Go-kart tragedy: Race circuit changed three times

The ill-fated circuit at Jalan Sukpa, Indera Mahkota here for the 2016 Educational Innovation in Motorsport and Automotive Race (Eimarace) was the third choice and was selected at the last minute.

An Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) source told Bernama that the original circuit approved for the race was at the Hockey Stadium in Wisma Belia, Indera Mahkota here, but it was learnt the organiser did not make any booking.

"The organiser later sent the route of the second circuit as an alternative in the same area as the circuit on Sunday, but the original route did not involve main roads or the spot the accident occurred.

"We were only informed of the third circuit on Friday and we made the decision to cancel the race but the organiser appealed on the grounds the students were ready for the competition," he said when contacted here last night.

The source added that AAM also told the organiser that the accident spot was a critical area and no spectators should be allowed at the location and the organiser agreed to place security guards there.

He said an inspection by AAM officers at 9am on Sunday found there were no spectators in the area and there were security personnel on duty to guard the area.

AAM also gave a briefing and told go-kart drivers that the area was a critical area and no overtaking was allowed after taking into consideration the safety aspect.

"AAM also had taken into consideration other due safety aspects and the organiser was responsible to ensure all safety aspects especially when it involved open circuit which could be accessed by spectators from various direction. -- Bernama