Sepang F1 Circuit Experience

I take pride in my car and those who knows me knows I don't settle for anything less than perfect on my setup. Car modification is an expensive hobby. It started with my 1997 Proton Wira which I first had it modified in year 2000. Full racing exhaust and a racing clutch, I trashed it till the manual gear box needed overhauling. Well, Proton being Proton, there were a host of other problems that came with it even if I hadn't modify a single damn thing on it.

It was then decided I needed a more reliable and economical car. The launch of the Toyota Vios came at the perfect timing. It was a sensible choice then, given that its wasn't a Proton, and considering Honda City came without VTEC yet. Honda only released a VTEC City about a year later.

The moment the car was delivered, in went the first modification the following day. Since then, it has undergone continuous transformation and it's not even completed. Performance became an obsession, and it's not just about the speed. Handling and stopping power was being given fair treatment as well. It was given a tuning session on Deepavali Day.



Since my first tuning in early 2006, which revealed my stock engine produced a mere 76.2 wheel horse power and 104Nm of torque, it is now delivering 93.3 wheel horse power and 126Nm of torque. That's 20% on a 1,498 1NZ-FE engine.

And all that has led till today, my first outing in the Sepang F1 Circuit. Stripped out rear seats, front camber set to negative 2 and a fearless co-pilot, we were set to leave the pits.






"Why are you smiling? Aren't you afraid?"

With a transponder to record my lap times, I was all set to go. Careful not to exceed the pit speed limit, I couldn't wait till the marshall gave me the thumbs up to flag me off. And when he did, I was focused. It was a rainy track session and it really tested the car's suspension setup, tires and driving skills.





I did a total of 19 laps, coming into the pit lanes on 3 other occassions. By the 10th lap, my pathetic Bridgestone Potenza G3 was useless. Overheated, it was gripless in many of the corners and I had to throttle down just to take them. Twice I almost spun 180 degrees but managed to counter steer but the 3rd time was too much already. Spinning 180 degrees, I was lucky there weren't any cars behind me. And I was also lucky not to spin into the sand or gravel patch, otherwise a tow truck would be needed to tow it out.

My moment of pride came when I was trailing a Suzuki Swift Sport 1.6, which pumps out 91.9 whp and 112Nm of torque (assuming he didn't modify). Inching my way closer, he couldn't handle the pressure and under brake at turn 15, causing his front wheel drive to understeer and slid into the gravel. I hope his car isn't damaged in anyway though I saw him on the track again later.. We're just enthusiast and passionate about our driving experience at the end of the day.



Hmpth, to indicate to all the non-first timers, many of us had to don this sticker so that the faster Evos, Silvias, STI's, Type R's would know to stay clear of us.



Well, out of that 19 laps, my best time was on lap 6 which clocked 3 minutes 23 seconds. Considering I had a passenger as added weight, a wet circuit and lousy tires, I'd say I did pretty well, considering I wasn't overtaken by any other Suzuki's or Vios and only by the bigger capacity and faster cars. Now I can't wait for my next track session, hopefully with better tires then and some fair weather.

My heart goes out to my fellow Vios owner from Singapore who crashed at turn 14.



I guess we are in one way or the other putting our cars at risk with this hobby, but one we are willing to make. Afterall, racing on a track is so much safer than on the streets in KL these days. Also, my thanks to Vios Owners Group Singapore which organized this and made it possible to invite a few from Toyota Vios Club Malaysia as their guest. Much obliged.

It's Disgusting, Don't Look

I can't believe my luck, and I don't mean a windfall or good luck. Who hasn't had a breakout of pimples before right? It should be normal. But of all places for it to pop out, this has to be my worse nightmare.



Come on, in between the nostrils? You have no idea the amount of pain it is having on me. Though not really visible unless you are shorter than me, it caused swelling around my nostrils and upper lip. And the constant pain gave me headache and sleepless nights. Panadols gave me some relief on Friday. But came Saturday, it was just too much. Rolling in bed and couldn't sleep, I rushed myself to a clinic and the doctor told me the pimple got infected. Gave me anti-nflammatory pills anti-swelling pills, stronger pain killers, anti-biotics, some cream + a RM65 bill. The pain killer took its effect 45 minutes later. It was then and only then could I sleep.

Till now the swelling is there. Burst damnit, burst I say @#%$!*?

Japan (Part 2)

The Train Network

Reading on Nicolekiss blog experience, I was a little worried about transportation arrangements prior to leaving for Japan. In most places and cases, I am a guy who knows my bearings pretty well. Lost is not in my vocab. And even if I do, I am not one of those egoistic guy who refuses to ask for direction. In fact, I'd ask ahead just to plan my route.

Having bought the Japan Rail Pass a couple of weeks before leaving, I obtained a copy of the rail network in Japan. WTH? *slap myself silly* Get a grip I say. Brace myself. *slap myself again*

Arriving at Kansai Airport, we walked outselves to the JR Kansai Station. We saw, we wept and we walked to the nearest officer we could see to cry for help. This station, every sign or destination is in Japanese. How am I gonna even get to the hotel?

Think KL/Selangor/Seremban train lines are complicated?



Now, feast your eyes on this.



Having said that, upon getting a better understanding of the system and how every district is so well connected, I must say I am very impressed. Their trains are so punctual, that despite having to be manually driven and not computer operated. Each train has so many compartments. Here in M'sia, a sardine would have it's guts squeezed out when in an LRT during the morning or evening rush hour. With only 2 compartments and unexpandable LRT stations, how does the government expects us to rely on public transportation?

Getting a subway ticket was tough the first time. Not knowing where to start on the machine, we had to seek the assistance of school kids to get us a tix *hiding face*. Under my watchful eye, it was a peace of cake after that.

First, know where you are and where you are going obviously.



Then you pay. You can pay for up to 6 tickets at any one time. And that is awesome in helping to reduce the queue at the ticketing machines.



Select how many passengers



Choose you fare rate per pax



Collect ticket and you're done.



The People

I got honked many times while walking, bells actually, by bicyclists. They are plentiful there and the only downside is that they don't have a designated path for bicycles on the footpath, only road crossings. They eat, they listen to their iPods, the talk on phones and they chat with one another while cycling.

Tokyo is really overcrowded. WIth a high sense of fashion and demand of only the best, I am not surprised at the high cost of living over there. Was at a street just feeling amazed at all the ants walking around.

Passionate, especially the older generation. It is becoming very rare for us to see people who not only work for a living, but work with a dedication to their responsibility. We were at Meiji Shrine in Harajuku and was walking along a wide gravel path with huges trees on both sides of the path. Leaves were everywhere. I just stood there and watch in amazement his grace and techniques in clearing the leaves. Yeah yeah, what technique you may say. But I just had to record it.



Anyone here who is passionate about their work?

I'm Dating Hello Kitty

Her Name:
Kitty White

Her Profile:
A white kitty with a trademark red ribbon, born in 1974. Her birthday is November 1st. Loves her mother’s homemade apple pies or her boyfriend's instant noodles. Her hobbies are dancing, reading, and collecting small things.

Her Pix:




Her ride:

Happy Birthday .... here kitty kitty, miao!

Japan (Part 1)

Having only been to Australia on numerous trips, Japan is the only other foreign country I have visited. While the culture between the two is very different, I would still pick either to stay in as compared to Malaysia if I have a choice. Given current political scenario in Malaysia and my status as a non-bumi, I would presume many countries would have the same affect on me at this point in time.

Looking back at the draft itinerary, we gave Umeda Sky Building a miss because I was too chicken to go up, especially so when I found out they have see through escalators.



The escalators are between the two towers. GULP!


Pictures above courtesy of Wikipedia.

So, I only took pictures from below to remind me of my phobia of heights.



The Accommodation

The budget hotel I stayed in Osaka isn't too bad. The room in Weekend Mansion Osaka is spacious and the walk from the nearest Subway is only about 5 minutes away.



The bathroom is small, comparable to the Bath#2 of a housing project I was attached to 2 years ago. Yes, that small.



Saw this on the way back to the hotel one night. I hope no one was injured.



Oak Hotel in Tokyo was a different contrast. It was small, and it is 10-15 minutes away from Ueno Station which is JR operated. Imagine having to drag our luggage there and also when we check-out. There is a subway closeby but we were to cheapskate considering we have the JR Pass. Taking the subway means we have to pay.



Accommodation is not something I place great emphasis on when going on a holiday. Afterall, we're normally out of the room early and back late. My advise is simple, when going to a developed nation, one can opt for cheaper accommodation as chances are, they will be clean and safe. The less developed the nation, the more reason why you should stay at better hotels as safety and security becomes an issue then.

The People

Speaking of trains, do you know speaking on the phone in the train is prohibited? In fact, the audio reminder will inform you to turn your phone off when you are near the reserved seats area for the handicapped, the elderly, the pregnant. Such consideration.

And I thought my trusty Nokia N73 was great. I don't recall seeing anyone holding a Nokia in Japan. Mine being a monoblock phone, I hid it from view of everyone seeing that practically everyone uses a flip phone. You get the occassional slider phones. Only once or twice did I see someone using a monoblock phone.


flip phones


more flip phones

dun they have other type of phones?


ok, time to hide my phone

iPod is a must have for a lot of people. Men and women alike listens to their favourite tracks while in the trains. That explains why I had so much difficulty searching for my iPod Touch. It was sold out practically everywhere. Only happen to chanced upon it during a sightseeing visit to Amlux, a mega Toyota showroom in Ikebukuro. The yonger ones will be on their Nintendo and PSP. No, I repeat, no PDA's were seen during my stay there. They have moved beyond that phase already.

Greetings are always given when visiting an outlet, be it retail or food. I found it difficult to hear it at first, but moshi moshi which is commonly used here by M'sian japanese wannabe, is pronounced as moshi mosh instead. Bowing is still practiced there but not so much in a metropolitan city like Tokyo and especially lesser wihin the younger generations.

The Food

Bringing instant noodles, biscuits and snacks to Japan probably saved us a sum of money. But seeing that we were out in the morning and only back to the hotel late in the evening or ight, it was inevitable that lunch had to be eaten while we were on the go. This is what we have been eating.


Mochi @ 130 Yen


Red Bean inside


Tokiyaki with squid inside @ 400 Yen










Pork RIbs

McD's Ebi Fillet was oh so delicious. Filled with prawns, I couldn't help but ate it a few times. Don't ask how many times though. And of coz, they had McPork. Trying it, it was nothing special, likewise for the Bacon burger they had on the menu. Too bad they don't have any of it here in Malaysia.


McEbi Fillet



We began eating more outside as our rations started dwindling. Tried their Bacon pringles too. Pretty good I must say.

Don't hold your breath for Part II unless you are a fish.