Wearnes Automotive Track Day - 22 April 2011

Friday 22nd April, 6am, while most people were still snuggled in bed, enjoying the work-free Good Friday, a small number of cars assembled in front of Wearnes Automotive's Bentley dealership. The eclectic group made out of two Subaru STI, one Mitsubishi Evo IX, a Mercedes SLK200, a Porsche Carrera 4, a Mazerati Grand Turismo, a Nissan GTR, a Volvo S60R, two Renault Mégane Coupé Cabriolet and a Jaguar Xf had gathered for one reason: they want to go fast.

 

It’s to answer the call for speed of their clients and friends that Wearnes, the distributor of Renault, Volvo, Land Rover, Jaguar, Bentley and Bugatti here in Singapore, decided to hire the help of driving instructor Eugene Oh to form convoys and drive all the way to Sepang International Circuit, in Malaysia and allow the speed junkies to go fast on the controlled and safe environment of the racetrack. Eugene, being a veteran driver and racer, also helps the attendants of the track days by sitting in the car with them and teaching them the ins and outs of the circuit, to make their racing day the best they could hope for.

After the traffic jams of the checkpoint to Malaysia, and the long highway drive north, punctuated by refuelling and refreshment stops, the convoy reached Sepang International Circuit. After parking the cars in the pits, the drivers quickly made their way to the track’s offices to register and attend a driver’s safety and regulations briefing with the Traction Circle Club. Each car owner was then given a number to paste on the door, and everybody made their way back to the pits at a fast pace, the racing fuel in everyone’s veins starting to run faster. 

Back in the pits, the atmosphere was electric with all drivers, whether new or veterans, getting ready to rumble, strapping on a helmet, jumping in their machines and going to line up in the pit lane, waiting for the green light to announce the opening of the session.

The lights turned green and the cars left the safety of the pit lane one by one to jump into the ocean of speed and adrenalin that is the circuit. That particular day saw a crowd of over fifty cars making it to the track, hopefully not all hitting the asphalt at the same time, but the wide F1-grade circuit managed to accommodate everyone without causing jams on the asphalt. Furthermore, this track day not being a racing session but a more relaxed lapping day, new track drivers were able to get priceless experience by following the lines of the veterans, all the while giving way to the faster cars so as not to hinder their fun by slowing them down. Among the faster cars was a Radical SR3 RS, a real track monster propelled by a 1.3 litre engine taken from the Suzuki Hayabusa, which was stroked up to 1.5 litre and now generates 210bhp for a mere 570kg. That should give you a quick idea of the type of toy the Radical is. I was lucky enough to sit in the “passenger seat” (read: the floor of the car – having an actual seat would not be weight-friendly) with Ben, one of the three drivers of the Radical, for two laps full of adrenalin, and I can tell you the acceleration, cornering and breaking forces in this machine are amazing and very addictive at the same time! 

At the end of the session, all the drivers had that shiny glow of excitement and amazement in their eyes, and kept sharing experiences between each other about the track, which turns are trickier, how they managed to find the best line to tackle them and how each and every one of them suddenly love their car even more now that they know how it handles at the limit, or close to it.

It was then time to head back south to the little island that is Singapore where everyone headed back home for a well-deserved sleep, probably full of high G-cornering, high speed dreams.

Wearnes is regularly organizing track days like this one, open for all to join in. Stick around on Gordini’s Pit Stop for information on the next session!

Gallery

Special thanks to Pearl and the whole team at Wearnes Automotive for this awesome day, Eugene and Emma and all the drivers and Justin, Benny and Vig for the ride in the Radical!

Thanks to Ang from gogoAds for the help and the great photos (you saved me!) - you can check out gogoAds here.

Zone 1 ticket-holders to enjoy additional viewing experiences at the 2011 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX

19 April 2011, Singapore – Race promoter Singapore GP confirmed today the integration of the Singapore Flyer into Zones 1 and 2 of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, allowing Zone 1 and Premier Walkabout ticket-holders complete access to the Singapore Flyer grounds during the 2011 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX.

Located between the last two turns (22-23) of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, the Singapore Flyer offers several vantage points of the Pit Building and starting grid, some 165 meters above the track.

This is the second time that Singapore GP is partnering Singapore Flyer to allow Pit Straight, Turn 1, Turn 2 and Republic (Turn 3) grandstand and hospitality suite ticketholders as well as Formula One Paddock Club and Premier Walkabout spectators unlimited rides (subject to capacity) on the giant observation wheel. Dedicated express boarding lanes will be catered exclusively for Paddock Club and hospitality suite guests.

As an added treat, spectators can view up-close the support race cars lined up at the support paddock within the Singapore Flyer premises and enjoy a myriad of shopping and dining experiences at the Singapore Flyer, including the recently launched Singapore Food Trail, a unique dining concept that evokes the nostalgic feel and charm of the lion city in the 1960s.

As part of the integrated layout, the Double Helix Bridge within Zone 2 offers a panoramic view of the city skyline and selected sections of the track. All Zone 1 and Premier Walkabout ticket-holders will be able to enjoy exclusive access through a gate installed on the 280-meter long pedestrian bridge, linking the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort to the Circuit Park.

All Zone 1 ticket-holders including Premier Walkabout patrons will also enjoy access to the Padang main entertainment stage within Zone 4 where multi award-winning band Linkin Park will be performing on race day, 25 September 2011. Full details of the complete S$5 million entertainment line-up will be announced in the coming months.

Early-bird tickets are now available for sale online (www.singaporegp.sg), via the ticketing hotline +65 6738 6738 as well as at all SISTIC outlets.

For more information about the Singapore F1 Tickets, check out the early-bird packages here.

Singapore Yacht Show 2011 - Day 2, The Power of M

After the exciting first day I had at the Singapore Yacht Show, I expected the second day to be the same high-class indulging affair involving chilling by the World's Finest yachts with an ice cold drought in hand. The afternoon did start this way, but the ice cold beer was replaced some fruit juice, and for a good reason: Munich Automobiles was showcasing their range of M cars and giving test drives. 

Looking at the fleet, I had the choice of which car I'd take for a spin. Would I take it top down in the M3 convertible? Race off in an M3 coupe? Play it big in an X5M? No, not being a big fan of SUV with their heavy chassis and boat-like handling, I knew for sure I was going to hop into something lighter and lower. Until I saw the X6M. The behemoth, with its tank-like looks was there, staring at me with promises of speed and excitement. I could hear, at the back of my head, the little voice of my past SUV experiences warning me of quirky handling, pronounced body roll due to too soft suspensions and lack of steering feel, but my guts were charmed by the promises of the behemoth.

And off I was, signing up to test drive the last car I expected to take for a spin, and I was actually looking forward to it. If I had had a few beers before hand, I would have blamed it on the alcohol, but I was as sober as I could get, with only watermelon juice to blame. 

The X6M being, at that time, on a joy ride with someone else, I had to wait for its return like a damsel in distress waiting for her knight in shining armour. Except that the damsel is a knight, and he's waiting for his war horse. A big war horse. A big war horse that ate a twin turbo V8 for breakfast. You get the picture.

Finally, I was told that the X6M was back; but the bad news was that a thunderstorm decided to invite itself to the Yacht Show and I'd have to wait for the heavy downpour to stop before I could drive.

After two frustrating hours, the skies finally stopped drooling all over the place, and the X6M obediently pulled up and opened its door, waiting for me.

Taking the driver's seat, I was instantly greeted by the heads up speed and rpm display, displaying on the windscreen to allow me to keep the speed in check without taking my eyes off the road. After adjusting my seat, I allowed myself to enjoy the towering view, making me feel like I should lower the window, reach down and pat the roof of cars stopped next to me, just because I could.

Driving off at a very slow 40kph, the car feels comfortable, sturdy with a nice, firm steering feel. The high driving position and the sheer size of the vehicle work together to give a very addictive feeling of invincibility, and the drive became an enjoyable, relaxed cruise. I then reached the open roads and, dared by Kugan, my co-pilot from Munich Automobiles, stepped hard on the accelerator. 

You regularly see in movies people flying off to space in various rockets, suddenly pulled back in their seats under the mighty acceleration forces. Well this is about how I felt when the X6M came to life under my foot, propelling me at speeds that I dare not mention, with a melodious grunt of its twin turbo V8. This SUV might be a two tons behemoth, but its 550bhp heart and six-speed M sport automatic transmissions make it fly like a rocket. In addition to that, the firm suspension and precise steering makes it stick to the road like a leech, turning high-speed wet road traffic-dodging into a child's play (at the call of Kugan's "Ben, this is an X6M you're driving, step on it!"). Even in these poor road conditions, the X6M drives undisturbed and will keep you in total control, its powerful brakes bringing its two tons to a halt quickly and safely when needed.

I have to admit, it's with great regrets that I let go of the steering wheel at the end of the test drive.

Funnily, when I stepped out of the behemoth, I heard the crunchy sound of my anti-SUV arguments shattering at the foot of the X6M.

As if things could not get any better, upon coming back from my flight to the moon with the X6M, I was invited by Munich Automobiles to join them to visit some of the World's Finest Yachts from the show.

When I was saying, in the first article, that these yachts were out of this World, that was only after seeing them from outside. Now that I've been inside, I confirm: they come from paradise!

The first yacht we visited was the Azimut Grande 116, a magnificent vessel by Simpson Marine, looking for a lucky owner. The luxury offered by such a yacht is difficult to relate to; try picturing yourself sitting in a 36 meters long Rolls Royce Phantom with five spacious bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a wide dining and living room and an open air deck that can accommodate a jacuzzi and you might start grasping the concept of this masterpiece.

Following the Azimut, we were invited on board of the most luxurious vessel I've ever boarded. 57 meters long, 10 meters wide, three masts boasting 720 square meters of sails, Jacuzzi, massage room, baby grand piano and six suites to accommodate up to 12 guests; welcome aboard the Montigne.

This epitome of luxury cruises across the World and can be rented on a weekly fee to experience a lifestyle that rivals the greatest palaces around the globe. Chef, crew and "toys" to play with when the anchor is dropped in front of an azure sea lagoon included (“toys” include a 7.3m catamaran, water-skis, wakeboards, snorkel gear and more). Words wouldn't give justice to such a gem of a yacht, so enjoy the pictures and see for yourself.

Enjoy the gallery!

Additional gallery By Benjamin Marverick
(for professional photography enquiries, you can contact Benjamin at maverick0202@gmail.com) 

Special thanks to Kugan and the whole team at Munich Automobiles, Benjamin Maverick, Rachel and Katherine at Fullford PR, Mike at Simpson Marine and Captain Richard of the Montigne.

For enquiries about the Azimut, please refer to www.simpsonmarine.com