Honda’s Our Challenging Spirit contest this year is in Phase 2 now. Basically Honda associates a challenging spirit with a few qualities and for Phase 2 it is Challenge and Refinement. You can nominate someone that you think possesses these qualities. You’ll stand to win some prizes, but I think the best of all is having that special person up there on the nomination wall together with your story on why that person is special.
Since the contest is a motorsports-related thing after all, I’m going to nominate one Malaysian that we tend to associate with motorsports – Karamjit Singh. I think Malaysians will be quite familiar with this rally driver who has done Malaysia proud, snagging the Group N (Production car) titles in 1997, 2000 and 2001.
Career Highlights:
2004 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Champion
2002 FIA Production Car World Rally Champion
2002 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Champion
2001 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Champion
2001 Group N FIA Asia Pacific Rally Champion
2000 Group N FIA Asia Pacific Rally Champion
1998 Thailand National Rally Champion
1997 Group N FIA Asia Pacific Rally Champion
1990 – 1997 Malaysian Rally Champion
But after that sponsorship seemed to have fallen short and Karamjit fell off the radar for awhile. There were even instances where the FIA subsidised participation fees for rallies because they knew his team were facing financial diffiulties. In 2005 he ran the risk of losing his racing license and his means of living as APRC rules stated one had to finish 6 out of 8 races but Karamjit did not have enough money to run sufficient rounds. He ended up getting slapped with a USD20,000 fine. That’s alot of money.
Despite all of that, Karamjit continues to bounce back and the latest is that he is back in a fully manufacturer backed rally team, driving the new Proton Satria Neo Super 2000. He’ll be racing at the APRC leg in Johor this August. “It’s a dream come true, an opportunity of a life time for me,” said 47 year-old Karamjit who began his career in 1985. “I have waited twenty-four years for this car.”
Honda’s definition of Challenge is to stand up to the challenges in life even against all odds and succeed in accomplishing goals otherwise not achievable if not for the challenging spirit. And as for Refinement – the relentless pursuing of perfection, constant learning, patience, and un-ending commitment to strive for the best in everything that one does. Some say Karamjit is already too old to continue racing but I feel with age and experience and constantly doing something you do best and trying to better yourself like in rallying and other forms of motorsports, it helps one get closer in that pursuit of perfection.
I think Karamjit has definitely has these qualities, so he’s got my nomination. If you know of an outstanding person who has made an impact in your life with the qualities Passion, Dedication, Challenge or Refinement, pay a tribute to the person and submit a nomination at the Honda Motorsports Challenging Spirit website.
Paul, totally agree with your nomination. Karamjit has all the qualifications and had he the right kulitfication, P1, Petronas or even the Gamen would had fully sponsored him. Instead, they sponsor some bunch of Mat Cermalang to jump off a plane.
Am I the first?
The Flying Singh is Back!
go Karamjit! national hero!
i like ur statement cfa, really agree with u….
Go Mr. Karamjit Singh…
udah-udah dok sponsor orang yg salah tu & x ada kualiti tu gomen…
apa sudah jadi dengan sukan negara… dulu ada PERT & Karamjit Singh. lepas tu berkubur sahaja. Aku pernah sendiri tanya Mr.Karamjit Singh kenapa x aktif lagi. Masalahnya sponsor & endorsement !
not we know why…
dunia kenal Karamjit Singh tapi dunia kenal ker Mat Cemerlang, Mat Rempit Ker?
He is truly a great driver. He deserved more sponsorship & support than what he has got. Gave him a great car and please not burden him with any financial difficulties. He will surely will make Malaysian proud again.
yes Karamjit got my vote for sure, he is a proven driver over and over again too bad not much recognition for such a talent here in Bolehland.
Karamjit Singh is a talented man, but in a sport where coverage is, at best spotty. I mean, look at WRC. I used to follow it, but now I just ignore it because I can't seem to find any news or any highlights of it on TV. Companies want to sponsor sports that are highly covered so that their name can bask in the spotlight if success comes their way. That's why Karamjit had all those problems finding sponsors, when in fact he was a World Champion! He took the Champion prize alongside Schumacher and Gronholm back in '02! But does anybody who's not a rally fan know about it? I doubt it.
oh yeah, he got my vote too. pity he does not have much sponsor or coverage due to "issues"
About damn time really, pity how our gov never gave credit where credit is due
The problem with Karamjit's Singh is, he didn't had COMMERCIAL VALUE!.
He not even know how to exposed himself to get a better level.
He just… a fast and good driver. That's all, and that's a problem for sponsors. They also need someone those can talk, those can be their product spoke person etc etc.
We have to admit this. COMMERCIAL VALUE are a part of sponsors attraction!.
That's Karamjit's very lacks about it.
Why should only the govt and GLCs sponsor our sportspersons. What about all those other rich individuals or rich private companies? Where are their social responsibilities/ obligations to fellow Malaysian/ Sportpersons?
Good for Karamjit Singh. if opportunity comes earlier for him (when he was younger then), it will even be better for him.
All the best to Karamjit!
karamjit singh is the one malaysian rally driver that i know. he has good reputation. i second your suggestion, paul!
karam found success with proton,petronas and eon(pert) and now
karam not only he is the proton factory driver he is also backed by felda and petronas……its not about asking where is the glc!!its about asking whre is vincent tan'berjaya corporaton,sunway group,ananda krisnan own'maxis,astro,da ma cai,ytl(just forget about that,francis yeoh will never sponsor anything that got to do with muddy rallying his only into societe thingy,being seen and to be seen)azman hashim of am bank,or even azman yahya'scomi,who is also the president of motorsport malaysia,to mention few rich corporation in malaysia…where are this people???why is that karam now is back by proton,petronas,felda,why cant they put some$$ and see our malaysian man success,why only glc have to do this whole thing…
i mean they are profitable corporation just do the tax write off lah!!!
ANYWAY,PROTON,PETRONAS,FELDA…..I THANK YOU FOR BRINGING BACK THE FLYING SINGH.THANK YOU.
good stuff.. wish them all the best in the APRC.. i think a good finish in rally malaysia will be good enough, considering its a new car and karam is driving it for the first time.
OK believe a bit in the racist comments here.
But then again, why is he having problem with sponsors when there are so many lesser known drivers (of many different skin colours) are having fun now rallying locally. And also at the top level of motorsports be it F1 or rally, how many are supported by their governments or GLCs. Does Loeb needs the French govt help? Button or Hamilton asking money from Mr Brown?
I have no doubt about Karamjit's skill and I really pity his predicament. But to those who choose to argue along the racial line, please look a the bigger picture.
Karamjit's race was never an issue. Malaysians of all races respect his achievements. We all wish him the best. I think he's more than deserve to drive the new neo s2000.