PVOIL VOC 2024 and PVOIL VGC 2024 Organizers Address Questions

Members of the Organizing and Executive Committees of PVOIL VOC 2024 and PVOIL VGC 2024 addressed questions from the media and athletes during a press meeting on the afternoon of October 8.

The Organizing Committee of PVOIL VOC 2024 and PVOIL VGC 2024 Addresses Questions

On October 8, the press meeting for the upcoming Vietnam Off-road Car Racing Championship PVOIL Cup 2024 (PVOIL VOC 2024) and the National Gymkhana Car Racing Championship PVOIL VGC 2024 (PVOIL VGC 2024) officially took place in Hanoi. Following the presentations, members of the Organizing Committee, Executive Committee, Referee Panel, and representatives of the sponsor, PVOIL, addressed questions from the media, press, and participating racers.

The representatives who provided responses included Mr. Mai Xuan Hai, Deputy Chief of Office of Vietnam Oil Corporation - JSC (PVOIL); Mr. Nguyen Dai Hoang, Head of the Organizing Committee for the Vietnam Off-road Car Racing Championship PVOIL Cup 2024 (PVOIL VOC 2024); Mr. Ngo Viet Dung, General Secretary of the Vietnam Motorsports Association and Head of the Organizing Committee for the National Gymkhana Car Racing Championship PVOIL VGC 2024; Mr. Ngo Viet Hung, Head of Track Design and Construction for PVOIL VOC 2024 and PVOIL VGC 2024; and Mr. Bui Huu Viet, Deputy Head of the Referee Panel for PVOIL VOC 2024 and PVOIL VGC 2024.

Mr. Ngo Viet Hung, Head of Track Design and Construction for PVOIL VOC 2024 and PVOIL VGC 2024, introduced the race tracks

• How has the Organizing Committee (OC) and Executive Committee (EC) prepared the refereeing process to prevent potential disputes? At PVOIL VOC 2024, there are several long courses through forests with limited visibility. How will the Referee Panel ensure precise monitoring of rule violations when there are only three referees per course?

Mr. Viet: In recent years, refereeing at VOC has become increasingly professional, and the Referee Panel for PVOIL VOC 2024 is among the most professional in Vietnam. This year, PVOIL VOC 2024 has 26 referees. A new development in the refereeing process this year is that we selected referees through a recruitment process, rather than simply inviting them as in previous seasons. We will also hold an intensive training session for the referees, focusing on improving accuracy in spotting rule violations and drawing lessons from previous seasons to ensure a better-organized event.

The handling of complaints at PVOIL VOC 2024 has been well-regarded, with the Referee Council making decisions to resolve disputes. In recent years, complaints have significantly decreased due to improvements in the scoring process. Scoring devices have become more precise, such as using laser systems for rally tracks. Additionally, the 1-2 tracks now feature separate starting and finish lines, unlike previous seasons where both were at the same location

Mr. Dung: We will deploy additional referees to enhance track monitoring. For deep forest tracks, areas without referees present will not have cones or markers, so no penalties will be applied. This approach allows participants to race more freely, unleash their creativity, and fully enjoy the competition, while also minimizing the likelihood of complaints.

Mr. Nguyen Dai Hoang, Head of the Organizing Committee for the Vietnam Off-road Car Racing Championship PVOIL Cup 2024 (PVOIL VOC 2024), speaks at the press conference

• Will reducing the traps on this year’s track make it less exciting? What requirements must spectators meet to participate in the gymkhana track for spectators?

Mr. Hung: We define traps as situations where insufficient information or limited visibility prevents racers from anticipating technical challenges. Technical sections must be clearly visible to racers. For example, on a crawling track, a trench hidden beneath a puddle of water would be considered a trap. Traps create unfair conditions for the first competitors or those participating for the first time. However, a mud pit is not considered a trap. Fairness is reflected in ensuring that both the first and subsequent racers face the same level of difficulty.

Regarding the gymkhana track for spectators, we have finalized the list of registered participants. Therefore, spectators arriving at Dong Mo between November 1 and 3 will no longer be able to register for participation.

Mr. Dung: Regarding the test drive tracks, each manufacturer has its own set of regulations, including assigning an instructor to sit in the passenger seat to guide the route and explain various features. Some vehicles are equipped with additional safety measures, such as installing auxiliary brakes for customers, to ensure their safety during the test drive.

Additionally, regarding spectator safety, we have planned the track design to ensure areas like the edges of the swamp and locations with good visibility are made easily accessible for spectators. For example, we plan to use excavators and bulldozers to level paths in these areas. However, we will still ensure that spectator zones are located a safe distance from the track, with barriers in place to restrict spectators to designated areas, prioritizing their safety.

The Track at PVOIL VOC 2024

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• Do racers follow flag signals or verbal commands from the Referee Panel?

Mr. Viet: In fact, PVOIL VOC has been using flag signals for several years. Depending on the course, racers follow the instructions of the track referee. For instance, on Course 1-2, before the race begins, the head referee will inform the racer to either watch for the starting flag signal or listen for the verbal start command.

Mr. Dung: Not all flag signals require compliance in the same way. For instance, a yellow flag is waved as a warning, while a red flag requires racers to stop. Each flag and signal carries a different meaning. Racers must follow both; for example, if they cannot hear a verbal command, they must follow the flag signal instead. Racers are expected to comply with the instructions of the track referee. If a racer believes a penalty is unjustified, they may file a complaint.

• How does the Organizing Committee of PVOIL VGC 2024 evaluate the gymkhana racing movement in Vietnam and the potential for this sport's development?

Mr. Dung: In the development of motorsports, we have limited opportunities to advance circuit racing in Vietnam. Therefore, we have adopted the simplest approach: gymkhana racing. This discipline is straightforward for both organizers and participants, as it allows the use of standard consumer vehicles for competition. As the motorsports movement grows, it will attract more investors, gradually paving the way for the development of motorsport infrastructure. Hopefully, in the near future, we will have racetracks that are more exciting and professional.

Track Layout for Gymkhana

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• Why is PVOIL VOC 2024 being held alongside PVOIL VGC 2024? Does the Organizing Committee consider separating the two events?

Mr. Dung: One of the main reasons we are organizing both events simultaneously is to save costs. Securing sponsorship for both events at the same time is quite challenging. We are very grateful to PVOIL for supporting us in both of these events.

We also wanted to organize the two events separately to focus on each one, but due to limited funding, we decided to combine them. Additionally, PVOIL VGC 2024 is a new competition, and we want to leverage the audience of PVOIL VOC 2024 to promote this sport to viewers nationwide.

• After 17 years, does the Organizing Committee consider choosing a different location for PVOIL VOC other than Dong Mo?

Mr. Hoang: About 5-6 years ago, the Organizing Committee surveyed potential new locations. This year, we also considered changing the venue, but ultimately chose Dong Mo because it offers all the necessary conditions to host both events simultaneously.

Dong Mo is not far from the city center, and it is accessible by bus, which is convenient for spectators who don’t have private transportation. Additionally, the Cultural Village offers many other activities for people to enjoy, aside from watching the race.

In 2024, OTV Media, the Otofun community, and the Vietnam Motorsports Association aim to organize a festival-like event, including two racing competitions, a grassroots event, five test tracks, paragliding, and drifting activities. Dong Mo can accommodate all of these activities.

We know that racers always prefer new locations, and we are actively exploring options. The Organizing Committee is working towards having a new race in a different location for the 2025 season. For example, VGC will be held in several cities (Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, Ha Long) to allow more on-road racing enthusiasts to participate.

Mr. Dung: Organizing a race always aims to cater to a wide audience, including the spectators' desire to watch. The more spectators there are, the more excited the racers become. This is also one of the strengths of the VOC race compared to others. Therefore, when designing the tracks, we focus on this aspect, ensuring that spectators can access the event easily and safely. From the perspective of the racers, they always want new terrain, and we address this by changing the course, modifying technical elements, or creating different versions of VOC in other locations.

 

Mr. Mai Xuan Hai, Deputy Chief of Office at Vietnam Oil Corporation - JSC (PVOIL), introduces PVOIL's new app

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• How is the PVOIL 4U app different from other apps available in the market? Are there any differences for racers when using fuel vouchers through the PVOIL 4U app compared to previous times?

Mr. Hai: How is the PVOIL 4U app different from other apps in the market? PVOIL asked this question when we first implemented the app. There are many apps available on the market that facilitate payment for goods and services. Since 2018, PVOIL has partnered with various companies to enable fuel purchases via apps.

PVOIL recently launched the PVOIL 4U app, designed for individual customers, offering all the features of a mobile app, with several standout features for customers. Within the time constraints of today's press conference, I would like to introduce the two most prominent features: “Fuel First – Pay Later” and “Gift Fuel Vouchers”.

With the “Fuel First – Pay Later” feature, customers can buy fuel on credit through a simple process, with no income proof required and no interest if paid on time. This feature is particularly useful for technology drivers and students who may need fuel but do not have a stable income or access to cash, a bank account balance, or e-wallets.

Another standout feature of PVOIL 4U is “Gift Fuel Vouchers”. Previously, when organizations, businesses, or individuals needed to give fuel vouchers, they would have to sign contracts with fuel companies or voucher issuers to purchase electronic or paper vouchers. PVOIL 4U is the first app that allows customers to purchase and gift fuel vouchers directly within the app. This is also a feature PVOIL aims to offer to racers and the event organizing team this year.

Racers using fuel vouchers through the PVOIL 4U app will not experience many differences compared to previous years. This is because PVOIL and the event organizing committee have already issued PVOIL fuel vouchers in the form of electronic vouchers in past years. With the use of the PVOIL 4U app, the process for using electronic fuel vouchers remains the same as before. Racers and event organizing committee members will only need to perform an additional step: download the app from Google Play or the Apple Store and install it on their phones. PVOIL will coordinate with the organizing committee to distribute the voucher codes to racers and event members, making it more convenient for use before and after the event. The vouchers can be used at nearly 900 PVOIL and COMECO gas stations nationwide.