From scooters and cub-chais to supermoto machines, dirt bikes and superbikes, a total of 40 participants competed in the introductory round of MOTACK – the Malaysian Motorcycle Time Attack held at the Shah Alam Stadium carpark on 11 November 2012. Open to all motorcyclists, the event which was organized by HIT Communications, brought together a diverse congregation of bikes of all shapes, sizes, makes and model, as well as attracted riders who competed for the honor of their respective motorcycle clubs.
The one-day competition was divided into four classes: up to 150cc, up to 250cc, above 701cc and Offroad (open), with attractive prizes ranging from riding boots, helmets and motorcycle lubricants to other merchandises offered to the top five riders in each class. Participants were also presented with goodie bags.
Motorcycle time attack or gymkhana is not racing but a precision riding test and is especially popular in Japan. The time trial sport requires riders to manoeuvre in the shortest time through a paved course restricted by traffic cones or other obstacles. The riders generally use only first and second gear, because of the course’s tight turns. The speed range is therefore usually low or moderate.
Motorcycle time attack emphasizes on technique, ability and knowledge. Riders must know not only the techniques of acceleration, braking, handling, and weight transfer, but also how to tune the machine to maximize performance.
After a safety briefing, participants at MOTACK were allocated 30 minutes to walk through the course to familiarize themselves with the obstacles. The timed competition was carried out individually and the fastest time determined the rider’s placing to compete in the final.
“The key objectives of MOTACK are to promote safe and advanced riding skills among motorcyclists via competition. The same set of skills they acquire and develop in competition can be applied on the road. Another primary objective is to create an ideal platform in which motorcyclists and mainly youths can not only demonstrate their riding skills but are able to express their creativity and channel their energy towards a healthy and safe activity. In the process, this enables talented local riders to seek recognition at the non-professional level,” said HIT Communications Managing Director Harris Iskandar Taib.
“This is an event for the masses and anyone who can ride or own a motorcycle. It is designed to be affordable, and unlike racing, does not require participants to commit to serious expenditure on machine, equipment and apparel. You basically ride what you already own without having to modify anything, and in terms of safety apparel, use what you would already have as a motorcyclist.”
Prior to competing, all motorcycles at MOTACK werescrutineered/checked for safety purposes to ensure that tyres, brakes and other critical components were in good working order. While the rules and regulations permit riders to remove non-essential accessories such as lights, signals, fairing, carriers, side mirrors, and other plastic part, to prevent damage, modifications must not compromise the safety of motorcycle. Engine modifications are permitted but motorcycles must be of original engine capacity (cc). Chassis/frame modifications are not allowed.
It is also compulsory for all participants must also wear a SIRIM, DOT, SNELL, ECE approved helmet, gloves, shoes, long pants, knee pads and elbow pads. Jackets, leather riding apparel, racing suit and other riding protection apparel are optional but encouraged to be used.
Event partners for MOTACK included Red Bull (Product of Europe), Top 1 Oil, Holeshot Motowear, X-DOT Helmets, EDT-GFX Graphics, Scram Accessories, Aman Suria Hardware, Bersatu Enterprise, RainHill Misai Kucing herbal team, S4M, MNM, Asian Auto, Wawasan Wanita, World Tour Rider, 8Cars, Sukimi Oil, City Karting, Inter Formula and Bikes Republic. MOTACK will run as a Series in 2013 with six (6) rounds planned for the year. For more information or to register your interest in the event, contact Harris Iskandar Taib at 019-2711609 or email to [email protected]
