Permission for Motorsport to reopen in South Africa was granted by Honourable Minister Nathi Mthethwa as long as strict sanitation and health rules are applied at all racing venues.
South Africa (16 July 2020) – Motorsport South Africa (MSA) is pleased to announce that it has received full permission to resume all MSA-sanctioned motorsport events once suitable arrangements have been made with the relevant event organisers to ensure that their events can be run in a safe and responsible manner in the Covid-19 environment.
Motorsport, motorsports or motor sport is a global term used to encompass the group of competitive sporting events which primarily involve the use of motorised vehicles, whether for racing or non-racing competition. The terminology can also be used to describe forms of competition of two-wheeled motorised vehicles under the banner of motorcycle racing and includes off-road racing such as motocross.
Four- (or more) wheeled motorsport competition is globally governed by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA); and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) governs two-wheeled competition. Likewise, the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) governs powerboat racing while the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) governs air sports; including aeroplane racing.
Both the FIA and FIM recognise only one National Federation in each country, with such Federation, in turn, being responsible for the control and administration of the sport in its own country. In South Africa, the FIA and FIM have transferred their sporting powers to Motorsport – South Africa (MSA) and all motorsporting events in the country are held in accordance with FIA and FIM Sporting Codes. South Africa is one of only a few countries responsible for the control of both car and motorcycle sporting events, with most other countries having separate governing bodies for the two disciplines.
The permission from Minister Nathi Mthethwa and the Department of Sport and Recreation follows a formal submission by MSA regarding the safe resumption of MSA-sanctioned motorsport events.
The permission from government incorporates several conditions prescribed by the Department. These include a restriction on spectators, the presence of a Covid-19 compliance officer at events, strict cleaning protocols, compulsory wearing of face masks at all times and temperature screening of all attendees at motorsport events.
“We are very thankful to the Department and the Minister for the constructive way in which they engaged with us to find solutions and for allowing us to restart motor racing. Motor racing is a vibrant sporting code and an important contributor to the livelihood of many businesses and racing venues,” says Anton Roux, Chairman of MSA.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown have placed additional obligations on MSA and our member organisations, but we have been preparing for our expected restart and look forward to working with event organisers and competitors to restart in a safe and timely manner,” says Adrian Scholtz, CEO of MSA.
Scholtz says that MSA will also work hard to support each of its various motorsport categories to communicate with its members and to reconfigure the 2020 racing calendar.
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