Wednesday, 10th October 2007
Ipoh, Malaysia
Working conditions fairly relaxed
Mr Rong posing with the 2 ang-mo's
We are now comfortably accommodated at the Impiana Casuarina Hotel in Ipoh after a relatively smooth and uneventful drive from Sentosa Island in Singapore.
Before reporting on the day’s events, mention should be made of the wonderful dinner laid on for all participants on Tuesday evening at the Raffles Town Club. The event was attended by a number of special guests including MP Dr Lim Wee Kiak (who is patron of SMSA), Ms Liu Xin Wen, Deputy Governor of Guangxi Provence, China and Mr Tan Teng Lip, President of SMSA. A lavish buffet dinner was provided with entertainment. Gifts were exchanged between special guests and Team Singapore, Motorsports (TSM) members were presented with their CAITA 2007 event shirts. The incoming Singaporean Team was given a rousing welcome by all participants.
The start of the Rally from Sentosa Island was exciting for all participants. Both China and Singapore press were in attendance and coverage of the event and the official start was very good. MP Dr Lim and Deputy Governor Liu with other VIP guests were present to address the Rally members and to take part in the official start.
A Police escort led all cars (25 in all) across the Island to the Tuas crossing point. An event free drive followed getting us to our first stop for lunch in the beautiful city of Malacca. An excellent lunch was provided by our China hosts at a local restaurant. Unfortunately, our departure from Malacca was delayed by a problem with one of the vehicles in the rally – the main coach. We did not manage to leave the city until 3.30PM and this in turn delayed our arrival in Ipoh until about 9PM.
The drive from Malacca was relatively smooth although late rain did make conditions somewhat difficult on occasions. The art of convoy style driving did not come easily to everyone but we are confident we will all get better with experience. Today we traveled a total of 617 kilometers. This is about the average we will need to maintain over the entire 6,000 kilometer journey.
“Team Singapore, Motorsports (TSM) passed its first test remarkably well. We came across a Chinese team who had strayed from its convoy – probably let down by the failure of its in-car communication system, bad weather and apparent difficulties in coping with a left-hand drive vehicle in a right-hand drive environment. The 2 cars from TSM answered the distress call by selflessly shepherding the Chinese crew to its destination. The incident had not only given valuable impression to the organizer, it demonstrated the efficient teamwork of TSM.”
Leslie Chang, Chief d’ Mission, TSM.
Along North-South Highway, West Malaysia
Newly refurnished room at Casuarina Hotel, Ipoh
