Association takes blame for fuel shortage at Desert race
Spira Tlhankane | Tuesday June 30, 2015 14:31
Speaking to Mmegi Sport shortly after taking a decision to cancel the second loop, BMS president Simon Modisaeman said on the second day, riders could not get their bikes fueled at fuel point number one because the chief marshal was unable to identify the fuel points.
“As president of the motor sport, I take ownership of what happened and I have given the assurance to the competitors that next year this will not happen again.” Modisaeman added that BMS was to blame because they did not train their marshals.
“We have always been let down by our marshals therefore it means that we have to put more effort in their training,” he said. “Marshals are a critical component of the motor racing because they control the intersections,” he said. Modisaeman however indicated that on Saturday they were able to complete the first loop as planned because they had three fuel points that were designated within the route area.
“Each fuel point has marshals that control the fuel points. The fuel points are supposed to be there on time to make sure that when the race starts, they are able to service the riders,” he said.
Modisaeman said the first fuel is very critical because every competitor has to pass through it.
He said on Sunday as riders came through they went on until they realised that they were running out of fuel. “It created confusion and some riders could not reach fuel point number two,” he explained.
Modisaeman said a report was given to the clerk of courts who then communicated to the jury president.
“The first loop results were the ones used to determine the winner on both quads and bikes,” he said. Modisaeman indicated that it was the second time they organised the bike event and they fell short of full coordination. such he could not be allowed to ride in the competition,” he said. Modisaeman said he was informed directly by email, and immediately informed Motsumi.
“Motorsport is a high-risk sport code. So under the FIM, a rider must have insurance and the federation must also take a public liability insurance,” he explained.