HIS Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik yesterday attended the Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) Go-Kart Race held in conjunction with the 44th Anniversary of the Renaming of Bandar Brunei to Bandar Seri Begawan and presented trophies to the winners at the Dermaga Diraja in the capital.

His Royal Highness was greeted upon arrival by the Acting Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof as well as permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries and the Acting Chairman of the BSB Municipal Board.

Shortly upon arrival, His Royal Highness was introduced to more than 35 participants competing in the go-kart race including seven overseas riders from Oman, India and Malaysia.

The heats events for novice, elite and veteran categories began as early as 9.30am. The finals were held in the afternoon with the veteran race flagged off first followed by the novice category.

The grand finale was the elite category and the main race of the competition was flagged off by His Royal Highness at 4pm.

The riders made a total of 25 laps during the race and each lap covered a distance of 1.2km. The track covered a partial stretch of Jln McArthur and Jln Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.

Before the prize presentation ceremony, a part of the higher committee of the BSB Go-Kart Race had the opportunity to race around the track for three laps.

His Royal Highness also presented trophies to winners in the novice, veteran and elite categories.

His Royal Highness also visited side events including the Brunei Strongest Man 2014 and an authentic classic/vintage car collection exhibition organised by the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department with the support of the Nostalgic Motor Vehicles Association.

At the Dermaga Diraja, His Royal Highness was briefed on both the Japanese and European models that first came into production in the 1970s.

The riders had taken part in practice rounds as part of their final preparations a day earlier.

The event marked one of the efforts of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department to attract the public to further enliven the atmosphere of Bandar Seri Begawan as the capital of Brunei Darussalam.

Bandar Seri Begawan recently received an award for Asean Environmentally Sustainable Cities during the 15th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Environmentally Sustainable Cities (ESC), which was held in Vientiane, Laos on October 30, 2014.

To further enliven the go-kart race and the atmosphere of the town centre, various side activities were also held such as a charity sale, Brunei Strongest Man Competition 2014, Tamiya race, Brunei DJ competition and bazaar at the Dermaga Diraja. - Borneo Bulletin (24 November 2014)