More than 400 eager participants of the MICHELIN Pilot Experience (MPE) as had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get behind the wheels of a Formula MICHELIN single seater – probably the closest they would ever get to feel like an F1 driver. Spirits were on the high and adrenaline was pumped up as MPE participants got their taste of live racing action through a unique high performance driving experience.

“MICHELIN has been around for generations and as a pioneer brand in advanced tyre technology we are constantly looking for ways to share with our customers the best driving experience capable,” said MICHELIN Malaysia Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Yves Pouliquen.

“The MPE allows ordinary drivers to experience driving performance cars under the watchful eyes of experienced driving instructors. Speed is not the objective but how to experience handling a fast car, carefully and within their respective capabilities,” he added.

Synonymous with the world of motor sports, MICHELIN’s great performance on the track is sheer proof of its commitment in high quality tyres and advanced tyre technology.

“Years of experience on the race track have given us a much needed guide in the manufacturing of passenger and commercial tyres. Innovation is a constant for us as we strive to deliver only the highest standards of safety and comfort in our tyres,” said Pouliquen.
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“Each year through the MPE programme, we are fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to give back to our consumers and dealers who have granted us their loyal support throughout the years,” he added.

This annual affair also plays to MICHELIN’s advantage by strengthening the bond with its dealers while building advocacy amongst its key partners in hopes of forming closer relationships and greater trust.

Clad in racing suits, gloves, shoes and helmets, the participants gave their driving skills a go around the world class Sepang International Circuit in the Formula MICHELIN one seater capable of reaching the speed of 260kph.

Before the daring feat, all participants were briefed on driving techniques and safety aspects by MICHELIN’s professional racing instructors.

The race-packed day also included racing simulations, an interactive quiz, a Go-Kart race, a ‘Pit Stop Challenge’ in which participants had to step into the shoes of a pit crew and race against time to complete the challenge and a GT5 car driving experience.

Participants were also chauffeured by professionals when they were strapped into a two-seater Formula 2 car and a Porsche Carrera Cup race car which were driven at lightning fast speed.

“The opportunity to connect with our consumers and have them in turn share a slice of our technology is the reason why we continue this unique effort. And as in previous years, we hope not only to give participants a great experience but also to depart some key insights into driving expertise and safety tips,” said Pouliquen.

We’re proud to announce 2 (yeah, TWO!!) events back-to-back that we’re organising in late-Sept and early-Oct. Both events are a first ever for the Region! Click on the pictures for more information!

**UPDATE** Please be informed that the BallsOut Drift event has been postponed 1 week to 10 Oct, as Tengku Djan has a sudden commitment to make an appearance in Jakarta on 3 Oct.

BallsOut Drift at Bukit Putus is on 10th October!

And Ignition.my-RCA Speed Challenge brings Gran Turismo to life at Sepang on 26th Septermber!

A lot of friends and participants have also put up videos of their experience at Bukit Putus, and this one by our buddies at Touge-G is pretty good and covers a lot of the action!

The first ever BallsOut Touge run event at Bukit Putus was organised by us, Ignition.my, on the 7th August 2010. The aim was to provide a difffeent sort of avenue for those who have similar hardcore-driving tendencies like we do, and this is the first ever legal running of it’s type in Malaysia, on a ‘Touge’-type course.

Some newcomers and spectators were enquiring what “Touge” means. It’s a japanese word which literally means ‘mountain pass’, but in underground street-racing culture refers to young (and old) men (and women) racing up and down tight, challenging hill and mountain roads. Unlike the majority of highly-sterile racing circuits being built these days, such venues offer a much higher, real-world challenge to those looking for extra thrills and excitement when driving. The penalty for a mistake can be costly, but the rewards for competing against one another for the quickest time makes circuit Time Attacks look like a Thomas the Tank Engine toy-railway.

To our surprise, heaps of spectators turned up to watch Silvias, Scoobies, Elises, and MR2s straffe up the course, and we had a busy time ferrying them up-and-down from the parking area to the designated Spectator-areas which were placed at the most exciting corners.

Admittedly we started a bit late, and it took a bit of time to get things going smoothly, and we’ll be looking at improvements for the next running of the event!

At the end of the day, drivers were boasting of under-2-minute times from start to finish, holding massive full-lock powerslides, and whether braking is necessary since it’s uphill?

The next round will definitely need official timing. And since we’re going to have timing, we might as well turn it into a Time Attack, right? Watch this space!

News are out that the rule makers and manufacturers of Germany’s DTM and Japanese Super GT are collaborating to commonise their regulation. Should this go through as many as 6 makes would be involved instead of the current 2 (Audi & Mercedes) and 3 Japanese makes of GT500; Toyota, Nissan & Honda, would be involved. The sixth is non other than BMW, who are being more disenchanted with the WTCC. Originally it was thought, Australia’s V8 Supercars and America’s Grand-Am series were involved as well.

Germany’s ITR, DTM’s righholders and Japan’s JAF have already progressed further with their discussions and drafts of the proposed regs have come out:

- Common carbon monocoque with roll cage
- Wheelbase of 2850 mm
- Common front and rear overhang
- Common front spoiler and rear diffuser
- V8 engine of yet to be announced size
- Limited number of engines during season
- Introduction of “design line” where on one side all cars are common
- 51% cost reduction compared to current DTM regulations

The overall impact on this would be a common regulation allowing all 6 manufactures to enter 2 different championship. 2012 is the projected year that the regulations will come in play.

BMW, since pulling out of Formula 1 are currently focussed on WTCC and GT/Le Mans racing with the 320i and M3 GT2 racers. Should they make a return to DTM, it is expected that the WTCC programme will be dropped.

Seven years, 4 MotoGP titles and 45 race wins later, Valentino Rossi has parted company with Yamaha. Ben Spies is expected to be promoted to the factory Yamaha.

Valentino will replace Casey Stoner on the lead Ducati, in  a 2 year contract. Nicky Hayden is most likely to be retained to partner the Doctor.

It remains to be seen if Crew Chief , Jeremy Burgees will follow Valentino to Ducati, as how he did when Rossi left Honda for Yamaha at the end of the 2003 season.

After the previous rounds held in June, for the new GT4 Asia Cup and July for GT3 Asia, the season will emerge from its break with an action packed schedule to complete the 2010 season. Both Series will now head to one of the greatest circuits in Asia, the Fuji International Speedway.

 The 4.563km circuit in Japan has one of the most spectacular vistas surrounding the circuit and is built on the foothills of Mount Fuji. One of the attractions of the circuit is its long straight, the 1.5km sprint heading to turn one is one of the longest in motorsport. Located in the Shizuoka Prefecture, this will be the first time the GT3 Asia and the GT4 Asia Cup will be heading to this historic circuit.

Leading the fight will be current Championship leaders, Tunku Hammam Sulong (GT3) and Daniel Bilski (GT4), both ten points clear of their nearest competitors in their respective Series’.

After the meet in mid-September, teams and drivers will head to the brand new Korean International Circuit. The GT3 Asia and the GT4 Asia Cup will be making history as they join the Asian Festival Of Speed Event to be the first race event ever to be held at the new circuit, which has been built to host the Formula 1 Korean Grand prix later the same month.

From there, GT3 Asia and the GT4 Asia Cup will once again head in October to Autopolis, another one of the best driver’s circuits in Asia. It will be the second time that the GT3 Asia Series will visit the 4.673km circuit and this year, the two Series will be held in conjunction with Formula Nippon and Japanese F3. 

It will be in Autopolis, where the 2010 Champions of the GT3 Asia and the GT4 Asia Cup will be crowned.