X Devils

FDSG Vid

2009-07-08T19:25:00.000-07:00

Part 1 demo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJTjc3098wk

Part 2 Drifting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABQSqg8JV7w

Part 3 Sun Demo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31-SDti-WqI

Part 4 Street Bike Free Style

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B55K2sfKLeE

Part 5 Top 16 Driver Parade

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWeRt7mj3jo

Part 6 tsuiso

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgaovIQqLiw

Stunt Team

2009-07-08T04:03:00.000-07:00

Stunt Team :
Sean Khoo
Ee Yoong Cherng
Jane Cheah
Johan
Ariff Johanis
Michael Gan

Bike:
Mattie Griffin

FDSG Flip the Bitch and Stunt/Drift Demo Show

2009-07-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

It has been a fun part of my participation on Formula Drift Singapore.

To be the coordinator to handle the Stunt show with Mattie Griffin from Ireland. He is a nice guy to work with and hang too. His riding skill are amazing. Low speed control is damn good. And he dared to play with the drift car in the mist of it. We did a challenge between his riding skill against the drifters to make a more entertaining show and a bit of an attitude by all. We had Jane wiht the single car donut , Johan, Michael in the two car twin donut, Yoong as sual with his trademark Rodeo and myself in the show.

I did my usual Human cone with Yoong and then I did it with the bike while he was doing a donut on one wheel. Have to look for some of the videos for it especially when I did the stunt with him using yellow smoke tyres. They were good to drive on and fun for all to watch.

On Satarday we did the Formula Drift USA stunt called Flip the Bitch but then in Singapore had to call it Flip the 370Z.

We had Ariff as the first drifter out to do it. Followed by Tony Angelo then Yoong. I has wanted to be last to watch what the other were going to do with Ariff trying to show some drifting in the car before trying to get it park in the box.

Yoong was almost in the box too but the handbrake is in a funny spot that most had an interesting time trying to get it to work for them.

I got it in the box on all my try which resulted in them making the box smaller but it was ok. The gap was still pretty big to fit in. However, once hte car is in the wind blew the boxes down....the girls in the car were having a blast too doing thr stunt with us in the shotgun seat....kakakaka

This year after much anxiety, I was in the Best 16 as well. Am glad the car came back in one piece this time round too, well almost except for a crack fender due to a few cones that I clipped. Oh well better than concrete walls.

De javu is never good when trying to practice getting you lines right, but the tandem with Tan Tat Wei was fun and interesting. Kept it close for the show as I knew my lines were not going to be as clean but turn out well for a good show.

Time to practice long outer clipping zones rather than clipping point now for the next round in the Fromula Drift series 2009.

Will try to look for some video and more pic soon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55eCvsIcR6Q

FORMULA DRIFT PROAM SERIES 2009 RETURNS TO ENTERTAIN SOLD-OUT CROWD

2009-07-07T07:18:00.001-07:00

Drift fans continue to show their support for the sport
Singapore, 5 July 2009 – In front of more than 4,000 ardent drift fans, the best drifters from all over Asia came together to pit their skills against each other and put on an enthralling show for everyone who was at the event this weekend.

Hosted at the Changi Exhibition Centre, 37 drift drivers from Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand came out to put their pedal to the metal in the two-day event this year where the spotlight shone on the top amateur drivers in the region. The Formula DRIFT USA official judges Andy Yen and Tony Angelo focused on the action as they watched out not for the drivers’ finishing time but rather their skill and showmanship of executing swift car manoeuvres that entertain crowds.

After the qualifying rounds which determined the top 16 drivers based on scores by the official judges, the competitors went head-to-head in pairs in the tandem battles. From the round of 16, the field was cut down to eight before the last four drivers headed to the semi-finals.

The Malaysians came out strong today to take all three podium positions with Tengku Djan leading the pack and improving on his performance here last year. Tengku Djan came in second place in 2008 amongst some of the big boys from the Formula DRIFT USA at the event here last year. He faced competition from another Malaysian Joham Morman Azam in the final round but Tengku Djan showed his experience by performing a tight round while Azam struggled to keep up with him.

Tengku Djan said after his win, “I would like to thank all the sponsors for making this event possible because without them, we would not have this opportunity here. I would also like to thank my wife-to-be because she is my biggest supporter and helps me drive better. It is always great to be able to share experiences with other drivers and I am so happy to do well here in Singapore.”

Tengku Djan’s fellow countrymen Azam and Ariff Johanis, both driving for Team Goodyear, took home the second and third place respectively. Johanis’ wife, Jane Cheah, the only female in the competition, narrowly missed qualifying for the final 16 tandem battles as she came in 17th amongst the field of male drivers.

Mr Marcus Lim, General Manager of Binter & Co. Mr Lim and Technical Consultant for the event this year said, "We are so excited that the fans have returned this year to continue to support the event. We hoped to offer fans a more intimate experience so that they could have a better connection with the drivers and together with our partners, ESPN STAR Sports, Traffic Police of Singapore, Goodyear and Nissan, the spectators really got to enjoy the thrills of the sport today. It is really great to know that we have not only been able to bring this exciting sport to the public, but also create a platform for drivers in the region to hone their skills which will hopefully propel them to a higher level of competition."

The event this year also featured stunt biker Mattie Griffin from Ireland who entertained the spectators in between the competition rounds as the drivers worked on getting their cars ready to rev up. Visitors to Formula DRIFT ProAm Series 2009 were also treated to a carnival atmosphere of not only photos and autographs sessions with all the drivers but also an up close look at each of the competing cars at the paddocks and one of only two Ford GT40s in Singapore.

Harvey Davis, the Vice-President of ESPN STAR Sports Events Management Group, said, "ESPN STAR Sports is proud to have become part of the successful Formula DRIFT ProAm Series and we hope to continue to help build the sport of drifting in the region. With our expertise in sports events management and our regional outreach, we believe that partnering with Binter & Co as well as all the other parties involved in the event will only boost the profile of the sport and to bring it to a greater audience. I want to thank everyone who has shown their support in growing the motorsports scene in Singapore and we cannot wait till the next Formula DRIFT event!”

After the event, Andy Yen, the official Formula DRIFT USA judge, remarked, “We were so happy to be able to come back this year to see the amazing improvement by some of the drivers and we are sure that the sport of drifting will continue to grow here. We look forward to returning again very soon and also to seeing some of the faces today competing with our boys in the US.”

ENCLOSURES – ANNEX A: RESULTS

Top 16 Qualifiers

No. Driver Country Car Number Score Top Speed
1 Tan Tat Wei Malaysia 5 87.2 87.6
2 Tengku Djan Malaysia 12 82 71.2
3 Ariff Johanis Malaysia 18 74.5 74.5
4 Lim Zee King Malaysia 2 73.5 74.5
5 Ivan Lau Malaysia 59 63 72
6 Jansen Tan Singapore 57 54 67.8
7 Ee Yoong Chern Malaysia 33 52.1 68.5
8 Nakorn Cotraviwat Thailand 89 52 7.7
9 Johan Morman Azam Malaysia 3 47.7 75.3
10 Nazrul Afifi Malaysia 46 46.7 67.1
11 Kevin Rajoo Malaysia 17 44 78.3
12 Mervyn Nakamura Malaysia 28 41 73.8
13 James Tang Hong Kong 39 41 79.1
14 Shah Yusoff Singapore 15 41 78.9
15 Rhenadi Arinton Indonesia 27 39.7 70.3
16 Sean Khoo Malaysia 23 38.2 70.1

Podium Finish
No. Driver Country Car Number
1 Tengku Djan Malaysia 12
2 Johan Morman Azam Malaysia 3
3 Ariff Johanis Malaysia 18

About ESPN STAR Sports
ESPN STAR Sports is a 50:50 joint venture between two of the world’s leading cable and satellite broadcasters. As Asia's definitive and complete sports broadcaster and content provider, ESPN STAR Sports combines the strengths and resources of its ultimate parent companies – Walt Disney (ESPN, Inc.) and News Corporation Limited (STAR) – to deliver a diverse array of international and regional sports to viewers via its encrypted pay and free-to-air services.
ESPN STAR Sports showcases an unparalleled variety of premier live sports from around the globe 24 hours a day to a cumulative reach of more than 310 million viewers in Asia. ESPN STAR Sports has 17 networks covering 24 countries, each localised to deliver differentiated world-class premier sports programming to Asian viewers. This includes ESPN SEA, ESPN China, ESPN Hong Kong, ESPN India, ESPN Malaysia, ESPN Philippines, ESPN SEA 2, ESPN Taiwan, MBC-ESPN (Korea), STAR Sports Asia, STAR Sports Hong Kong, STAR Sports India, STAR Sports Malaysia, STAR Sports SEA 2, STAR Sports Southeast Asia, STAR Sports Taiwan, and STAR Cricket.
On the ground, the ESPN STAR Sports Event Management Group manages and promotes premier sporting events around Asia. ESPN STAR Sports aims to reach consumers at any time, any place and through all new media platforms, both internet and mobile. The multi-lingual, online platforms, espnstar.com, espnstar.com.cn and espnstar.com.tw and footballcrazy.tv interact with millions of users providing them with in-depth sports news, results and competitions. Developed for the sports fan that is constantly on the move, mobileESPN and STAR Sports Mobile delivers differentiated mobile content targeted at its various audiences. mobileESPN enables the serious sports fan to follow their favourite sports more closely than ever before with a combination of specially produced video news clips, in-depth news coverage and analysis. STAR Sports Mobile aims to provide interactive and entertaining opportunities to engage with sports, delivering exclusive video excerpts from leading football clubs Arsenal and Liverpool as well as highlights from STAR Sports original programmes covering opinions, instructional tips and the latest online game reviews.

About Binter & Co
Binter & Co. Pte. Ltd. is the proud distributor of the Firestone, Goodyear, Kumho, Nankang and Cooper tire brands.
Binter & Co is an established name in the tyre industry having been in this business for over 25 years. Not withstanding the age of the company; they are an innovative and progressive corporation constantly looking for new methods to improve their value-add to both retailers and end-users. Binter & Co has developed strong relations with manufacturers and established long-term goals for mutual success. Binter & Co has grown from strength to strength and today is a leading tire distributor in the industry. Their average gross revenue (based on last 3 years) is 70 million SGD per year; placing Binter & Co in the higher spectrum of tire distributors in Singapore and the region.
In recognition of Binter's success, the company has been ranked in the Singapore Enterprise 50 listings for the past five years. The Enterprise 50 is jointly supported by Spring Singapore and the Business Times. It has become the definitive list of the fifty most enterprising, privately-held companies in Singapore.
More information can be found at www.binter.com.sg

For Media Enquiries Please Contact;

Darrelle Eng
Fulford Public Relations
DID: 6324 9316
HP: 9737 0769
Email: deng@fulfordpr.com

All prepped for Formula Drift Pro Am

2009-06-28T06:36:00.001-07:00

Sean and I will be representing Binter in the upcoming Formula Drift Pro Am Singapore, though we will be in different tyre brands. Sean will be running Kumho Tires, whereas I will be running under Team Goodyear Racing.

The event will take place at the Changi Airshow Grounds on the 4th and 5th of July. 36 drifters will be participating, of which 22 are from Malaysia. Expect the usual suspects. Concrete wall here we come!

We'll be giving out goodies during the autograph session. Catch us there!

Visit www.formuladrift.com.sg for more info.

GRA Round 1/09

2009-06-09T05:54:00.000-07:00

Great captures from the first nite race at GRA

Yoong finish 2nd in class...all in good fun since we decided on the eve of the event to go play since we were having a bit of a free time.

He was flying to set times and I was actually "flying"...thanks to Andy for a such a nice catch

Star Drift Championship

2009-01-12T10:54:00.001-08:00

Yoong finish 4th in the championship and I finish 13th.

Not too bad considering the R32 was stock standard with a RB20 and the S13 with only a turbo change.

With the possibility of Formula Drift coming to town, might have to start testing bigger tyres and training more to get accurate and bring up speed and angle more with competition getting tougher and tougher as well as more and more cars are running NOS these days.

Picture later as having uploading problems

Calender - August 2009

2009-01-12T10:41:00.000-08:00

Calender for August 2009 althought still a distance away. An interesting idea to do a whole year maybe......

Car Club Rendezvous 2008 Leg 5, 14 Dec 08

2009-01-07T09:14:00.000-08:00

This was an event held by Motorsportchannel.com which main purpose is to expose car clubs to the motorsport scene. An autokhana were held in conjunction with the event in Genting Highlands and several car clubs like the RX8 Club and Mini Club were invited this round.

Since Sean and I were listed as 'professional' driver and not entitled to win anything, we decided to just go have some fun while chilling our weekend off.

Pictures taken by www.motorsportchannel.com

Zee's Wedding Video

2009-01-06T00:32:00.000-08:00

Check out this short comedy we did for Zee's wedding. Featuring the Red Twins and Zee's 180sx, with a short appearance of the Dunlop 32.

Part 1

Part 2

TV3 Coverage from the Charity Event

2008-12-15T09:50:00.000-08:00

Nice pictures from the event

2008-12-04T01:39:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to add some pictures in here as there were some really nice shots. There were many photographers around and they did an awesome job shooting fast cars and drifts.

Drift For Charity

2008-12-01T01:22:00.000-08:00

The event was for a good cause, Yoong and Joe Han ( Drift House Boss ) and myself did many thrill rides for the kids from the orphanage. There were about 50 kids and they were really excited and scare as well to get the chance to sit in the cars.

Sat was a good day and had TV3 and NTV7 . Tv3 coverage came out during the prime time news at 8.30 pm and NTV7 was on Sun afternoon. Yoong will probably post up the coverage once it is edited. It was good of the TV crew to come and support the event as well as the people who came to support the event throughout the day with a constant flow of traffic of thrill rides for charity. It was only, the cars needed to cool down as well as running out of tyres that we had to do the thrill ride in batches.

Sun was hot and we all got a nice tan from cooking under the sun even the photographers. But they are all great guys and nice pic came out too.

I did a Human Cone Donut with Zamil as well. His video is out in youtube and I got the higher resolution from him too.

DCM Drift for Charity event

2008-11-23T19:40:00.000-08:00

Drift.com.my will be holding a drift event to raise funds for Rumah Amal Limpahan Kasih Puchong this weekend (29-30th November). There will be thrill rides available. Grab a ride in the Dunlop 32/13 or the Red Twins while making a donation to charity. Ask your friends and friends' friends to support!

Get more info at www.drift.com.my

KKS-AAM Autocross 2nd November 2008

2008-11-10T00:54:00.001-08:00

It has been 2 years since I last competed in an autocross event. I love autocrosses and had been doing it a lot during drivers training program with Sean but we’re never serious into competing.

Recently, there have been quite a number of autocross events going on. The KKS-AAM Autocross is one of them. Seeing that the Dunlop 32 and Dunlop 13 were under maintenance after Star Drift Challenge Round 3, we decided to give it a go with the red twins.

This event took place at the Shah Alam Stadium carpark. There are a total of 3 layouts to be completed throughout the day. Each driver was given one practice run and two timed runs in each of the layout. The best run out of the two for all 3 layouts will be added together to determine the placing. The key to winning here is consistency.

We were put together with the Toyota MRSs in sports car class. The MRSs were very nimble and quick with superb turn-in and throttle response to maneuver through the tight turns and slaloms. So it seems that the only advantage that we had over them is power, which comes at a cost of turbo lag and uncontrollable wheel spin when the torque kicks in.

The Hiper DCM Silvia is setup as an all-rounder, so only minor adjustments such as dampers setting and tyre pressures were altered. To compensate for the natural poor turn-in of a drift setup which is caused by the 2-way LSD, I’ve opt for bigger 245/40/17 tyres on the fronts. With the bigger contact patch, steering feedback and mid-corner grip were much better, especially on the sandy surface of the Shah Alam Stadium carpark. Although the turn-in sluggishness was still present, the car feels more neutral.

After completing 2 layouts, I realized that I’m in a close tie with Dennis Loo, a seasoned autocrosser in his MRS. I decided to give it a fight on the 3rd layout and clocked a 59-second run. That run bumped my overall position to 1st, winning Dennis by a small fraction of 0.1 second. Sean popped an intercooler hose during his 2nd layout run and realized that his times were quite far away, so he were practically smoking up the course. Sean came out 4th place in sports car class but was put to 3rd place in graded driver class due to him being an AAM license holder.

Star Drift Challenge 2008 Round 3

2008-11-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

Star Drift Round 3 had a different course layout this time. Instead of the conventional high speed left hander, the first turn was changed to a quick left to a long right hander, which means a quick switch of direction on 3rd gear. Smaller cars will have a good advantage on this setup.

Dunlop32 had a small collision during Sunday practise with Heng driving a AE70. The collision had caused the passenger side front panel damage and the panel have to be removed for the car to run on.

Had a not so good run during qualifying session and only managed to qualify in 12th position. Was paired up with Chong Kin Lok in his AE70 during Best 16. Had a huge lead over him in the first run. During the second run, I was pulling away from him on the straights. While in the switching, the tail caught a little bit too much angle and has caused the knuckle to go into 'reverse lock' position. It couldn't steer anymore and the car went off course. Chong took the win.

I then realised that the collision had caused the lower arm stopper to bend and which in turns caused the 'reverse lock'.

Only managed to collect 5 championship points this round. While I still retain 4th place in the championship, 1st and 2nd place are already in the winning lead and the rest are catching up. Looks like more hardwork will be needed during the final round.

Star Drift Round 3 Oct 11-12

2008-10-09T06:33:00.000-07:00

It is that time again to have some fun and compete as well in the coming event this weekend.

It should be good fun after a long break since the last round and after raya too....

See you guys there.....

Kampung Gajah Open Trackday - 07 September 2008

2008-09-10T11:43:00.000-07:00

The Cari Touge Club of the Chinese Cari forum has organised this open trackday at the Dato' Sagor Circuit located at Kampung Gajah, Perak. It's a mini circuit which is about a kilometer long, with twisty bends and short straights which mainly cater for grassroot motorsports events.

I've been to the circuit a few times for events and drivers' training, but never have I drifted there all this long. Having inadequate practice and testing with the Hiper DCM Silvia since its last upgrade, I decided to give it a go, at the mean time meeting up with a few old buddies from the Chinese Cari forum.

7am Sunday morning, we set off to Kampung Gajah in 2 cars, with the Caldina carrying the tyres and all necessary spares. It took us about 2 hours to cover the 200km journey to the destination.

The trackday was basically a free run session with a time trial and mini race later in the afternoon. As there were not much cars on the track, I got plenty of time to test out different lines and setting, and also getting myself acquainted to the power of the current setup.

I must say, drifting in this circuit is very addictive. The 3 linking high speed turn on the opposite side of the grandstand is really challenging. First of all, the entry is moderately fast and you need to get a good angle on the entry in order to tackle the 2nd corner with a correct line. The transition point is also crucial. You’ll be grazing the grasses (yupe the run-off areas are basically grasses) if it’s too early or too late. A 4.3 final drive for the Silvia will definitely benefit here as with the 4.1, there’s a slight bog down on the 1st transition, and you’ll need to downshift for the final turn.

I met a few drifters there, some of which I took them for a ride and share some tips with them. The boys from the Cari Touge Club are a bunch of motorsports fanatics. I spent most of my time taking them as passengers and swirling around topics related to cars and motorsports. Hopefully this in some ways motivated them.

After the free run session, I decided to head back home early. Before I left, the organizers have decided to put me into the time trial session! Not wanting to disappoint them, I went for it. With the 255 Direzzas worn right up to the TWI at the rears, the car was struggling for traction. Once the power kicked in, the rear wheels were spinning on 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear. The recorded time, however, was 55 seconds. Power do play a part here, but there is much more room for improvement still.

Here's a short clip recorded by one of the member:

Photo credits to Jamie Oh and Alvan Yap

2008-09-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

An interesting article, a friend of mine came across and passed to me. Was a good surprise to know that is was printed in the Tyreman magazine.

Judging Toyo Drift Malaysia Series Round 2

2008-08-15T02:42:00.000-07:00

Due to the arise of several issues regarding branding and supply of tyres, and that the Dunlop 32 was still under preparation, I was asked to be the judge of the Toyo Drift Malaysia Series Round 2. Judging alongside with me is Nazrul Afifi from Team Toyo Drift.

This is a 3-day event held at the Carpark A of Kompleks Sukan Negara, Bukit Jalil.

As suggested by the organizers, the drift course was setup ‘SSO D1 Preview’ style. It has a curved entry and a bump near the initiation point, and an outer clipping point with almost zero run-off which permits little room for error. During the Friday soft runs, there were a few mishaps, the worst being Heng from Banting barrel-rolled his AE70 360 degrees. He suffered a few cuts on his right hand caused by a shattered front windscreen, due to the fact that he was not wearing a race suit and driving gloves. It could have been worse if not for the organizers insisting a rollcage as an entry requirement.

Seeing the danger that the setup posed, the drivers had requested that the track setup be altered to a straight entry.

Following the introduction of Best 32 Tsuiso during Round 1, the organizer has decided to carry it on. However, taking into account of having the best qualifier versus the last qualifier if we were to follow the traditional format, the level of driving would be too far apart and it makes it difficult for the best qualifier to adapt to the last qualifier. I have thus come out with a new format of Best 32 Tsuiso, whereby the top 8 qualifiers are seeded for best 16 while the rest would have to fight their way up the tree.

Tabulation of the scores was also automated this round to reduce calculation errors and speed things up. A simple computer program will do the trick.

Due to the difficulty of the drift course, only 28 drifters managed to proceed to the Best 32 Tsuiso round, leaving 4 spots empty. 6 drifters scored zero in both their qualifying runs.

The level of drifting in the country has definitely gone up, and it even amazes the GM of Toyo from Japan. There were some notable performances from Ivan Lim of Singapore with his aggressive styles, and not to forget Tengku Djan and Ivan Lau which performed consistently throughout the Tsuiso round. The boys from Team Toyo Drift were doing great too despite the lack of luck on their side.

All in all, it was a great event and I’m definitely looking forward for the next round, as judge or competitor.

Dunlop Drift Performance Encapsulating The Essense Of Drifting

2008-07-31T05:04:00.000-07:00

Finally, the article is up and running in Motorsport Channel.

The interview was completed during mid of July and it is out. Check it out in full at.

http://www.motorsportchannel.com/2_archive/2008/drift/drift_dunlop_drift_performance_encapsulating_essense_of_drifting.html

Althought there are some corrections needed. I bought my car at RM39k only.. but all is good as it raises the sale price of the cars, especially after all the love and work out into it not to mention the upgrading done to it. Am sure all the Silvia owners would be happy with it. :) How could we put a price on our love ones.

Some nice picture taken by Motorsport Channel too.

Many thanks and appreciation to Motorsport Channel for the time taken to meet us and interviewing us and the great pictures taken.

Sepang Open Trackday

2008-07-28T11:39:00.001-07:00

It has been a while since I last went to an open track day in the Hiper DCM Silvia.

The previous time it went for a full circuit drive was back in 2006. Back then, it had the GT-SS turbo setup, R32gts-t 4 pot brakes, no means of downforce, and on drift setting of course which made it very very tail-happy. Despite some drawbacks, it clocked a 2'36 on a hot lap, and it made me realised the potential of the car as a time-attack machine.

Some changes were made to the V2 as compared to V1 in 2006:
- HKS GT2835R Turbo
- Dunlop DZ101 225/45/17 Front, 255/45/17 Rear
- R33GTR Brembo Caliper Front with Endless SSS pads
- SARD Pro Drift GT Wing, adjusted to maximum low

The power has increased tremendously compared to the previous setup. On the main straight, it clocked 220km/h on 1.2bar boost and street mapping. The race mapping allows 1.6bar boost which I presume will bring the top speed about 10km/h higher.

The DZ101, despite being a street tyre, are surprisingly excellent under threshold braking. The Brembos can definitely brake harder compared to the Nissan 4-pot, but the front are showing no signs of lock-up. The rear, however, will lock-up under very hard braking on the back straights and main straights. This is caused by the new brake setup which shifted the bias to the rear. The car still braked in a straight line though, just that with an extra puff of smokes.

Although the turn in response of the DZ101 was not knife-edged sharp, it was sufficient to steer the car into the proper cornering line. Smooth and precise steering input will make the tyre turn better rather than harsh and rapid adjustments. With the wider rear tyres and a GT wing, the car is less tail happy. On the high speed corners, throttle can be applied earlier without having to worry about oversteer. However, a slight understeer was present, especially coming out of the fast corners, which is probably due to too much rear downforce, causing the front to lift.

The day ended with some rubber burning down turn 5 and 6, and an overboost problem on the way back to pits during the last lap.

Photos courtesy of Sheikh @ www.evolusiotomobil.com.my

Professional Drift Session @ Kompleks Sukan Negara

2008-07-23T11:35:00.000-07:00

This drift session was held at KSN Bukit Jalil last weekend by Tengku Djan and R3. It is a little bit different from the conventional drift session held there, as the drift course is being setup at a much higher difficulty.

Tengku Djan participated in the D1GP Tokyo Drift last month in Odaiba, Tokyo. Having wanted to share his experiences with us, the drift course has been setup in a way that resembles the D1GP drift course in Odaiba.

The focus of the drift session is on the drift initiation part. You need to get the tail out at an maximum angle during initiation, and get the car to slide in a straight line towards the outer clipping point.

Entry speed of the Dunlop 32 is about 105km/h average recorded on my Garmin GPS. As you can see on the video, I did a slight feint on the entry to give that extra swing on the tail. Initiating the drift early is also important so as not to let the car slide too wide.

I must say the Dunlop 32 is really a tank. After having some encounters with the tyre barrier, all it suffered is a dented fender and dropped rear bumper. But hey, no pain no gain. The fastest way to learn is actually to push beyond the limits and slowly revert it. :)

Kudos to Tengku Djan and gang for the passion and patience. Hope we can do this more often in future.

Dunlop Launches a New Star in Extreme Performance

2008-07-23T02:49:00.000-07:00

Dunlop Launches a New Star in Extreme Performance Summer Tires

May 23, 2008

Tires tested:

Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R (Extreme Performance Summer 225/45R17)

* What We Liked: Excellent road manners for an Extreme Performance Summer tire
* What We'd Improve: A small improvement in steering response
* Conclusion: The most civilized Extreme Performance Summer tire for everyday driving
* Latest Test Rank: 2nd
* Previous Test Rank: 1st (August '07), 1st (May '06)

Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec (Extreme Performance Summer 225/45R17)

* What We Liked: We liked it all — handling, dry grip and especially wet traction
* What We'd Improve: A small improvement in ride quality
* Conclusion: A new Extreme Performance Summer star is born
* Latest Test Rank: 1st
* Previous Test Rank: Not previously tested

Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 (Extreme Performance Summer 225/45R17)

* What We Liked: Modest price point
* What We'd Improve: A large improvement in wet grip and road manners
* Conclusion: A value-oriented tire that struggles to keep up with the big boys
* Latest Test Rank: 4th
* Previous Test Rank: Not previously tested

Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07 (Extreme Performance Summer 225/45R17)

* What We Liked: Responsive steering feel and exceptional dry cornering grip
* What We'd Improve: Improved ride comfort and reduced tread noise
* Conclusion: Still a top-performing Extreme Performance Summer tire
* Latest Test Rank: 3rd
* Previous Test Rank: 3rd (August '07), 2nd (May '06), 1st (June '05)

Vehicles used:
2008 BMW E90 325i Coupe

In the fall of 2007, Dunlop brought the successful Direzza Sport Z1 to North America. Already successful in Asia for drifting and time attack track events, the "Zed One" quickly found many fans among enthusiasts in North America driving potent performance vehicles on the street or in track and autocross events thanks to its blend of excellent dry traction, respectable wet grip and reasonable road manners.

Not resting on its own success, Dunlop has taken the Direzza Sport Z1 another step forward with the new Star Spec version. Designated with a simple 5-pointed star on the sidewall (not to be confused with the symbol used to designate BMW Original Equipment status), the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec features a revised tread compound on top of the original tire's architecture aimed at improving initial dry grip during the first lap of track driving or in autocross competition runs when tread compound temperatures are at less than maximum levels. Dunlop's own testing has also shown that wet traction is improved due to the lower operating temperatures found in these conditions (versus in the dry) puts the tire in the sweet spot for enhanced traction provided by the new tread compound.

To find out how the revisions of the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec impacts road manners and enhances track performance, the Tire Rack team conducted a Real World Road Ride and Performance Track Drive comparing it to several favorites in the Extreme Performance Summer tire category, the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R, Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 and Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07. Our evaluation used 2008 BMW 325i E90 coupes with new, full tread depth 225/45R17 tires mounted on 17x8.0" wheels.

What We Learned on the Road

Our 5.6-mile loop of expressway, state highway and county roads provides a great variety of road conditions that include city and highway speeds, smooth and coarse concrete, as well as new and patched asphalt. This route allows our team to experience noise comfort, ride quality and everyday handling, just as you would during your drive to school or work.

All four tires were praised for their responsive handling and agile feel thanks to the crisp steering response and stable cornering that are hallmarks of the Extreme Performance Summer tire category.

Of particular note was the Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07, which continued to live up to its reputation for laser-sharp steering response. Nearly matching the quick steering feel of the Yokohama was the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec. The "Zed One Star Spec" displayed a linear, connected feel in the steering wheel. The Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R followed in its rating for overall road handling with somewhat slower steering response than the Yokohama or Dunlop. Rounding out the group was the Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 with levels of handling and steering response that were appropriate for the Extreme Performance Summer tire category but not quite equal to the other tires in this test.

Some tread noise is a normal by-product of the large tread block elements that are a common feature of Extreme Performance Summer tires. Among the tires in this test, the Potenza RE-01R produced the least amount of tread noise of the group. The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec also did a good job minimizing tread pattern noise with only modest noise across the variety of surfaces on our test route. The ADVAN Neova AD07 and its large tread block elements generated several distinct pitches on asphalt surfaces at higher speeds, while the Ventus R-S2 Z212 produced noticeable tread noise on all road surfaces.

Maximizing ride comfort is not normally a high priority for the tire designers when they develop Extreme Performance Summer tires. And while you won't confuse the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R with a comfort-oriented touring tire, it did provide the best ride quality of the tires in this test. The Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec was also praised for its ride quality, doing a good job minimizing the harshness of small- to medium-sized impacts. The Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07 felt firm when driving over the smaller bumps and expansion joints along the route and bordered on harsh when encountering the bigger impacts. The Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 was also found to be somewhat harsh over uneven surfaces and patched sections of the route, feeling less refined than the other three tires tested.

What We Learned on the Test Track

Our 1/3-mile per lap test track course includes 90-degree street corners, lane changes and simulated expressway ramps. Run in both dry and wet conditions, the test track allows our team to experience the traction, responsiveness, handling and drivability normally only encountered during abrupt emergency avoidance maneuvers or competition events.

Extreme Performance Summer tires are designed to deliver sporty road handling and on-track performance and this group didn't disappoint during our dry track test. Our test format normally sees tires build significant tread temperature during driving with brief pauses between drivers while a different product is driven on the track.

And while the revised tread compound of the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is designed to enhance dry grip at lower tread temperatures, it also proved to aid dry grip under our test conditions and post the quickest overall lap time of the test. The Z1 Star Spec felt responsive and nimble as it was quickest through the lane-change slalom section of the course.

Yokohama's ADVAN Neova AD07 was able to generate significant levels of lateral grip around the skidpad section of the course but couldn't quite match the overall poise and balance of the Dunlop.

The Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R was able to lap the course within 0.34 seconds of the first-place Dunlop thanks to its forgiving nature and easy-to-drive fast feel when driven at the handling limit.

The Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 rounded out the group, feeling responsive but just not quite up to the performance level of the other three Extreme Performance Summer tires in this test.

Traditionally, wet traction has been one of the largest sacrifices to achieve the significant level of dry grip found in Extreme Performance Summer tires. But several of the tires in this test show the advances being made in tire design with respectable wet traction in addition to their dry performance.

In the wet, the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec was the clear favorite among our team, sweeping the test for best lane change slalom sector time, highest lateral g-forces and fastest overall lap time. This tire displayed excellent overall balance, which translated to driver confidence and quick lap times.

The Potenza RE-01R was second quickest around the course with somewhat less grip and responsiveness than the Dunlop.

The ADVAN Neova AD07 followed, feeling a bit more skittish and less predictable in transitions and around the 90-degree corners.

The Ventus R-S2 Z212 was a distant 2.1 seconds behind the first-place Dunlop, feeling very nervous and unstable in all areas of the course.

Product Details

Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R (Extreme Performance Summer): The Potenza RE-01R (with the "R" signifying "Revolutionary") is the Extreme Performance Summer tire member of Bridgestone's global family of Potenza performance tires developed for enthusiastic sports car, sports coupe and performance sedan drivers. The Potenza RE-01R is designed to provide high levels of traction, responsive handling and driving control in dry and wet road conditions. The Potenza RE-01R is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice. The Potenza RE-01R molds a soft tread compound featuring a superior wear resistance polymer to improve both wet and dry grip while contributing to wear and durability. Read more.

Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec (Extreme Performance Summer): The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is Dunlop's Extreme Performance Summer tire developed for serious sports car, sports coupe and performance sedan enthusiasts looking for race tire-like traction on the street or for use in autocross, drifting and track events. The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is for drivers who don't want to wait as long for their tires to come in during initial runs, as well as drivers of lighter weight vehicles who are often confronted with the task of working tire temperatures up to the point of generating peak grip.

As an evolution of the Direzza Sport Z1 and continuing to use the same tread design, the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec tread compound helps provide faster lap times from the start by developing more traction in temperate temperatures along with consistent grip on subsequent laps when the tires are fully warmed up. Read more.

Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 (Extreme Performance Summer): The Ventus R-S2 Z212 is Hankook's Extreme Performance Summer tire developed for the drivers of sports cars, sporty coupes and high performance sedans. The Ventus R-S2 Z212 is designed to provide crisp cornering, responsive steering and a firm grip. Like all summer tires, the Ventus R-S2 Z212 is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice. Read more.

Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07 (Extreme Performance Summer): The ADVAN Neova AD07 is the Extreme Performance Summer tire member of Yokohama's global family of ADVAN performance tires developed for sports car, sports coupe and performance sedan enthusiasts who love sport driving. Used as Original Equipment on the Lotus Elise, the ADVAN Neova AD07 is designed to provide high levels of traction, responsive handling and driving control in dry and wet road conditions. The ADVAN Neova AD07 is not intended to be driven in cold temperatures or in snow.

From Tire Rack

The one that got away

2008-07-16T07:19:00.000-07:00

Finally got the shot that gave heart attacks to so many.

It was the best 8 tsuiso at Star Drift round 2 against my own team mate and thus trying to smoke it up for the run. End up had to much angle and was going to spin. Thus
decided to take the escape route to avoid getting hit.

Gave a few heart attacks to the photographers. All was good and in control as I had already pre determoined their position and saw two of them, Fishee and Josh and then Mizu....and avoided them as well as MrN.But they did not know that. Trusting boys and they are not clipping point..I know...:)

Man I love the angle though, would have been good smoking run if I did not angle it too much....oh well on to the next round to try again.

Picture by Fishee..many thanks

Qualifying video from Star Drift Challenge Round 2

2008-07-15T09:58:00.000-07:00

Managed to get a video of Dunlop32's qualifying run during Star Drift Challenge Round 2. This is the 1st run and I managed to score 90 points for it. This was the cleaner run although 2nd run was much closer to the outer clip and I scored 91 points for it.

Take note on how early I need to get on the throttle to get the car to the outer line after the inner clipping point.

Time for more power!

OAKLEY Carbon X Base Layer

2008-07-03T05:56:00.000-07:00

First time trying out the Oakley Carbon X base Layer. Initial thoughts, was expecting it to be a bit hotter under the sun as it is black in colour. But turn out it was not hot wearing it at all.

The look is cool and the fit is fantastic. Love the red stiching finishing. The short sleeve was a bit confusing for me at first as was not sure which side was front and did not wanted to look weird but then again wearing it either way no one would notice as well as it fits so well either way.

The long sleeve top was great too as I used it on Sunday and worked out really good.

First time throughout the two day I felt cool and sweat dries up really fast and did not have the normal discomfort associated with wearing pants and T shirt. In the past when it got as hot as Sat, I would sometime be seeing stars especially after the heat in the car as I am baking in and out of the car.

After seeing cars catching fire the last round in Bukit Jalil, I decided to be safe than sorry. Skin graft was not an option for me if the car catches fire. Can you imagine as flash fire of over 1000 degrees in the first few second if it flashes into the car. Safety comes first, the heat I can find my Honda and sit in it to cool down with the air cond, which I did. The RM 2.70 fuel price would hurt but then again I am hot. so air cond it is.

The Oakley Carbon X base layers offers the highest level of protection currently available in the market. Carbon X will not ignite or burn even when exposed to temperatures exceeding 2600 F for over 120 seconds. Nomex will disintegrate although it still give you better protection than normal clothing. Best of all it has minimal moisture retention and great wicking properties.

Short sleeve is great for practice just in case.

Long Sleeve is FIA 8856-2000 approved.

Especially when water is been dumped on to you during the prize giving..hehehehe

Star Drift Challenge Round 2

2008-07-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

Star Drift Challenge is getting more challenging each and every time. Drifters are not only going faster, but are also initiating their drifts earlier and at a greater angle.

After working on the Dunlop 32 for 4 days and shaved off almost 40kgs, I'm eager to try how it will perform this round. Reached A'Famosa on Friday to assist Ngan on setting up on the venue. Woke up early on Saturday morning only to realised that the cars were already there but the trailer operator was away.

Nevertheless, I went out for practice and warm-up straight after unloading. Unfortunately, my turbocharger decided to end its lifespan just after 3 laps of warm-up run. I guess stock RB20 ceramic turbine does have its disadvantages despite being one of the cheapest turbo you can get off a scrapyard.

Having not much choices, I'll have to drive back to KL to pick up a replacement from DriftHouse (Joe Han's shop). After about 4 hours of downtime, the car came back to life again. Thanks to Joe Han for assisting me with the mechanical work. Can't imagine if I have to do everything by myself.

Went out for some practice after that just to make sure everything is running fine and also to get my lines correct for the competition of the following day. Also sat in Sean's car to give him some tips and fine tuning his lines.

Initial feel after lightening is that the car feels much responsive under throttle. Cornering speed also improved and I can throw the tail at a greater angle now. Straight line speed is still slow though... but then again, the engine is stock standard apart from the cooling upgrades.

Competition started at 1pm on Sunday.

Judging in qualifying is emphasized on lines, angle and throttle application.

The best run I did was 91 points with an entry speed of 94km/h. That puts me in 3rd qualifying position, behind Tengku Djan of Bridgestone with 99 points and Kim Wan of Toyo with 92 points. Sean qualified in 6th position with 89 points and 99km/h entry speed. This also means that I might face Sean in the best 8 battle if both of us made it pass best 16.

Tsuiso time.

First I was up against Vincent Goh from Team Soon Yeen. His usual ride has broke down so he was drifting with a spare car, a fairly stock JZX90 Mark 2. I kept my composure and went through best 16 smoothly. Sean, on the other hand, went up against Hanizam Hamzah of Feinto D. On their first run, Hanizam dived into the inside line and understeered, giving Sean a slight advantage on the next run. He too progressed without much difficulties.

Bingo! I'm going against my team mate in best 8.

First run, I was the leading car, so I just maintained my lines and drifted through the course. I was given 7 over 3. I guess Sean must have understeered at the back. Second run, despite having advantage, I decided to go full. Sean went off course on the 2nd clipping point, and I progressed to semi finals.

Next up was Koh Kok Hoor with his NOS-ed AE86. As I was the higher qualifier I'll have to start in front. Damn the car's fast. He was up my tail from start to finish and although both of us drifted through without mistake, that gives me a 4 over 6 disadvantage. Second run, that's it. If I don't push 120%, I'll fall back to 4th placing as Tengku Djan got eliminated in semi finals which will put him in 3rd placing for sure. I guess I've pushed it too far this time and my gear is stuck in 1st on the straight. Before I could get out of 1st into 2nd, Koh is already 10 cars length ahead of me.

I soon learned that Koh's car is running a silvertop 4AGE with 100-shot NOS, which probably has more power than my bone stock RB20, putting aside the weight differences.

After Round 2, I'm now 4th place in the championship standings, with Koh on 3rd, Djan on 2nd and Tan Tat Wei on 1st.

Next round of Star Drift Challenge will be held in KSN Bukit Jalil. In the mean time, I guess it's more weight saving and fine tuning of the handling for the Dunlop 32.

Star Drift Round 2 - Hard Work

2008-06-30T04:09:00.000-07:00

Well the event came and gone and it felt like a few more days would have been fun. It was a tiring event as I was driving so much and fun with playing with the lines and playing with the in cab Kung fu doing everything in one go with much excitement going on as oppose to the norm.

Sat was pretty hot day. It was smoky though and fun to drift as well as the speeds were fast and once again, there is a fast transition was included. Although the Sat was not as packed as tyres were worn pretty fast with the speed and hot day combine thus conserving tyres to ensure we end up with enough to run the competition on Sunday was going to be important if it turned out just as hot.

Yoong, unfortunately have a blown turbo after going out for about 3 laps. Luckily a new turbo was available at Drift House AKA Joe Han AKA Donut Dweeb. Thus Yoong did the deed of driving back to KL to get it and returned to Melaka. He and Joe Han were hard at work replacing the turbo in a couple of hard labour in the scorching heat. Lucky we hard the canopy as well.

I, on the other hand was really enjoying the track layout. The car perform well without any hick up even with the oil temp hitting 120 degrees most of the time. Time to think of what engine oil that can hold up to sustain high temp and not self destruct the engine after prolong use. Maybe need to plan for oil changes next time to just make sure the engine is always fresh.

Sunday, was eventful, Wanting to just make sure I get into Top16 qualifying. No longer can play around and do my normal show driving as I know I am going to get shot if I do it again. First run was ok as I felt like I was not fast enough as it felt like I almost lost the tail but it did not. So it was good. Second run was good and clean thus give it all it got for third run which was up to the clipping point. Did not managed to hit it though. but din plan to do it as I did wan to wash off too much speed just to hit the clipping point. Keep it clean and get into Top 16 was my plan. turn out well as I qualified 6th placing

Yoong, did even better, he qualified in 3rd position. Although, he is in a standard car with a standard Rb20, which no one seems believes. Guess he can push it to the max and get it to go well and the ability of the Dunlop Direzza Dz 101 to grip and smoke it up, really give a great chance to perform well.

This time round we were practising with 245/45/17 and ran 255/45/17 for the competition. Great opportunity for us to test different sizes and what it will do and also run different tyre pressures to test grip levels and drift angle we can hold. Found out even if we run till the tyres were almost slicks, we were still able to get good grip to run till the tyres were on nylon before we had to change. Did not feel it over heated either which was great too to run more laps. If only the oil could cold down faster or not heat up as much. do wonder what engine oil to try to get the job done.

It did seemed an interesting Tandem battle. Seems the tyre brand were almost competition each other. Even Team Dunlop drivers, Yoong and myself had to meet each other in Top 8 if we win our TOP 16 battles which we did.

Since Yoong was 3rd qualifier it was only natural he needed the win to ensure he stay in the top running for the championship as well as trying to secure a podium finish. I tried experimenting with following as close as possible but ended up straighting up as I got too close and did not want to come near hitting my own team mate's car. Second run decided to make as much smoke since I would have not won the first run obviously. But ended got on the throttle to early due to my enthusiasm. Had a glance and saw Yoong pretty close so I decided to just head straight thru the tyres to give him more room. Gave him a shocked though. And not to mention the three photographers too who were wondering where I am going. Saw the facing expression of total surprise which were priceless. And no, I was not close to hitting them just enough to scare them. Sorry guys had to tell the story. Still can't help to see your faces.

After a long and fast 2 day my manifold gave up and is now leaking like a snake hissing on full throttle. Need to get it repaired soon. At least it hold up for the great two days. And both cars needs new number plates again.

Yoong progress to Top 4 but lost his battle. I think his 1st gear stuck in place and was stuck for a few second before he could engaged into 2nd gear.

Due to Djan losing his battle he was relegated to 3rd position, which now puts Yoong in 4th placing. I was like damn all the planning gone to waste. Oh well that how it goes with motor sports I guess , the smallest mistake changes a lot.

Yoong now is 4th place in the championship which he is still in the running for top placing still.

The nest round is planned to be in Bukit Jalil now to coincide with Merdeka celebrations.

The Date is set on 28-31 August. Yes you are reading it right. Star Drift is going to be four days long this time. First ever. Time to prepare early to get the car ready again.

Hope to see everybody there again and watch the action. Crossing my finger the bump can be avoided this time round. I really hate those bump and jumps. And does not help to know Yoong's corner is always there with open arms.

Photos to come of course by Yoong soon.

Photo's taken by Schoolgirl/Siew Kin aka MrN wife as usual. Our official photographer and videographer.

Kompleks Sukan Negara Drift Session 22nd June

2008-06-26T19:45:00.000-07:00

We decided to participate in this drift session as a practise for Star Drift Challenge Round 2 a week after.

The layout of the drift course resembles the D1 preview round in 2006. Despite my mishap in this layout back in 2006, I decided to push it a little this time. The course is still as bumpy as before, with drainage holes in the middle of the course.

Entry is 3rd gear into a middle speed 2nd gear corner, and full throttle all the way until the finishing line. To my awe, the rear tyres of the Dunlop 32 finished in less than 10 laps! I have to readjust the camber on the rear and dropped the tyre pressure. Adjustment value is limited though as the rear upper arms are stock.

Was about to went out for practice again but then the sky opened.

Tandem drift contest started 4pm in the afternoon. Each team were given 2 sets of runs where team mates need to switch position in each set. The key is to be as synchronised as possible while drifting through the course.

Due to different engine configurations of the Dunlop 13 and Dunlop 32, we spent most of our time matching speed in the first corner during practice. Everything was going fine until the judging runs, where the Dunlop 13 seems to be having problem with front end grip, and understeered in the first corner.

Having too little time to troubleshoot, we had to complete the runs, with a not so satisfying result.

I have a suspicion that the ride height in the Dunlop 13 is incorrect, which contributes to the handling problems it had. Will have to do some minor adjustments before Star Drift Challenge Round 2.

Mosquito control

2008-06-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

My garage is like a tyre warehouse now with a total of 44 tyres stacking up for the events on the next two consecutive weekends. There's a mixture of 17s sized 225/45, 245/40 and 255/40, all getting ready to contribute their part for dengue prevention. :)

We'll be at Kompleks Sukan Negara Bukit Jalil Carpark A this coming Sunday (22nd) for the team tandem contest. I will of course pair up with Sean in the Dunlop drift machines. Event starts from 9am-6pm. Do drop by and check it out!

Star Drift Challenge Round 2

2008-06-16T11:09:00.000-07:00

Once again, the most exciting drift event coming for its 2nd installment of year 2008.

Although there were no upgrades on the Dunlop drift machines since the previous round, I've however did some lightening work on the Dunlop 32. I shall see how weight reduction will affect the handling of the car before deciding to increase the power output or further stiffen up the chassis.

Thrill rides tickets will be available at the ticketing counter if you wish to have a ride in the Dunlop drift machines. :)

Don't miss this event as this is where you'll see the best of the best in Malaysia go against each other.

For more info, go to www.drift.com.my/stardrift

Team Tandem Competition 21/06/08

2008-06-14T21:52:00.000-07:00

Looks like next week is going to be an interesting one again after a long long period of no smoking....

It will not be the usual full on Top 16 battle but this time round it would a free practice followed by a Team Tandem battle, which means two team drivers will drive tandem and coordinate to do a show. Sort of a ballet on wheels with all the discipline of drifting.

Would be interesting, as this type of competiton rarely happens, last I can think of was like 2-3 years ago.

Time to practice and learn new rules and formats.

Always good for the spectators to watch as they would love the angle, smoke and close running of two car almost kissing each other, going into the corner side by side...... and still trying to match each other rather than overtaking or just getting close by

After that would be Star Drift In Melaka on the 28-29 June for Round 2 of the championship.

See you guys there...

Aero Catch from Garage R

2008-06-09T05:07:00.000-07:00

An Aero catch bonnet latch system from Garage R, it is something that looks really cool and best of all if the vehicle bonnet lock fails me again like during Formula Drift at least I have peace of mind that i can lock it.

Can't wait for my bonnet to arrive and get it installed.

And for my car to be ready again with the new project upgrade.

Under Ground Tuners Stage 1

2008-06-08T11:34:00.001-07:00

Thought I add in the video made by UnderGround Tuners during the first preview of the event in KL at I Zone Pub and Bistro

Rainforest Sports Bar Grand Opening, 2nd June

2008-06-06T04:50:00.000-07:00

DCM is once again invited to team up with The Underground Tuners for the grand opening of Rainforest Sports Bar at Pavilion Shopping Center downtown. Due to the short notice, only a handful of us were present. Sean was unable to make it as the OMS Drift Performer is still under preparation.

The cars were supposed to be there for exhibition (parking) together with models photoshoot. However, as the night goes, I suggested that we should hype up the atmosphere a bit as there were VIPs around. As a result of it, I performed a donut in front of the bar, on a 2-lane width road. The crowd enjoyed it!

More pictures of the event here.

SOL FIA Helmet Finally Out

2008-05-31T04:28:00.000-07:00

SOL finally got the paint job done.

Look good but all it needs now is an Iridium visor to make a better look.

Fits great, will have to wait till the next event to test it out.

Only thing missing now from the Helmet is a HANS Clip. But might as well wait till the need arise. The helmet is a SNELL SA2005 which mean it is FIA approved helmet.

First Part of NST Article

2008-05-30T06:06:00.000-07:00

A bit late but i guess better late than never.

Previous article from CBT section in NST.

A first initial start to Team Dunlop Malaysia.

Many Thanks to Dinesh

Feature on New Straits Times CBT

2008-05-26T03:04:00.000-07:00

Special thanks to Dinesh from CBT for the excellent write-up.

Good coverage from all aspects including how the team was formed and how we venture ourselves into this scene as well.

The Pre-Dunlop Era

2008-05-25T02:30:00.000-07:00

Some old pics... these were how the Dunlop 32 and Dunlop 13 looked like...

And then... this was before the sticker job...

Coverage on Star Metro

2008-05-23T20:22:00.000-07:00

We were on Star Metro today. Thanks to Maybelline Yeo from The Star Newspaper for the coverage.

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/5/23/central/21269456&sec=central

Motorsport Malaysia Precision Drift Challenge

2008-05-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

On Sunday after the Hari Belia Negara, Team Dunlop were invited to join a Precision Drift Challenge organised by Motorsport Malaysia. However I was not to make it due to my commitment to Asian Festival Of Speed Races in Sepang as a Safety Car Driver.

On the up note, Yoong managed to join the challenge and truly enjoyed the day smoking the Dunlops again and giving the crowd a good show after his last run as well.

Yoong managed to finish 2nd Overall.

Good on ya mate!!!!!

Drift Demo in Bukit Jalil @ Hari Belia Negara

2008-05-16T09:25:00.000-07:00

A drift session were being held in conjunction with Hari Belia Negara on the 15 May. We decided to take the Dunlop drift cars for a spin in the mean time having some tandem practise. Despite the event being fall on a Thursday, the crowd is unbelievable. It's a hot day and the smokes coming out from the Direzzas are massive!

Underground Tunerz Launch @ MardiGras

2008-05-04T02:20:00.000-07:00

Zee and I were invited to display our drift machines at the launching ceremony of The Underground Tunerz at MardiGras One Utama. The Underground Tunerz is a car expo/competition say to take place at a top secret location during September.

Star Drift Challenge Round 1

2008-04-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

Star Drift Challenge remains the best competition in the country, featuring a high speed and technical course with the best drifters around participating, testing the cars' performance and drivers' skill to the limit.

The tyres that were selected for this round are Direzza DZ101 225/45/17 front and 255/40/17 rear. It's the first time we're running 255 rears so we're still testing out various pressure to see how the tyres perform, especially on the tricky 'bank' on the A'Famosa course. A slight drizzle came down on Saturday practise so we're managed to try it out on the wet surface as well.

Due to the high speed drift course, the tyres didn't last very long. On the R32, it can do about 15 laps before the tyres ran out of grip. The 255s are even more smoky and grip is superb (although I think I could use more grip...), I can nail the throttle on full even during transition.

I made some mistake during the qualifying round but was manage to secure a 9th position out of 39 drifters in the Ace group to qualify for best 16. Managed to get to best 8 but lost to Tat Wei in his TE71. Final position for the day is 6th.

Looks like it's time to lighten the car.

Latest upgrade on Hiper DCM Silvia

2008-03-30T13:48:00.000-07:00

Just collected the car from Garage R last week after sitting in Singapore for almost 3 months! Did some major upgrades to the car which include a HKS GT2835R turbocharger, new fuel system, and a lot of cosmetic work. Think I could showcase the engine bay at an autoshow next time. Hahaha.

Anyway, the new setup is expected to produce 440whp at 1.7bar of boost, and for day-to-day running and practise, Lester has added a map selector for it to run at a lower boost to preserve the transmission.

For full specifications of the car, it can be viewed at the DCM Garage:
http://www.drift.com.my/forum/garage.php?mode=view_vehicle&CID=10

Thanks to HKS Garage R Singapore for the sponsorship and neat work.

Star Drift Challenge Road Show @ Prima Saujana

2008-03-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

Star Drift Challenge Road Show was held in conjunction with Carnival Prima Saujana 2008 and KW Autoshow in Dataran Prima Saujana Kajang. After 2 weeks of preparing the car, we're finally be able to make our first appearance as planned, showcasing both the S13 and the R32. The Dunlop 'chequered' decals are courtesy of Tom's Stickers.

We were given 225/45/17 Direzza DZ101 for testing. First impression is that the tyres are very smoky! We're also trying different tyre pressure to see how the grip and wear is. Despite running very high tyre pressure for the ultimate smoking effect, the tyres don't chunk, which is very impressive.