FIA delegates safe and accounted for after Nepal earthquake - MotorSportsTalk

The FIA has confirmed that the delegates attending the first Asia-Pacific Sport Regional Congress in Kathmandu, Nepal, are safe and accounted for after the city was affected by an earthquake on Saturday.

The earthquake, measuring 7.8 on the richter scale, hit the region on Saturday and has been followed by a number of aftershocks, claiming over 2,000 lives.

In a statement issued by the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) on Sunday, it was confirmed that all of the governing body’s delegates and representatives that had been in Kathmandu were unharmed.

“This week the FIA conducted its inaugural Asia-Pacific Sport Regional Congress in Kathmandu, Nepal,” the statement read.

“The event was attended by 45 delegates from 14 countries in the region, as well as FIA officials including President Jean Todt [pictured], Road Safety Ambassador Michelle Yeoh, and Deputy President for Sport, Graham Stoker.

“During the running of the Congress the country of Nepal, including its capital Kathmandu, was subjected to a massive earthquake that has taken a shocking toll on the country.

“All members of the FIA party and Congress delegates are safe and accounted for. The FIA greatly thanks the local National Sporting Authority, the Nepal Auto Sports Association (NASA) for its efforts in helping to ensure this outcome.”

The FIA also confirmed that it is looking into forming a charitable fund to help those affected by the earthquake in Nepal.

“The effects of this earthquake on Nepal, with such a drastic scale of human loss, have been devastating.

“The FIA, on behalf of the broader motor sport community, wishes to convey its most heartfelt condolences to the Nepal people – our collective thoughts are with them as they deal with this tragedy.

“The recovery and reparation efforts will be immense for the country.

“In the coming days, the FIA will investigate the possibility of establishing a fund for charitable donations to be made to the people of Nepal as they attempt to rebuild their lives from this disaster.”

Just to let the motorsport fraternity know.-@fia aprc delegates, Jean Todt, Graham Stoker, Morrie Chandler and all staff are safe in Nepal

— Vicky Chandhok (@vickychandhok) April 25, 2015

The @fia delegates huddled in the car park of the damaged hotel in Nepal – they are stranded but safe. pic.twitter.com/BLpaWlth0j

— Vicky Chandhok (@vickychandhok) April 25, 2015

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Coming off his best Supercross season to date, Enzo Lopes has re-signed with Muc-Off / ClubMX Yamaha and will race for the team in 2024. The deal is for Supercross only.

*Enzo Lopes won his heat race in Denver and finished fourth in the Main. – Feld Motor Sports*

Lopes debuted in the Supercross series in 2019 on a Suzuki and scored his first top-10 finishes in his last two starts of that season. Showing consistent improvement, he earned six top-10s in eight Main events the following year and finished fifth in the 250 East standings. In 2022, he scored his first top-five at Daytona and finished in the top five in points again.

“I am happy to be returning to ClubMX for another season,” Lopes said in a press release. “It is like family to me there and that is very important. Although I had many options, staying where I am makes the most sense for many reasons. The bikes are great, the people are great, the tracks are amazing, and I am surrounded by people that care about me. We all want to win and together we will get there.”

While he improved his season-best performance by only one position this year, it was nevertheless a breakout season. Lopes barely missed the podium three times in 2023 with fourth-place finishes at San Diego, Seattle, and Denver.

His strong performance him rumored to be speaking with factory teams.

“We could see the growth from Enzo every time he gets on the bike,” said team owner Brandon Haas. “We all knew it was just a matter of time before he would be noticed by everyone, and we are proud of him on many levels. He had some heat race wins and qualified fastest at three events this season. It would be hard not to be noticed going that fast. He had a big decision to make and we are glad he chose to stay with us at ClubMX.”

Lopes had three podium finishes in heat races this year, including a win preceding his fourth-place finish in Denver.

Lopes will join Jeremy Martin, Phil Nicoletti and Garrett Marchbanks, who announced a two-year extension with the team in January, at the ClubMX team.

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