"The Hong Kong Automobile Association is the Federation Internationale d'Automobile (FIA) designated National Sporting Authority (ASN) for Hong Kong, and, as such, is the only authority permitted to issue Motorsport Competition Licenses."
Beginning motorsport is easy in Hong Kong. Any Hong Kong resident who wants to participate in the sport has to first become a member of an HKAA recognised motorsport club, then pass a medical examination and a track driving test to get a competition license, then he or she may go RACING!
The procedure is as follows:
1. Join a recognised Motorsport Club
There are a number of local motorsport clubs that are affiliated to the HKAA, such as the Hong Kong Porsche Club or the Hong Kong Classic Car Club, or one may simply join the HKAA. The full list of recognised motorsport clubs is printed in the HKAA's quarterly magazine, the Hong Kong Motorist.
2. Apply for competition license
After joining a recognised motorsport club, the applicant can apply for an FIA approved competition license issued by the HKAA. The procedures are:
a. First passing a written examination on the FIA motorsport competition rules.
b. Satisfactory passing of a medical examination, by an HKAA approved doctor, to prove you are physically fit for the sport.
c. Satisfactory completion of a track driving examination held at the Zhuhai International Circuit in order to prove your understanding of safety rules and the use of safety equipment.
3. Things to take note of :
a. Applicants are free to choose any of the recognised motorsport clubs.
b. Applicants are encouraged to undergo additional training, from any source, before the examinations.
c. Applicants have to provide their own FIA approved personal safety gear, helmet, fireproof suit, gloves, boots etc, (it is recommended that the applicant purchase these items) and car for the track driving test. The HKAA can arrange to provide a suitable car for the test, for a fee.
As the Hong Kong Automobile Association is the FIA ASN for Hong Kong it is responsible for the governance of all motorsport activities for Hong Kong license holders. One of the main jobs is the issuance of the correct class of Hong Kong competition license - based on the International Sporting Code, Appendix L, of the Yearbook of Automobile Sport, issued by the FIA, copies may be purchased either from the FIA direct or from the HKAA, additionally, reference may be made to the FIA website at www.fia.com. The following are the necessary qualifications for the different classes of FIA/HKAA issued competition licenses (circuits and rallying).
(1) Restricted Competition License.
a. Hold a valid Hong Kong identity card.
b. Be a member of the HKAA or a member of a recognised motorsport club.
c. Pass the annual medical examination.
d. Pass the written and track driving examinations.
e. In order to maintain the qualification for a restricted competition license the driver must participate in at least one race per 36 month period, or otherwise they will be required to retake the examinations. Note the medical examination is yearly for all license holders and applicants.
(2) National Competition License
a. Hold a valid Hong Kong identity card.
b. Be a member of the HKAA or a member of a recognised motorsport club.
c. Pass the annual medical examination.
d. To qualify for a national competition license the driver must within the 12 months prior to the application have been classified as a finisher in at least three races.
e. In order to maintain the qualification for a national competition license the driver must participate in at least one race per 36 month period, otherwise they will be downgraded to a restricted competition license and may be required to retake all examinations if no participation in any race is recorded for 4 years.
(3) International Competition License Grade C
a. Hold a valid Hong Kong identity card.
b. Be a member of the HKAA or a member of a recognised motorsport club.
c. Pass the annual medical examination.
d. To qualify for an international license grade C the driver must within the 24 months prior to the application either have been classified in the first 3 finishers in any race or have been classified as a finisher in 5 races for which a national competition license, or above, is required.
e. In order to maintain the qualification for an international grade C competition license the driver must participate in at least one race per 36 month period, or they will otherwise be downgraded to national competition license, and if no participation in races is recorded in 5 years they may need to retake all the examinations.
(4) International Competition License Grade B
a. Hold a valid Hong Kong identity card.
b. Be a member of the HKAA or a member of a recognised motorsport club.
c. Pass the annual medical examination.
d. To qualify for an international license grade B the driver must within the 24 months prior to the application have finished in the first 3 places in at least one national championship race or have been classified as a finisher in 5 international races.
e. In order to maintain the qualification of an international competition license grade B the driver must participate in at least one international event per 12 month period, or otherwise be observed, to the satisfaction of the HKAA, during practice for an international event.
(5) International Competition License Grade A
a. Hold a valid Hong Kong identity card.
b. Be a member of the HKAA or a member of a recognised motorsport club.
c. Pass the annual medical examination.
f. To qualify for an international competition license grade A the driver must within the 24 months prior to the application either have been classified as a finisher in at least 5 national championship races, or have been classified as a finisher in at least 5 international races, or have finished in the first 5 places in 5 races for which the international Grade B licence is required, or, in the current or previous year, have finished in the first 5 of the final classification of a championship for which the Grade B licence is required.
d. In order to maintain the qualification for an international competition license grade A, the driver must participate in at least one international event per 12 month period, or otherwise be observed, to the satisfaction of the HKAA, during practice for an international event
The HKAA has the right to refuse the issuance of a competition license to any person, such refusal may be done with no reason being given to the applicant. Applicants must produce all necessary documentation when filing the application and it will take up to 10 working days to process such application.
Please contact the Motorsport Section, Mr. Tony Cheng, of the HKAA for further information, telephone 2739-5273.
