The 2nd edition of the ASEAN-India Car Rally (AICR) was held from 25 Nov to 21 Dec 2012. Starting from Yogjakarta (Indonesia), the Rally passed through Singapore, Ipoh, Hat Yai, Phuket, Bangkok, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh, Pakse, Savanakhet, Vientiene, Chumphone, Sukhothai, Hpa An, Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, Ka Lay, Kohima and Guwahati (India). India Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Heads of State of all ASEAN nations witnessed the ceremonial flag-down at the Rally’s final stop in New Delhi.
The following is a daily account of Leslie Chang who is the leader of the Singapore team.
Photos: Ernest Chua / TODAY
Delhi (@ Red Fort with PM Lee and Mrs Lee), 21st Dec 2012
Upon
invitation from the High Commission of Singapore to India, the Singapore team travelled
to the Red Fort shortly after lunch. The venue had been closed to the public
for the day and we were received by the officials from the Commission at the
entrance.
PM
Lee Hsien Loong, Mrs Lee, their accompanying officials and the media arrived as
per schedule. It was “ladies first” during the introduction of members to the
Prime Minister.
The
Prime Minister was happy to note that we had a doctor onboard, and even more so
when he learnt ‘RallyDoc’ Poh Heng also served as Medical Officer for the
entire convoy.
PM Lee and his wife then initiated this group shot with the team.
The
Prime Minister kindly accepted a cap from the Singapore Motor Sports
Association. He thanked the team for its participation in the Rally.
Thereafter,
the venue officials and curator led PM Lee and his wife on a guided tour.
Inevitably, most
valuables and marble inlays at the fort had been looted over the years.
However, many decorative elements in the buildings are still in fairly good
condition.
The
tour ended at the back garden of the fort where the Prime Minister shared a
light moment with Leslie.
PM
Lee asked Leslie about the rally route, road conditions and if GPS was used by
the cars.
Leslie
candidly remarked that not only did the Singapore team work in perfect tandem
with the Organisers, they also brought added value to the Rally.
While
the Prime Minister was being interviewed by the media, the ladies in our team
took this photo opportunity with Mrs Lee.
Mrs
Lee was pleasantly surprised to hear the team’s positive comment about the
Mahindra XUV 500 - the car of Indian make sponsored by Mahindra & Mahindra
for the Rally. Here's one more shot for the album featuring Car # 22, one of
the 2 cars driven by the Singapore team. (Note: Orient timepieces worn by the
team members are also featured in this photo)
Having
clocked almost 8,000 km in just 19 days, the engine bay of the Mahindra was
hardly presentable. PM Lee laughed when Leslie reported that the earthy sight
was due to the integration of soil from India and ASEAN countries.
Finally,
the Prime Minister politely asked if he could get inside the car to check out
other features.
Leslie
is seen here with PM Lee and Mrs Lee, playing the part of a car salesman from
Mahindra. The ‘potential buyers’ were happy to gain a better understanding of
the vehicle including the use of the radio communication set which was
installed in all the rally cars.
More
details about the Mahindra XUV 500 can be viewed at:
