INTERVIEW WITH DRIVERS AND TEAM DIRECTOR AFTER THE RACE

Tengku Ezan Ley, driver of Car 26

It was a challenging race as it was really hot during the day and we had some issues with the brakes that slowed us down a bit. All in all, we did make a slight mistake towards the end which costed us a bit of time, had some body damage (to the rear end of the car) and we dropped from fourth (place) to finish at fifth place. However, we managed to maintain the pace throughout the race. We are quite happy with the results, especially as it was our first race.

HONDA MALAYSIA RACING TEAM (HMRT) LIVES THE CHALLENGING SPIRIT IN THE 2012 SEPANG 1000KM

After a brief period of inactivity due to some unforeseen circumstances, we are please to resume our regular updates. Following is the official press release from Honda Malaysia on their recently successful debut of the Honda Jazz in the local 1000km endurance race at the Sepang circuit earlier this month.

HMRT Jazz for the Sepang 1000km endurance

Honda Malaysia Racing Team, lead by Honda Malaysia's CEO Ueno-san and team director Akkbar will be racing their newly prepared Honda Jazz in the annual Sepang 1000km endurance race at the Sepang circuit tomorrow. The team has prepared a video and uploaded it into youtube which is embedded above. This is the car that I featured some 'scoop' info on in my TOVA facebook (www.facebook.com/TOVAsia - please do visit us and 'like' us). 

HMRT prepared two cars though it looks as if only one will be raced tomorrow. One Jazz, probably the one to be raced tomorrow will be powered by a Mugen special, up-sized to 1.6l to meet the regulations and featuring custom Mugen tuning for the Sepang 1000km challenge.

Photos of US early-MMC Civic INTERIOR

In the U.S., the 9Gen Civic had a stormy introduction. While it managed to achieve best seller in its class, its interior, especially in the base models, had been criticized by many quarters, with the enthusiasts and Honda fans/owners being some of the loudest. While some have tried to defend the Civic, often by using the fact that it is a best-seller, the fact that AHM will launch an MMC for the 9Gen Civic this month proves that even Honda feels that some of the criticisms are at the very least, warranted. 

Honda Malaysia to establish R&Development center

Honda Malaysia will set up an R&D center in Malaysia to do development for new models for the local market. This center will be the fourth in the Asia region after HRT in Thailand. The center will be located in Pegoh industrial area of Melaka together with the assembly plant there. 

'Why Proton ?'

This was the question I had for Honda Malaysia in an informal chit chat recently. The announcement of the Honda-Proton 'collaboration' recently had caused a lot of talk and debate in the Honda enthusiast circle. The main question was why of all partners, Honda chose Proton.

In the first place, I was told that what was announced, as far as Honda's side is concerned, is an agreement to do a feasibility study for joint developments in the future. As far as Honda is concerned, this was the only thing that was committed. So despite what may be read from the announcements, the feasibility study is what will happen but beyond that, nothing has been agreed upon. For all we know, what comes out of the study may well be an echo of that famous song let's call the whole thing off !

As for my guess that a 'Proton Brio' might well be in the works, the response was that Proton's Tanjung Malim plant is an interesting prospect for something in the future. Brio ? There was a smile and a look which suggests "well, what do you think ?"

Automotive Industry Timeline for Malaysia

Malaysian automotive stalwart Nick Gomez has published a "Malaysian Automotive Industry Timeline" on his facebook. This article looks at the evolution of the automobile industry in Malaysia, starting from 1926 when the Ford Motor company first set up office in Singapore to supply Malaysia as well. This quickly evolved into the vibrant automotive industry of both countries today. Nick's work can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/notes/nicholas-gomez/malaysian-automotive-industry-timeline/10151368147943714 and contains a wealth of information especially for those interested to know the past and current state of the automotive industry in Malaysia.