Zonda!!

Came across this baby at a stable behind the paddock of Sepang Circuit during the Japan GT 2006. This is the Zonda c12 from the Italian supercar maker Pagani and this particular one belongs to the Chairman of the Sepang Circuit. The road tax alone for this beast in Malaysia can cost you an arm and a leg (even more than the annual income for some of us). The latest 2005 incarnation of this 7.3L mid-engine V12 monster, the C12 F, can reach top speed of over 375km/h. Too bad there is no autobahn in Malaysia to test this out. At least the chairman has Sepang though being a technical course, the longest stretch in the circuit probably isn't enough to push this baby to its limits

Japan GT!!

Was given free passes to the Japan GT in Sepang from my neighbour who is involved in the JPM Integra Cup held during the same time. Think of it as the side show for Japan GT. Anyway, the day started at 9ish when we arrived and hung around the tent belonging to JP Chin. This guy organizes club races and this particular one involves 25 Integras with the same spec and engine with the only difference being the personalized tuning for the drivers...



First stop was the rooftop of the paddock to see the Asian Formula Renault race and the Japan GT practice run. Actually before that, managed to do the pit walk prior to the official one. This was good as you could really get up close with the GT beasts without the crowd, only downside was that the pit girls were not around yet. So we went to the back lane of the paddock and did managed to get more than a few glimpses of these ladies..


Soon after around noon was the start of the Integra Cup with drivers who come from rich backgrounds, on of them was the Ftech (laptop business) owner. The overall winner was this guy named Firhat Mokzhani..I think.. am not much of a fan of the local racing scene as you can see..

By the time the actual Japan GT started it was 4pm. Met up with some local girls in the industry and after half of the 54 laps spent at the grandstand, I decided the sun and sound was tooo hot for me and headed back to the airconditioned area of the paddock facing the pits where it wasn't so deafening. By the time everything was over, it was already way past 6pm.




All in all, although it was a very tiring day going back and fourth but I think it with all that I managed to see and experience, it was all worth the it...

The winning Arta NSX Honda Racing Team car..though am personally a fan of the Nismo Fairlady Z.

Please visit www.flickr.com/photos/azerila for more photos.

Unwind

Some of us have been feeling really stressed out of late and we chose to de-stress at a regular joint just across the office, All Star, for pool and the 'usual'. Check these colleagues of mine out...Gaya, Mutu.....Keunggulan?? Hmmm.... not so sure about the last statement.


(PS: That motto used to be/or still is held by Dunhill)

The return

Was in Penang recently for work and stayed along Gurney drive. The beach here is totally gone as the land has been reclaimed for development. I was born in the gurney area...and now..such a waste..sigh.There are many tall buildings now facing the sea with myself being 'consigned' to the 34th floor at Gurney Hotel with a room all to myself. Since some meetings on the last day were cancelled, only my colleagues went for a single meeting at Sungai Petani (an hour away) leaving me doing support work for HQ at coffee bean the whole day. Oh well, its better than travelling back and forth... 

Discover Tenggol (or TO discover)

Came across an article in the recent edition of Men's Health magazine on Pulau Tenggol. Looks extremely beautiful. This island off the coast of Terengganu, Malaysia apparently is one of the best kept secrets amongst local divers..untill now. Have not been diving myself for a couple of years now, and so will definitely need a refresher course before heading there. Hmmm...now I just need to look for some 'leg' (kaki). Will post again once I have been there...nothing beats seeing it with your own eyes...