In motorsport, triumph and defeat are part of the journey. But when a legitimate victory is seemingly “taken in broad daylight,” it sparks more than disappointment—it raises serious concerns about the integrity of the competition.
That was the bitter reality faced by local rally outfit R&R Sport Speed Garage, who were denied a third-place finish in the M3 category at the Malaysia Festival of Speed 2025 (MFOS 2025), held on August 17 at Sepang International Circuit. Due to a race result mix-up, a team from a different category was mistakenly awarded the podium spot, sidelining drivers Dinie Nazmi Abd Rahman and Mohd Nazam Shah Sulaiman from their rightful place.
The incident has stirred unease among competing teams and motorsport observers, many of whom are now questioning the professionalism and credibility of the organizers—especially given MFOS’s reputation as one of Malaysia’s premier motorsport championships and a stepping stone to higher-level competition.
The confusion reportedly stemmed from the organizers’ decision to announce provisional results due to time constraints, rushing the podium ceremony before final verification. This created logistical chaos in the service park and limited teams’ ability to file formal protests. Despite early attempts by R&R Sport Speed Garage to raise concerns diplomatically, the error went uncorrected until after the ceremony.
“This isn’t the first time our team has faced such issues, though from different organizers. But how long must teams stay silent? Especially when it happens at an event as significant as MFOS, which is considered the pinnacle of national motorsport,” said Dinie Nazmi Abd Rahman, when contacted more than 48 hours after the incident occurred.
He added, “Mistakes like this shouldn’t occur at events backed by national-level motorsport bodies. If stakeholders could set aside ego and accept early feedback, this could’ve been resolved without tarnishing anyone’s reputation—including the sponsors who support these teams.”
Dinie emphasized that every competing team is a partner to the organizers, and any lapse in integrity could impact future participation.
“Teams invest heavily—financially and emotionally. Entry fees are paid, vehicles are prepared, and sponsors are involved. Don’t kill the spirit of rallying, especially for the next generation of drivers.”
Although the corrected results have since been announced, awarding Dinie and Nazam their championship points, the moment on the podium is one they’ll never reclaim.
“Winning or losing is part of racing—but let it be with dignity. That dignity belongs not only to the drivers but to the organizers as well. Our entire team, including our sponsors, is deeply disappointed,” Dinie concluded.
Despite the setback, R&R Sport Speed Garage remains focused on completing the final two rounds of the Malaysia Rally Championship 2025, with eyes firmly set on a season podium finish.
For the record, Dinie Nazmi has been a prominent figure in Malaysian rallying since 2008, while Mohd Nazam Shah has made his mark since 2004. R&R Sport Speed Garage is not only a competitive racing outfit but also a key player in nurturing new talent—offering race car rentals and team management services to aspiring drivers nationwide.
