Pennzoil-MAM Autosprint Challenge 2008

I'm starting to get the hang of being an MAM (Motorsports Association of Malaysia) steward. I was on duty today at the Shah Alam Stadium Car Park for the Pennzoil-MAM Autosprint Challenge 2008 (PMAC).

I thought of placing an excerp from MAM's website which succintly describes the event:

This event is organised by Wheelspin Event Management and promoted by GSR Motorsports. Event Director & former Malaysian Rally Champion, Mr. Gunaseelan Rajoo (who happens to own/co-own G-Spot bar in Bangsar), commented that the PMAC is just a warm-up to more weekend based, budget friendly, motorsport events planned for 2009. The course is designed to accommodate two competing vehicles running simultaneously and should make exciting viewing for its spectators. Activities for the day start from 9am and ends at 6pm. The presence of Rally, Race, Drift, Classic car, Karting & Pocketbike enthusiasts mean that visitors to the event will be able to mingle with a wide range of Malaysian motorsport personalities who have been brought together by the PMAC.

Since my 'god-brothers', Mickey and Rickey Teoh were driving, it made the day even more worthwhile. Mick was driving his no.21 Toyota MR2 and Rick in his Toyota KE-70 (drift configured)...fortunately or unfortunately, the duo were more affected by the rain than I realised. Mick was overthrottling and spun-out several times. Rick on the other hand didn't know how many rounds around the circuit he was supposed to drive for...nonetheless, both STILL turned out to be podium winners...the Drift god must be looking out for these 2...

A few mishaps occured, but nothing serious. Due to oil slicks on the circuit, a Proton Satri a understeered and smashed its right wheel on a curb, rendering it undrivable as a result of a broken driveshaft whilst for other reasons, Mike Ng in his S-15 had trouble getting the car started again during the 2nd round. Before that, one of our drivers got his car stolen early in the morning and another one had to retire after his drifting KE-70 broke a steering. I was starting the believe that the race was jinx...

The day was hot and wet. But drivers were having fun on the wet-slick circuit after the shower. These days, the weather plays us for fools. Maybe the 'petua' we used was too effective. I was told by the clerk-of-course, Gina that during Malay weddings, the bride and groom would be recommended to fling their foundation garments onto the roof of their house to 'ward off' the rain.

What was planned to be a 5-run event turned out to be only a 3, otherwise, we'd be still stuck there till 8pm or so.

You got to Move It Move It

(Click on the movie poster to go to the link)


"I like to move it move it!"

Hilarious ! Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria, the penguins and the chimps (aka 'thumbs') in the first installment, found themselves marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar now find themselves STILL stuck in Africa, where Alex reunites with this father (Zuba) and his pride.

With military precision and acrobatic prowess, the penguins (the inseparable quattro, Maurice, Kowalski, Rico and Private) have repaired an old crashed plane ( the one stuck on King Julien's tree and from the looks of it, an old DC-9). Once aloft, this unlikely crew stays airborne just long enough to make it to the wildest place of allthe vast plains of Africa, where the members of our zoo-raised crew encounter species of their own kind for the very first time.

And of course, you will not miss the little-old lady who kicks some more lions' ass whilst yelling "you've been a bad cat".

Good fun and witty humour. Something for the kids and adults alike. Moral of the story, friends will always be there for you irrespective of what you are...You will not be wasting time watching this one.

Bond ...James Bond....Is it?

To watch or not to watch...that is the question.
I am mortified by the comments made by my friends who's gone to the pictures. Yee Boon opines its a "waste of time".

Of course, my politically-correct colleague, Sankar (although he hasn't watch the movie) defends the position and preempts further remarks by encouraging yours truly to watch it as an "action movie" and not to expect too much to see the suave spy relishing his shaken (but not stirred) vodka martini as we have known him to be by reason that this Bond is a "diamond in the rough" (after all, its a prequel). Sensible as it sounds, I've always been one who sticks to tradition and identity. An action movie is certainly NOT a Bond flick trait.

Giving the benefit of the doubt will not be easy had I not watch Casino Royale, the first prequel of the Bond family.

Sean Connery set precedent without a doubt, which in his time, took espionage and spydom to a whole new standard. He will always "the" James Bond in my contemplation. The quintessence of a Bond persona is Connery.
George Lazenby was a good try to say the least. Timothy Dalton was not even an attempt and Roger Moore was really entertaining, during a time where the budgets moved the movies half-way accross the world which at that time, was an impressive move for storytelling and dramatics. I did enjoy all the Bond flicks Moore was in. Then came Pierce Brosnan, who projects Bond's persona very well indeed. Then again, many (including I) believes that the torch should have been passed to him long time ago. He does not necessarily make the 'best' Bond, but he'll do.

Nothing against Daniel Craig, but he does look like he can stand in for Jason Statham for a Transporter sequel. And where are all the Bond girls? I mean, the 'real' Bond girls? Something is just artificial about the new Bond films.

I will go watch QOS by reason that it's rumoured the new Trek movie trailer will preceed the movie. According to YB, it does not. I'm beginning to think that the info I got off the net is very less accurate now...but, if I get a favourable confirmation, it'll be a go for me, if not, I will gratefully wait for the DVD

New Trek Updates!

Classic Duo and the "New" Classic New Duo

(...a little surreal don't ya think?)

Space, the final frontier.... Apparently the new Trek XI trailer is out in theaters and is said to play before the newest James Bond flick, Quantum of Solace. I was just having a chat with my buddy (and naturally, fellow Trekkie) Kenny Gordvyn this evening who described the prediliction of many Trekkies for chasing even the slightest glimpse of the teaser trailer back when Cloverfield was on the silverscreen not too long ago. Not suprising, considering the still immense support for the Roddenberry's franchise.

The bridge of the USS Enterprise. Apparently, JJ Abrams wanted all buttons and toggles 'functional' to perfecting dramatic story telling. Facinating!

USS Kelvin (presumably named after William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin,
the British physicist)

So, logic dictates that some will be watching the new Bond flick for the sake of catching the new Trek trailer. After all, the new pictures are out of Trekmovie.com (click on the link) tantalising Trekkies accross the world in anticipation of the movie's release in May 2009. The men in tight uniforms and baggie dress pants are back, with the exception of first glimpse of Kirk's black tunic which JJ Abrams, director of Trek XI discloses that it's part of the story. (remains to be seen...)

Reminiscent of the pose of the original crew of the USS Enterprise

She's beautiful...

What I think I really like about the movie is the "re-refitted" version of the USS Enterprise and Zoe Saldana (hot!) playing Uhura (and for the first time, I found out that her first name is 'Nyota'). Chris Pine plays Kirk whislt the quirky Zachary Quinto plays Spock, the indispensable duo in the classic series. Miracle worker and engineer, Montgomery Scott is played by Simon Pegg whilst Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy is played by Karl Urban. Let's not forget the helmsman, Hikaru Sulu, played by John Cho.


On the other side, Eric Bana plays Nero, a Romulan Commander bent of precipitating war and threaten interstellar peace. Bana looks menacing with those pointy ears, tattoos and the cane he carries around. From Hulk to Romulan.... I think we have a worthy adversary against which the Enterprise's crew will attempt to thwart his plans of destruction.

If the Abrams hold true to his worth, then this movie will be a worthwhile adventure. I am keeping vigilant for updates and news. Hopefully, the latest instalment of the 'boldly goers' will be enought to set phasers to kill!