Miss-Delectable
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Malaysian National News Agency :: BERNAMA
Muhammad Khairun Cuganathan is passionate about racing cars, but being deaf prevents him from starting on the grid as Malaysia's racing authorities have denied him a racing licence.
Although deeply disappointed, Khairun refuses to let his handicap prevent him from being in the fast lane, though not as a driver.
He is the manager of Team MSFD (Malaysian Sports Federation of the Deaf) which will compete in Class B of the Merdeka Millennium Endurance (MME) race -- Proton Satria GTI cars of between 1601cc and 1900cc.
Khairum has secured the services of seasoned racers Ahmad Faizal Mohd Khamis, Azlan Shah Rozali and Roduwan Roduan to carry the challenge of Team MSFD in the race to be held on Saturday at the newly resurfaced Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
With sign language through an interpreter, Khairun who is also the vice-president of MSFD, expressed his disappointment over the strict ruling by Malaysia's motorsports governing body, the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM).
Khairun, deaf since nine after a bout of high fever and who obtained a valid driving licence at age 18, does not see the rationale behind the decision to refuse deaf people, a racing licence.
"Most racing instructions are conveyed through flags, lights and signboards, which can be clearly seen and understood by the deaf," he said through a statement issued by SIC.
An ardent fan of former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, Khairun said he understood that the strict ruling was in line with international regulations but urged AAM to relax the ruling by allowing deaf racers.
His team will be among 36 to vie for 26 places in the Class B qualifying round on Friday.
For the MME, Khairun will be assisted by a deaf friend, Hazrul Badri Che Haron, while the other members of his team are not deaf.
There will 100 cars taking part in the four classes of the 12-hour endurance race - Class A (production cars above 1900cc), Class B (1601cc to 1900cc Proton Satria GTI), Class C (below 1600cc) and Class O (Open).
Muhammad Khairun Cuganathan is passionate about racing cars, but being deaf prevents him from starting on the grid as Malaysia's racing authorities have denied him a racing licence.
Although deeply disappointed, Khairun refuses to let his handicap prevent him from being in the fast lane, though not as a driver.
He is the manager of Team MSFD (Malaysian Sports Federation of the Deaf) which will compete in Class B of the Merdeka Millennium Endurance (MME) race -- Proton Satria GTI cars of between 1601cc and 1900cc.
Khairum has secured the services of seasoned racers Ahmad Faizal Mohd Khamis, Azlan Shah Rozali and Roduwan Roduan to carry the challenge of Team MSFD in the race to be held on Saturday at the newly resurfaced Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
With sign language through an interpreter, Khairun who is also the vice-president of MSFD, expressed his disappointment over the strict ruling by Malaysia's motorsports governing body, the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM).
Khairun, deaf since nine after a bout of high fever and who obtained a valid driving licence at age 18, does not see the rationale behind the decision to refuse deaf people, a racing licence.
"Most racing instructions are conveyed through flags, lights and signboards, which can be clearly seen and understood by the deaf," he said through a statement issued by SIC.
An ardent fan of former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, Khairun said he understood that the strict ruling was in line with international regulations but urged AAM to relax the ruling by allowing deaf racers.
His team will be among 36 to vie for 26 places in the Class B qualifying round on Friday.
For the MME, Khairun will be assisted by a deaf friend, Hazrul Badri Che Haron, while the other members of his team are not deaf.
There will 100 cars taking part in the four classes of the 12-hour endurance race - Class A (production cars above 1900cc), Class B (1601cc to 1900cc Proton Satria GTI), Class C (below 1600cc) and Class O (Open).