KUALA LUMPUR: JDT Racing Team rider Hafizh Syahrin was named International Rider of the Year, while Qabil Irfan Azlan received the Young Rider of the Year award, and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman was recognised as the Malaysia Motorsports Icon.

The 2024 MAM Awards Night made a grand return to the motorsports scene after a six-year hiatus to celebrate the achievements of the nation's top riders, including Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah, Qabil Irfan Azlan, and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, who were honoured with prestigious awards.

In addition, other award categories were contested, including several new honours celebrating the outstanding contributions of Malaysian athletes, teams, and organisations to both local and international motorsports.

The President of the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM), in his speech during the awards night, stated that bringing back this event reflects their dedication to recognising the hard work and achievements in Malaysian motorsports.

"It is not just about winning, but about creating a strong, sustainable future for the sport. Tonight, we celebrate those who have contributed to taking Malaysian motorsports to new heights, and we look forward to a bright future. Our goal is to make this an annual fixture in the motorsports calendar," he said at the M Resort & Hotel in Kuala Lumpur here tonight.

The event was graced by prominent figures, including Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, underscoring the government's ongoing commitment to the growth and development of the Malaysian motorsports industry.

The Malaysia Motorsports Hall of Fame inducted three exceptional individuals, including Datuk Ahmad Mustafa, a key figure in establishing Sepang International Circuit (SIC) as a prominent venue for both local and international races; Barry Leong Foo Hin, who helped shape the careers of renowned riders like Syahrol Yuzy Ahmad Zaini, Hafizh Syahrin, and Wazi Abdul Hamid; and Wazi Abdul Hamid, known as the "Raja Kapcai."

In recognition of the immense contribution to bringing the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix to SIC, for a major milestone that put Malaysia on the global motorsports map, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the late Tan Sri Basir Ismail.