sarawak Sprint 2001, c/o Ministry of Social & Urbanisation Development, 7th Floor, Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Petra Jaya, Kuching. Tel: 082-446359/492646.
Brunei karter Muhammad Jeffrey Abdullah Suresh was the toast of the town when he easily claimed the first placing at the KL Go-Kart International race in Shah Alam over the weekend.
Jeffrey using a brand new Biesse Kart fitted with the Italian Stratos 100cc racing engine easily defeated the top karters around the region.
In second place was Kenny Yip of Singapore, followed by Indonesian karter Arya Setyaki, Robert Sachse (Singapore) and Ng Wai Leong (Malaysia).
KUCHING, Mon.- Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) for the first time ever this season is introducing "Exclusive Corporate Season Packages" for corporate sectors and diehard Bujang Senang fans watch their idols in action while enjoying a host of privileges.
FAS deputy president, Hj Zaidi Khaldin Zainie in announcing the new package to the local media urged those interested to take up the offer for the limited packages which will be on a first come first serve basis.
Priced at RM1000 per ticket, the package features a host of exclusive privileges for the ticket buyers such as special parking facilities, entrance at the VIP lobby, guaranteed reserved seats at the grandstand, refreshments during half-time and a souvenir ball signed by all of the Bujang Senang players.
FAS introduced seasoned tickets in 1997, where grandstand tickets were being sold at discounted prices but without any privileges attached.
It was discontinued after the Sarawak home match venue was moved from the old State Stadium to the newer Sarawak Stadium.
The new package will include free entrance to matches in the FA Cup, Premier League and Malaysia Cup campaign where the response for ticket sales are normally overwhelming during the peak of the season and crucial matches.
Fully transferable, another attractive privilege that is given to the package buyers is that the tickets will be sent to them personally before the matches and therefore they do not face the hassle of joining the normal queue line.
"The revenue expected is moderate, but what we want is to create the interest and garner support from the corporate sector for on the Bujang Senang team who are carrying Sarawak's challenge in the demanding Malaysia football league," said Haji Zaidi on the package sale, targeted at at least 100 buyers from throughout the State.
He added FAS and especially the players welcome the moral support and whatever form of assistance from their local fans because their fighting spirit will be further boosted when there is a larger crowd of spectators at the stadium.
Details on the packages are available from the FAS secretariat at 082- 444423 or 442343.
KUCHING - The State soccer squad have been told to maintain a high level of discipline and display greater degree of professionalism to be able to succeed in the upcoming Malaysian league season.
Driving home the message was non other than Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) president Datuk Taha Ariffin, who said discipline was of paramount importance to the success of any team.
"They have to be professional in their thinking, attitude and performance because the end result will be reflected in the performance of the Bujang Senang squad," he said when speaking at the opening a one-day seminar here today.
Taha said players should also take due care of their fitness and health because as professionals, these factors contributed to a team's success on the pitch.
"Too much pressure may drive us to unhealthy things but with a high degree of discipline, I am sure these things can be duly overcome," he said, adding the players should avoid unhealthy habits that could lead to poor performance.
The FAS-organised seminar was attended by 20 members of the Bujang Senang team. It was aimed at briefing participants on the new football rulings and requirements.
The seminar also included a review of the past matches and a question and answer session.
Meanwhile, secretary-general Abang Zainuddin Abang Abdul Rahman told reporters that the association would organise similar seminars for the players to gear them mentally for the rigorous match schedule ahead.
He said the seminar reflected FAS' seriousness in the welfare of the players who could discuss issues with their team officials and clear any doubts over relevant matters.
FAS previously organised similar seminars for referees, coaches and officials in the past.
The Blue Lodgers won an exciting polo match against the Dolphin team 9-6 in a National Day polo tournament jointly organised by the Jerudong Park Polo Club and Trijaya Jerudong Equestrian Park on Sunday.
The Blue Lodgers comprising Pg Hussaini Pg Hj Allauddin (team captain), Pg Qahar Pg Hj Haji Ibnu, Indra Rosendi and Mohd Amin Awang Bungsu, were better organised and won after six chukkas.
The Dolphin team were represented by Pengiran Izzad Ryan Pengiran Haji Bahrin (team captain), Ardi H. Hamidjojo, Shabul Mashor Haji Junaidi and Latif Haji Mahmud. The next match will be on Sunday, March 11 at 4pm between Mashoor Polo team and the Dolphins at the JP polo field.
The Mashoor team will comprise Malai Hj Sofian Malai Hj Mashoor (team manager), Hj Abdul Karim Hj Abdul Wahab (team captain), Zainuddin Zailani, Wan Mohd Tambrin Shah Haji Suhaili and Seu Kwok Kwah.
The foundation for the future of Brunei football was laid Sunday with the launching of Project Ikan Pusu, a joint project between BAFA, the Department of Co-Curriculum Activities and the Department of Youth and Sports.
The project, managed by tebuan.com, a local sports managing and consultancy corporation, kicked off with a one-day football coaching workshop at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium where national coach Mick Jones briefed some local coaches on the significance of coaching youngsters.
In his opening remarks, Pg Hj Ali Hassan Pg Dato Seri Laila Jasa Hj Abas, Vice-President of BAFA, reiterated the significance of sports science as an important emphasis in the FIFA guidelines for football development.
In addition, as coaches will be paid an allowance, he added that the project will also provide unemployed youth with job opportunities providing they obtain a BAFA coaching certification.
Dato Hj Talib Hj Berudin, Director of Youth and Sports, who officially declared the workshop open, welcomes the project and stressed the importance of the development of children's football as well as local coaches.
Also present at the workshop was Hj Antin Hj Ahad, the Director of Cocurricular Activities Department, who pointed out that the cooperation of the government and private sectors is the way to go and that projects like this one can only serve to promote the game of football in this country.
During the workshop Mick Jones emphasised the importance of fun in teaching children's football which he and former national captain Liew Chuan Fue then went on to demonstrate to about 50 teachers with a lively practical session.
The application forms for those interested in participating in Project Ikan Pusu will be published in the Borneo Bulletin and Media Permata at a later date with the dates of publication to be announced on national radio and television.
KUCHING - The February edition of Damai Golf & Country Club ( DGCC ) " Bullseye " prize money was won by Widiyanto Sukirdo who sank a challenging 7-foot birdie at Par 3 Hole 17 during the club's inhouse Monthly Medal tournament held yesterday. He won RM451.00 prize money.
Hardworking Kua Yang Hock with his handicap 8 grabbed top position in the A Medal Gross event after he carded 81 while local businessman, Haji Yusuf Suaidi surprised even himself when he finished first in the A Medal Nett even when he carded a four over par 76.
The father and daughter team in Dennis Wee and Cassandra Wee stole the limelight of the day after they won the B Medal Nett and Gross event respectively.
Fifteen years old Cassandra with her handicap 15 carded 84 to finish first in B Medal Gross event while her supportive father playing with handicap 23 won the Nett event with a one under par 71.
The C Medal Gross event was won by Joseph Ting who carded 95 while Victor Loong won teh Nett event after carding a one under par 71. The DGCC Monthly Medal winners received exclusive Roscani wristwatches for their deserving feats during the prize presentation ceremony.
It was a case of third time lucky for Canada's Stephen Timu as he swept to victory in the Brunei Group 4 Junior International Tennis Tournament beating Chen Ti from Chinese Taipei in straight sets 7-5, 6-4 in the final yesterday.
Timu, ranked 105 in the world and top seed for this tournament, had been to two previous tournaments here in Brunei but needed this third appearance to win it.
Nevertheless it was hardly plain sailing for the Canadian as the unranked and unseeded Chen, who had caused somewhat of a stir by cruising through all before him this week, did not seem intimidated by his more powerful opponent.
Running down every ball and never giving up on any point, Chen tried his best to pull of yet another upset but in the end it was Timu's power that won through against the counter-punching style of Chen.
KUALA LUMPUR - Kenya stole the show again in the men's category of the Kuala Lumpur International Marathon on Sunday, with Penuel Nyagaka Osoro and Daniel Pittick Shungea grabbing the top two places.
Osoro clocked two hours, 26 minutes and 25 seconds and Pittick 2:27:10s, followed by Roy O. Vence of the Philippines who came in a close third with a time of 2:27.38s, the Bernama news agency said.
Kenya won the Kuala Lumpur Marathon last year through John Kemboi Segero, who was absent this year.
Osoro, 27, said he paced his run through out the 42 kilometres race in the Malaysian capital and gradually increased the speed as the run progressed.
"If I do not pace my run correctly, I may feel tired early. Only after the halfway mark I started to come foward and it worked," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Pittick said he was satisfied with the time he recorded, adding that the top three finishers this year beat last year's record of 2:30:58s.
In the women's category, Sunisa Sailomyen of Thailand proved she was in a class of her own with a time of 2:53:40s - way ahead of Malaysia's S.Devamani who clocked 3:04:32s.
Thailand's Apassara Prasathinphimai settled for third place with 3:16:13s.