AICR 2012 - Daily Report (Part 1/7)

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

Singapore to Yogyakarta, 25^th Nov 2012

The participant kits were handed out during signing-in at the Rally Secretariat.

All participating teams attended a Briefing held at Royal Ambarrukmo Hotel.

Meanwhile, rally officials were applying event stickers outside the hotel.

The night view of Prambanan temple (venue for the welcome dinner) was the highlight of the evening.

Yogyakarta to Solo, 26^th Nov 2012

 Solely for the Indonesia leg, the rally cars (Kijang MPV) were provided by Toyota.  The rally officials lined the cars outside the hotel and were ready to hand out the keys by 0700 hours.

The Singapore team comprising of SMSA President Tan Teng Lip, Leslie Chang, William Lyou, Dr Tan Poh Heng, Lee Huey, Bernard Goh, Irene Tan and Ernest Chua(not in the picture)was raring to go.

The Governor of Yogyakarta was among the dignitaries who flagged off the event.

At Manohara lunch halt, Teng Lip represented Singapore at Tree Planting Ceremony.

This was followed by a visit to the Borobudur Temple - a UNESCO heritage site.

 We arrived Solo after sunset and a dinner cum prize presentation was held at the municipal hall.

For displaying good road behaviour and fine teamwork, the Singapore team was awarded the Best Touring Team.

Thereafter, we checked into Ibis Hotel and, at the same time, surrendered the Kijangs to the Organisers.  This concluded the Indonesia leg of the Rally.

Solo to Singapore, 27^th Nov 2012

All participants were transferred from Indonesia to Singapore where they were checked into Hotel Pan Pacific.  A Technical Briefing and a welcome dinner hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore (MFA) were held at the same hotel.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader MP Tarun Vijay (left), who is also the Indian rally team leader, is seen here with his wife and Mr Laurence Bay, MFA’s Acting Director-General of SAA Directorate.

After the dinner, the organising officials (from Confederation of Indian Industry and AutoCar) wasted no time in getting down for a final discussion.

 

Singapore to Ipoh, 28^th Nov 2012

This cheerful Singapore team is made up of people from all walks of life.  They are members of the Singapore Motor Sports Association (SMSA).

MP for Sembawang GRC / SMSA Patron Dr Lim Wee Kiak (center), Mr Laurence Bay and Joint Secretary (ASEAN ML) for Ministry of External Affairs of India, Mdm Renu Pall (right) were among the VIPs and dignitaries at the Singapore F1 track - venue of the Ceremonial Flag Off. 

Dr Lim shared a light moment with SMSA Deputy President Harold Netto (left) and Leslie prior to the flag-off.

Standing on the starting grid of the race track , Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr K Shanmugam presided over the grand ceremony.

Seen here with Leslie and Poh Heng, the Minister wished the team a safe journey.

The convoy was escorted from the F1 Pit Building to the check point at Tuas.

Shortly after crossing the 2^nd Link, we ran into the first wave of welcoming party for the convoy at the Gelang Patah Rest Area.

Souvenirs from STB were well received by any well-wisher.

We were greeted by Malaysia's Deputy Youth & Sports Minister Senator Gan Ping Sieu upon our arrival at Putrajaya.  (Incidentally, Senator Gan was also the GOH at KL Tower when Malaysia was the 'Theme Country' during CAITA 2011)

Dinner was hosted by the local authories at Ipoh Youth and Sports Complex.  Thereafter, the cars were refuelled (kind courtesy of Petronas), followed by night halt at Impiana Hotel.

ASEAN India Car Rally 2012 - Rally Cars

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.

A total of 31 SUVs, kindly provided through the generosity of Mahindra & Mahindra, were shipped from India to Singapore prior to the start of the Rally. The recently launched Mahindra XUV 500 made up 28 units of the convoy, driving rally officials, media crew and participants from India and 10 ASEAN countries. An older model, the Mahindra Scorpio, made up the remaining 3 units which served as support/service vehicles.

The Singapore team was allocated Car #22 (which is equipped with AWD) and #23 (FWD) for the Rally. As seen below, the jaw-like front grill of the XUV 500 is an expression of the cheetah-inspired design described by the manufacturer. (Note the automatic folding door mirrors)

 

All 31 Mahindra SUVs travelled more than 7,500km without a breakdown. Barring the occasional minor adjustments and tightening (due to loose hose, joints, wire etc.), which were carried out during rest stops, the vehicles from Mahindra & Mahindra proved to be very reliable.

 

This feat is all the more respectable considering the cars were exposed to punishing conditions on several occasions.

The Rallyists spent an average of 13 hours per day of driving in their cars. Yet, there have been no complaints of fatigue or the like. This could be attributed to the above-average comfort of the ride, powerful multi-zone air conditioning and the extremely comfortable seats. In addition, the cabin is spacious and offers good visibility for all occupants.

Although the XUV 500 is similar to the SsangYong Rexton in terms of weight and size, it offers a more car-like handling. The 2.2 litre turbo diesel engine may lack refinement for city driving but it is sufficiently strong with useful torque ranging from 1,800 rpm to 3,000 rpm. This suits the rally road conditions which include rather steep climbs. Best of all, the pocket-friendly fuel consumption (12.8 km/litre for Car #22; 14.1 km/litre for Car #23) will appeal to the masses.

For a successful global market penetration, the XUV 500 would need to provide potential buyers with an optional automatic transmission and overall improved quality control. According to the locals, these issues have been or will be addressed by the middle of next year.

 In view of logistical limitations, the Organisers arranged Toyota to provide all participants with Kijangs for the 134-km sector in Indonesia. The Kijang is an entry-level MPV which, interestingly, shares the same platform as the Hilux pickup and Fortuner SUV. Externally, the Kijang may be mistaken as the more expensive Wish.

The Kijangs that were used in the Rally were powered by a 2.0-litre gasoline engine with 5-speed manual transmission. With its mass appeal look, decent performance and trusted Toyota quality, it is no surprise that the car is highly popular in various parts of Asia.

ASEAN India Car Rally 2012 - Background

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 main objective of the AICR is to demonstrate India’s proximity to ASEAN, enhance public awareness of the ASEAN-India partnership and further strengthen trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people linkages.

The very first edition of the AICR Rally took place from 23 Nov to 06 Dec 2004 across 8 countries with a route spanning over 8000 km and included 240 participants with 60 vehicles. It was the largest car rally ever held in Asia in terms of scale and duration. I had the opportunity to be a member of the Singapore team as seen here at the flag-off venue in Guwahati.

We travelled across many rural places in Myanmar. Our Rally Car was a Mahindra Scorpio (designated #42) that proved to be fairly comfortable and, most importantly, reliable.

Packed meals were arranged in areas where rest stops were unavailable.

Despite the challenging conditions, the spirit of integration prevailed. Participants from various countries worked together as a team. We made new friends and developed a better understanding for each other’s culture.

8 years later, on the occasion of the 20th commemorative year of India-ASEAN relations, the 2nd edition of AICR took the reverse route by kicking off from Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and headed northwards winding its way through 8 of the 10 ASEAN countries before finally ending in New Delhi, India. The Rally was meticulously planned and executed by the organisers from the Confederation of Indian Industry and AutoCar. This time round, all participants unanimously agreed that the 2nd edition of AICR was an immeasurable success.

CAITA 2012 - 'Biscuit' and His Lens

Initiated by the state government of Guangxi Province, the primary objective China-Asean International Touring Assembly (CAITA) is to promote the overland connectivity between China and ASEAN countries.  Dubbed as the harmonious modern “Silk Road” as well as the “largest, broadest and longest automobile assembly race in Asia”, it is one of the main events leading to the annual China-ASEAN Summit that will be held in Nanning City, China .  (Official Website of CAITA: http://carally.org/)

Photo-journalist Chan Bin Kan was a member of the Singapore team for the Pnom Penh, Cambodia to Naning, China sector.  Here are some candid moments captured by his camera.


Staying focused is the key to long distance driving.

Majulah Singapura at the Laos/Vietnam border.

First sign of trouble – Hai Yong (CAITA service crew) put on his swimming truck to rescue cars that were stalled at the flood.

Ernest and Leslie checking for blown fuse in the dark.

The exhaust pipes turned into water cannons as the engine restarted after crossing the flooded area.

Someday, more Singaporeans may travel to China via road.

Irene and Leslie can be seen at the extreme right of this group photo.

A farewell dinner specially hosted for the Singapore team.

Here's Bin Kan a.k.a. 'Biscuit' (right), seen here with fellow photojournalist Ernest Chua. 
Thank you for alll the great shots. 

CAITA 2012 - Zaobao Publication

Initiated by the state government of Guangxi Province, the primary objective China-Asean International Touring Assembly (CAITA) is to promote the overland connectivity between China and ASEAN countries.  Dubbed as the harmonious modern “Silk Road” as well as the “largest, broadest and longest automobile assembly race in Asia”, it is one of the main events leading to the annual China-ASEAN Summit that will be held in Nanning City, China .  (Official Website of CAITA: http://carally.org/)

Photo-journalist Chan Bin Kan was a member of the Singapore team for the Pnom Penh, Cambodia to Naning, China sector.  His story was featured in today’s edition of Lianhe Zaobao.