Advancing Motor Sport Together: FIA Regional Sport Club Meetings
FIA Regional Meetings Fuel Motorsport Growth Across the Globe
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Kigali, Rwanda – The FIA General Assemblies week in Kigali, Rwanda, saw a surge of enthusiasm as FIA Regional Sport clubs Meetings brought together motorsport leaders from across the globe. The meetings, focused on innovation, collaboration, and grassroots development, showcased the FIAS commitment to empowering Member clubs and driving a positive future for motorsport worldwide.
Americas: A Focus on Innovation and Collaboration
The FIA North & South America sport Clubs Meeting, chaired by Daniel Coen, highlighted strategic initiatives designed to propel motorsport forward across the region. FIA Secretary General for Sport Valerio Iachizzi welcomed participants, commending the region’s collaborative spirit and responsiveness.
Key updates included the FIA Motorsport Funding Program’s 2026 timeline, aimed at strengthening grassroots initiatives, and the introduction of the FIA eLibrary – a valuable resource preserving ancient knowledge for FIA Member Clubs.The meeting celebrated successes like the Campeonato Centroamericano de Kartismo and south American Karting Championship,while looking ahead to 2025 with plans for a Pan-American Rally,a restructured Caribbean Junior Karting Championship,esports events,and training programmes.The Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club provided updates on the Caribbean Drag Racing Cup, while the Barbados Motoring Federation and the Federación Dominicana de Automovilismo highlighted the growth potential of OK-N Karting, offering cost-effective pathways for young drivers aligned with FIA standards.
the meeting solidified the Americas’ dedication to innovation, collaboration, and progress in motorsport.
Asia Pacific: Driving Growth and Accessibility
Chaired by Lung Nien Lee, the Asia Pacific Sports Clubs Meeting celebrated a year of achievements in 2024 and outlined enterprising plans for 2025, with a strong focus on growth, accessibility, and grassroots engagement.
FIA Secretary General for Sport Valerio Iachizzi applauded a accomplished year of engagement, interaction, and sporting events, and introduced FIA General Manager Alberto Villarreal to the region’s Members, emphasizing his leadership’s commitment to a people-centric mission.
Working groups presented key updates:
Karting Working Group (Mark Horsley): Celebrated successful events in 2024, including the Asia Pacific Karting Championship, and emphasized the need for robust data collection to guide long-term strategies and increase female participation from the current 5–7%.
Gymkhana Working Group (Dr. Yeung): Re-established the Asia auto-gymkhana Championship and announced plans for a four-round series in 2025, targeting participation from 16 ASNs. Rally Working Group (loay Siregar): Introduced Sprint Rally in Indonesia as an affordable entry-level event, attracting over 150 participants.
Volunteers and Officials Working Group (Dave Morrie): Highlighted programs like First Gear and Girls on Track, achieving a 25% increase in officials and a 37% growth in female participation. Morrie stressed the importance of retaining volunteers through structured development initiatives. Karting Slalom Working Group (Niroshan Pereira): Outlined Karting Slalom activities across eight countries and training plans for the Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship (APMC) 2025.
Esports Working Group (Alex Yoong): Reported on key events such as the Asia Pacific…
the Asia Pacific meeting demonstrated the region’s commitment to expanding motorsport’s reach and creating opportunities for all.
FIA Drives Motorsport Growth in Asia, MENA, and Africa
FIA Meetings Focus on Innovation, Inclusivity, and Grassroots Development
kigali, Rwanda – The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) recently held a series of Sport Club Meetings in Kigali, Rwanda, bringing together motorsport leaders from across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa (MENA), and Africa. The meetings focused on driving innovation, fostering inclusivity, and expanding grassroots motorsport participation across these regions.
Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship 2025 Takes Center Stage
The Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship 2025, set to take place in Sri Lanka, was a key topic of discussion. The event will feature six disciplines, prioritizing affordability, accessibility, and regional unity.
“The FIA is committed to innovation and inclusivity,” said an FIA representative. “The Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship 2025 embodies these values, providing a platform for diverse talent to shine and showcasing the excitement of motorsport to a wider audience.”
MENA Meeting Emphasizes Collaboration and Development
Chaired by Essa Hamza alfailakawi, the MENA Sport Club Meeting highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation for sport development in the region.A moment of silence honored Brigadier Salim bin Ali bin Khalifa al Maskary, former chairman of the Oman Automobile Association, recognizing his significant contributions to the FIA community.FIA Secretary General for Sport Valerio Iachizzi reaffirmed the FIA’s support for MENA Member Clubs and expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming MENA Karting Cup in Doha.
The FIA presented several key initiatives to empower its members, including the FIA University programmes, FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship, FIA Motorsport Accelerator programme, FIA Motorsport Funding programme, and the eLibrary.
The FIA President’s Development Fund, designed to boost motorsport participation, was highlighted as a transformative initiative. FIA Head of Sports Club Development & Education Greg Symes outlined eligibility criteria and encouraged engagement.FIA Karting Commission President Akbar Ebrahim presented the Global karting Plan,aimed at making karting more accessible and affordable. Key pillars include a dedicated taskforce, President’s medals for top national karters, an “Arrive and Drive” format, and Karting Excellence centres.
Sustainability remained a priority. EMSO CEO Mahir Badri showcased the Club’s solar-powered facilities and eco-amiable initiatives, encouraging FIA Member Clubs in the MENA region to pursue FIA Environmental Accreditation.
African Meeting Focuses on Rally championship Revival
The Africa Sport Clubs Meeting, chaired by Rodrigo Rocha, brought together ASNs and ACNs from across the continent to chart a dynamic future for motorsport in Africa. Rocha emphasized the importance of innovation and collaboration for ensuring the sustainability and growth of motorsport disciplines.
Discussions centered on addressing declining participation in the African Rally Championship (ARC). Proposals included integrating Side-by-Side Vehicles (SSVs) and cross-country vehicles by 2025, transitioning to a Baja-style format by 2026, and positioning the Safari Rally Kenya as a flagship event.
The strategy also emphasized fostering grassroots engagement through affordable vehicle categories and talent development to ensure long-term sustainability and growth.
Key FIA updates included the FIA President’s Development Fund,the FIA University programmes,Motorsport in a Box,and the Affordable Cross Car project. The FIA immersion Programme, set to return in 2025, was highlighted as a valuable platform for equipping young Club staff with the knowledge and skills needed to strengthen their organizations.
These FIA Sport Club Meetings underscore the organization’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive motorsport landscape across the globe. By prioritizing innovation,accessibility,and grassroots development,the FIA is paving the way for a future where motorsport thrives in every corner of the world.
African Motorsport Gears Up for Global Stage with Ambitious Plans
Nairobi, Kenya – African motorsport is revving its engines for a major leap forward, with ambitious plans unveiled at a recent meeting to elevate the sport to a global stage.
The meeting,attended by key stakeholders in African motorsport,outlined a series of initiatives aimed at boosting participation,expanding reach,and showcasing the continent’s racing talent.
One of the most significant changes involves the African Rally Championship (ARC). the championship will undergo a transformation, transitioning to a single event integrated into the prestigious WRC Safari Rally.This move is expected to provide African drivers with a platform to compete against some of the world’s best rally racers.The African Karting Cup is also set for a major evolution. Plans are underway to expand the second edition into a larger event, potentially rebranded as the African Motorsport Competition. Inspired by the FIA Motorsport Games, this expanded event would encompass a wider range of motorsport disciplines, reflecting the growing diversity of the sport on the continent. The inaugural edition is tentatively scheduled for the first weekend of August 2025 in Maputo, Mozambique.
Further changes are on the horizon for future ARC events.Organizers are restructuring these events, converting them into either Affordable Cross Car competitions or Baja/World Rally Raid competitions. this move aims to make motorsport more accessible and cater to a wider range of drivers and budgets.
Adding to the excitement, a new World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) event is slated to take place in South Africa from May 19-24, 2025. This event will serve as a model for African motorsport governing bodies (ASNs) to observe and potentially adopt successful rally formats,further strengthening the continent’s presence in international motorsport.
FIA regional Meetings: A Global Push for Motorsport Growth
Kigali, Rwanda – The roar of engines echoed not just on circuits this week, but in the halls of FIA’s General assemblies, where Regional Sport Club Meetings brought together motorsport leaders from across the globe. Our correspondent sat down with [Name], motorsport expert and analyst, to discuss the exciting takeaways from these meetings and what they mean for the future of the sport.
NewsDirectory3: The FIA meetings in Kigali seem to have electrified the motorsport world. What were some of the most notable developments?
[Expert Name]: Absolutely! There’s a palpable sense of momentum and ambition across all regions. The focus on innovation, collaboration, and grassroots advancement is truly commendable.
We saw exciting initiatives in the Americas, with plans for a Pan-American Rally, a revamped Caribbean Junior Karting championship, and a committed push towards esports and training programs.
NewsDirectory3: The Asia Pacific region also appears to be making strides. Can you elaborate?
[Expert name]: Indeed. The Asia pacific meeting showcased remarkable progress. Initiatives like the re-establishment of the asia auto-gymkhana Championship and the introduction of Sprint rally in Indonesia highlight the region’s ambition to make motorsport more accessible and diverse. The emphasis on female participation and structured volunteer programs is particularly inspiring.
NewsDirectory3: What about the Middle East, North Africa, and Africa regions?
[Expert Name]: The MENA meeting stressed the importance of collaboration. The FIA’s commitment to supporting regional Member Clubs through programs like the FIA University, the FIA Motorsport Funding Programme, and the FIA President’s Development Fund was prominent. The upcoming MENA Karting Cup in Doha further reinforces this dedication.
NewsDirectory3: Looking ahead, what are the biggest takeaways from these meetings and what should motorsport enthusiasts be excited about?
[Expert Name]: The FIA’s dedication to making motorsport more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable is truly inspiring. Whether it’s the Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship in Sri Lanka, the grassroots initiatives in the americas, or the development programs across MENA and Africa, there’s something for everyone to get excited about.
The FIA is clearly committed to ensuring a vibrant and diverse future for this exhilarating sport.
NewsDirectory3: thank you for yoru insights, [Expert Name]. This is certainly an exciting time for motorsport fans worldwide.
This interview, alongside the provided press releases, paints a vibrant picture of the FIA’s commitment to driving global growth and inclusivity in motorsport. Stay tuned to NewsDirectory3 for continued coverage of these exciting developments.