After the dinner, everyone relaxed at the living area to view the slide show. This was followed by the prize presentation and the irresistible treat of top grade durians.
I had the chance to express my thanks to participants and helpers who had made the Driveaway a success. Here’s an extract of my speech together with the relevant pictures:
I met this guy (Rickson) when I was assisting Angie during last year’s Volvo Driveaway to Trengannu. Both of us have since exchanged e-mails regularly and he was disappointed to learn that S M Motors will not be organizing a road trip this year.In April this year, Rickson encouraged me to take ownership and organize a Driveaway for families and friends. When the inaugural event by BIG Rallye was announced, he responded promptly and even helped to bring in more entries. During the event, Rickson displayed a high level of sportsmanship and we also found him to be very talkative over the radio. Thus, it is highly appropriate to present Rickson (aka Car # 2) a pair of walkie-talkie so he could further hone his communication skill.
Cathryn and Peter (Car # 7) are my new friends and both of them did an earlier drive with me to Thailand during March this year. I suspect Cathryn had suffered withdrawal symptom from that trip and thereafter, like Rickson, she kept asking me for more of such drive events. On the other hand, she understands the commitments that I have for my ongoing watch business. Hence, she offered to do all administration work and related errands if I were to lead any future overland trip. That initiative has evidently resulted in this very memorable Driveaway.On behalf of everyone, would like to congratulate Cathryn for a job well done. Special thanks to Peter for helping me to look after the convoy and his commentary at the oil refineries in Kertih..
Johann Er (from Car # 6) has been doing business with my company for more than 25 years. He was among the early birds who signed up for the event. And I was really looking forward to my first social outing with Johann after this long time. But the much anticipated bonding took place in a very different form. During the trip, my son - Bingo, became very attracted to Johan’s 18 year-old daughter! And this new ‘couple’ struck off very quickly. By the time we arrived at Kijal, they were rehearsing their ‘wedding reception’! To maintain good relationship between the 2 families, Bingo will serve tea and present an ang-pow (containing Stamford Tyres voucher) to his future ‘father-in-law’.
Car # 3 is a Honda SUV carrying 2 lovely young couples (read honeymooners) – Andy and Katherine; Kok Seng and Vanessa. They were introduced to this event by Rickson. Their car was apparently very quick on down slope but would struggle to get uphill. On closer inspection on the size of their driver, one can get a better understanding. So here’s another Stamford Tyres voucher to the Most Outstanding Participant.
There was another car that was very quick on down slope but would struggle to get uphill or during overtaking. It was Car # 15, driven by another outstanding participant – Chew. The distinctive Berlingo, with its 1.4-litre engine, was the ‘baby’ of the convoy. Overall, I am pleased that both Chew and the car coped very well throughout our 1,800 km journey. For their hard work, the car gets complimentary car care products while Chew and his wife will be presented with a food hamper that includes lots of boosters and vitamin supplements.
For most sectors of our drive, the white Santa Fe doubled as Safety and Sweeper car. It was driven by our Medical Officer, Dr Tan Poh Heng. Although Poh Heng forgot to bring along the pregnancy test kit, I think he did a good job of looking after all of us and baby-sitting my children and nephew who were in the same car. I would like to thank Poh Heng for his multi-role contribution throughout our 4-day event.
CT Koh from Car # 10 enjoyed the drive so much that he kept asking me when he could sponsor the next event. I think his wife also enjoyed the event but in a very different manner. In the car, she was always busy applying sun-block. During our stops, she would buy so many things that Car # 8 and # 12 had to lend her some boot space. Fortunately, by the 3rd day, she finally stopped buying things. We would like to present Stamford Tyres voucher to CT Koh. And for Mrs Koh, we’ll provide some shopping bags and a very useful bottle of sun-block.
The passengers in Car # 1 were Alfred and Emily. They were invited on this trip because (a.) Alfred is always ready to buy drinks for friends and (b.) Emily’s vocal talent is as good as any professional singer. By now, I am sure all of you would agree with me on both points. And it would be unimaginable to do any future Driveaway without them on board. But for now, we will present Emily with a mike for the Best Singer Award.
Car # 5 read about our event in the papers and promptly signed up for the event. While they were in my office, the 2 men (Francis and Tony) were so eager to go but their wives (Sharon and Carrie) appeared apprehensive. However, as we partied together during the nights at Awana Kijal, I soon discovered that matured-looking adults can be rather playful too. Both Francis and Tony are voted the Best Entertainers for the event.
Angie (Car # 12) is not only a very good MC. She is a pioneer of Driveaway events – way before the handful of self-drive holiday companies were founded. She did Treasure Hunt rallies in the ‘80s and many luxury self-drive tours in the ‘90s. That explains the fine hotel arrangements and the lunch booking at Tanjung Jara that we enjoyed during the trip. And whoever engages Angie’s help, the photography services from Eddie comes free. I am fortunate and thankful for the support provided by Angie and Eddie.
The short-listed candidates for Best Dressed Car and Best Participant Award are Car # 8 and # 9. First, let’s look at Car # 8. To start off, the bulky Volvo station wagon is not a sexy car for dressing up. But Allan (aka Colonel) did an excellent job with the sticker placement and bubble-free installation.
But I was more impressed with his vast knowledge and explanation on the palm oil plantation. In addition, the Colonel’s ability to take on various impromptu roles lands him the Best Participant Award. Allan will be receiving more stickers so he could keep practicing his application skill. Thereafter, he will get his official prize - a set of SSW Sports Wheels. I must also add that throughout the event, Allan and his wife (Linda) have shown us how loving a couple can be.
Finally, some words about our very productive couple from Car # 9. To win the Best Dressed Car award, one had to do something extra. Other than placing the car stickers accordingly, Car # 9 added a S’pore flag on top of their sporty Golf GTi. Gary deserves special mention for combining family and long-distance driving in the same event. His petite wife (Bee Bee) has given birth to 2 young boys and Gary just confirmed that she is now carrying their 3rd child. Bee Bee will receive the top prize – an exclusive Orient mechanical watch. As for Gary , we’ll give him this pair of pants for his insistence that he is the undisputed head of the family.
