Joyride to Muar, not.

Well, it can't be said to be a joyride. More like a "vent-my-mood" ride for Sam. She called me when I was about to cook my breakfast at 0530hrs. I came back to my room after taking out my fish fingers and burger patty to let it defrost. If I hadn't went up to my room, I would have missed her call.

She's in one of her depression mood swing again and asked me to let her drive in Malaysia. She needs to go for a ride and speed off her mood. Knowing her situation and won't wanna reject her due to her depression, I picked her up at her place and we head off to Malaysia through the 2nd link. As her driving license is suspended in Singapore dure to drink driving, she can only drive in Malaysia. In fact not really, but we all know the traffic laws in Malaysia is not that strict.

Anyway, she took over the wheels once we crossed the border and she floored the accelerator till it reached 210km/h. It's one of her way to vent her frustrations and get over this mood swing cum depression of hers. I hadn't sleep for the night and I'm trying to keep awake to watch her drive. And during the trip, she poured out her issues and complaints, as usual.

I took over the wheels after we had our stop at Pagoh. Since she has already had her speed thrill. And the time ain't good for her to speed, just in case she got stopped by the traffic police and she got only her passport. Though we could have bribe the officer, but I don't see a point to pay them. Since we're out to have a cruise and to listen to her talk.

We head up to Muar, took the B road back and drove past towns like Muar, Batu Pahat, Ayer Hitam, whatever it is along the way. Till we reached Yong Peng and used the NSHW instead. It's already noon and feeling hungry, we went to have Ba Kut Teh in JB. When we reached JB, my milage was 240km and that's only 1/3 of the tank used, showed on the meters. I was crusising at 110km/h on the highway and on the B-roads, travelling between 80-100km/h with some overtaking. Amazing record!

My car already travelled for 70,000km, since 01/07/05.


Sam sleeping, finally. While I kept myself awake while driving.


The Ba Kut Teh which when we had for the first time, it was quite good. But not this time. The one we had in KL is much better to compare.


After which, had the car washed, refill the petrol, sent her to her beautician to have her nails done for the wedding dinner she need to attend in the evening. Sent her home while I went back to mine and knocked myself out. Slept through the late evening, woke up had dinner at 2000hrs and back to sleep again. On which I was woken up at 0100hrs by what I don't know. I just woke up. Again, I was up through out the night till the morning.

Sunday morning, I had my breakfast, back to bed at 0800hrs, got woken up by my msn messages at 1100hrs. Coincidentally which I had set the alarm to watch the new season of F1. Spent the whole day at home, recuperating from the long drive.

My friend gave me this link to a MV on youtube. Very funny and to think I just came back from Muar!

Happy Birthday to Celeste!

Met up with Celeste with her daugther and one of our school mate, MJ. It was Celeste and we didn't know it till she asked what day it was. Obviously if it ain't your birthday, would you ask such question?

Well, we spent the afternoon at Compass Point having lunch and sipping coffee. Her daugther Chole is really cute. Big eyes, abit shy. Celeste gave birth to another baby girl just 4 months back. Gosh, time flies. The last time I met up with Celeste was more than a year ago. Well, I guess you need kids to warm up with you before they let the child in them free cos Chole is really quiet and shy.

As usual we chatted the time away, and Celeste was trying to match make me and MJ, in a way. But I told her, I'm not prepared to commit into a relationship, yet. Say I'm selfish but I'm not one who can be really responsible and commited to a relationship, for now. If I'm ready for one, I would have been in one already. To think that I've quite a number of female friends who are on good terms with me. Somehow I don't see it coming cos I ain't prepared and not willing to commit.

So, MJ won't be in my list. Moreover she's quite an introvet. Not someone who I can see spending time with. Anyway, we ended the day in the evening as I gotta meet up with the guys at our usual meet up place.

Here's a pic of Chole cuddling up to her mum.


This is Chole about one and a half year back.

Post TCC Track Day

It's always the case to re-do the alignments of the tires, check engine oil, fan belts and other moving parts, if they're still in good condition. Had the exhaust changed back to stock and suddenly the engine check light came on.

I thought it was something else and popped the bonnet to check what could be wrong or any parts that came loose. Well, the ride still move as normal. But I saw the fan belt has become "hairy". It seems that it's gonna snap any time. Had Richard to do a diagnostic analyse and the O2 sensor is not activated. So I reckon the sensor wasn't installled back properly when they put back the stock exhuast.

Went back to GTR to had the fan belt changed. Also to change the timing belt, water pump and oil pump belt. Since my car has already travelled closed to 70,000km, and been to quite a few track days. It's time to change these belts, though it's recommended to change at 100,000km.

Left the car at GTR for the day while I went to Thomas's office, which is just a block away of GTR. Took a nap and Valentine came over to pass Thomas a list of stuff to be done on his car while he's off to Sdyney with his family during the one week school holiday.

Went back to GTR to check on my car. Took a pic of the "about to snapped fan belt". Am awe by the outcome of the belt! This is how badly used it is!




Brand new fan belt.


New timing belt.


Used fan belt, timing belt, oil pump belt, water pump. Cost, $640!


Went home for dinner and had a good rest. Still gotta get my tires changed after going to the Brazil embassy with LS.

Woke up damn early to make a trip to the Brazil embassy for LS to hand in his old passport which is expiring soon. Had lunch and head down to GoodYear to have my semi slicks tires taken out and changed to the set of AO048D tires I got from stock EVO car. Took Terry about 2 hours to get everything done including the alignment.

Very used semi slicks. Lasted for 3 track days! Amazing lasting, but performance wise still not up to expectation on hot laps.


Brand new.


Once done, sent LS back to his hostel. Went home for dinner. Had a good nap, which I regretted. Cos I was awake through the night till morning... And back to my dreams again after I had breakfast.

Ni Dao Di Ai Shui - Liu Jia Liang

Came upon this song when sitting in Nelson's car. Not bad. Share with you people. ;)

TCC Track Day 3rd March 2007

Yupe, CNY's over and once again getting prepared for track day on 3rd of March. This day, we had close to 110 registered members coming for track! We left Singapore early, with Valentine in JB picking up his tires, while Thomas and I drove together to meet Valentine in Pagoh. Martin and Marvin are on the way so we waited for them before heading for KL together.

Martin needs to install GAB coilovers while Valentine need to swap his tires to semi slicks and Thomas need to do alignment for his RS. We had lunch with William, while waiting for Thomas's car to be done. Our journey started at 0600hrs. So we got plenty of time to travel, no need to rush.

Thomas and I did raced with some bikers on the way up and I hit my new top speed!


After getting everything done. It's already 1430hrs. Track day starts 1600hrs. Registration, 1500hrs. We arrived early, got ourselves registered, and ready to rock Sepang!

With my new spring rates, my car handled the corner much better than the previous track day. A pity is my semi slicks aren't holding well on the track. It's has been to 2 track days and this is the third. Thus the tires are sort of giving way. I managed to clocked my best timing during my 2nd lap with minimal cars on track cos I was out with the orientation lap cars and decided not to pit in with the rest.

Though I've matched my previous track day timing, I know my car handled well and I'm pushing it more even though my tires are not gripping well enough. Yes, I did skidded on turn 13, going in at 140km/h. After I got out of the gravel. I rested my car for a while, got the stones out of the tires and rims, and tried turn 13 again. This time, the car skidded but I managed to pull it back straight. This shows that, with better tires, turn 13 can be entered with 140km/h!

Anyway, I have videos from track, the one that I skidded, and one hot lap, fast cars zooming pass, and pics.

William's tuned and souped up MRS.


Briefing before start of track day.


Unc Foo setting his stop watch.


Thomas concentrating.


Skidded lap


This is what happened to my front left tires after the skid.



One hot lap


Fast cars!


Well, track day ended with Valentine's car having a problem on his front left wheel hub. When we drove to the workshop, then found out the wheel hub cracked! We stayed over at Klang, Hotel Histana since Valentine already booked a room. So Thomas and I accompanied him. Moreover it's very late already and we don't wanna rush back to Singapore and tire ourselves. Good thing the hotel has a spa and we went for massage.

The next day, the workshop couldn't find a spare for the broken wheel hub. So we had lunch before going back to Singapore and see get the part in Singapore.

This is where Valentine comes to change his exhaust and tires before going to track.


Our fabulous lunch!


We bumped into Martin at the Pagoh rest point. His car is down cos the tubro screw has broken off. Marvin is out to get him a replacement while he waited for him. We left after accompany him for a while and we took a slow drive back. Reached JB at 1600hrs. And finally home at 1800hrs, in time for the Lou Hei with my family.

It was one exciting weekend. A spectacular skid into the gravel. A better set up on my car. I'm confident that my next track day will have a better timing with new semi slicks!