New Subaru Debutes at Greece WRC

Finally after a long wait and alot of testing by the Subaru WRC team, comes the new 5-door WRC Car. Don't let the bulky looks fool you, the car has been proven to be a world class competitor. Now we wait and see.

Personally I didn't quite like the new car when it first launched. But I grew to like it as the STi versions started to pop out into the market. Alot of reviews have been going on about the performance and handling, comparing it to the Mitsubishi Evolution X which is the closest rival to the Impreza. But never the less I wouldn't mind owning one :)

Here are some specs of the car :

• Engine: H-4. Flat four-cylinder, 16 valve, turbocharged
• Capacity: 1994cc
• Bore: 92.0mm
• Stroke: 75.0mm
• Engine management: Subaru programmable electronic engine management system
• Power: 300bhp @ 5500rpm
• Torque: 650Nm @ 3000rpm
• Transmission: Six-speed electro-hydraulic, Electro-hydraulically controlled center differential, Mechanical front and rear differentials
• Drive system: Subaru Symmetrical All Wheel Drive
• Suspension: Front: MacPherson strut, Rear: MacPherson strut
• Shock absorbers: Bos, fully adjustable
• Brakes: AP Racing 310mm ventilated discs and six-pot calipers front and rear. For asphalt use, front brakes are 378mm ventilated discs with six-pot calipers
• Exhaust system: Inconnel with Subaru anti-lag system. Fitted with catalytic converters
• Steering: Power assisted rack and pinion
• Dimensions: Overall length: 4415mm
• Overall width: 1800mm
• Overall height: 1475mm
• Wheelbase: 2635mm
• Car weight: 1230kgs (WRC regulation min.)
• Data systems: Single integrated electronic system controlling engine, transmission and data-logging
• In-car display: LCD color monitor with eight selectable data screens
• Tires: Pirelli (championship control tire)
• Radio equipment: Kenwood
• Turbo charger: IHI - with WRC-regulation 34mm restrictor and Subaru anti-lag system
• Spark plugs: DENSO
• Wheels: BBS: 15" diameter for gravel, 18" for tarmac

Motorsports Growth in M'sia

Finally the government is doing something extra for the world of motorsports. Growth of the sport here in M'sia is slow, so slow in fact that even the best drivers don't even have a chance to show of their talents to big names that would have definitely benefited from their driving skills.

Well at least they are doing something now. Even if it's a small sum, it's a start.

A couple of GRA guys including Me were invited to drive around in circles to demo what we do in Autocross. The place was kinda tight and small but everyone was able to navigate without any problems.

Read more here :

http://blog.autoworld.com.my/index.php/2008/05/18/only-rm4-million-for-motorsports-development/

Here are some official photos :

Most of us were taller than the hardcore racer kids..haha

Lining up for the start of the demo

Xbox360 : Grand Theft Auto 4

Andy's Rating : 10/10

I've been a fan of GTA since it it was released wayyy back in 1997 with it's top view style gaming. It was considered revolutionary in the gaming world in terms of freedom to do anything and to go anywhere. Fast forward to 2008 and now we have the 4th installment of the game that is available on major gaming platforms. 3D graphics which are excellent and gameplay that will keep you busy for hours. The makers of the game really put alot of effort into this game and is expected to sell alot of copies. I managed to grab a copy for the Xbox 360 and when I was at the store they had quite a lot of copies for PS3 and the Xbox 360, so go get it!

Apart from the normal things you can do like stealing a car, shooting people, driving like a mad man on the streets of Liberty City there are other elements that have been added to the game. For example, the mini games like bowling, 8-ball pool, darts and some others which I am not aware of yet cause I just started the game. But so far I'm impressed with the contents, graphics, sound and freedom where after you finish the main story mode you'd have alot more of things to do.

Food Junction @ Pavilion

I must say that excellent hawker food is hard to come by in KL. Although the KL style hawker food is nice, sometimes you'd want to eat food from your hometown. Well I can't say that I carve Penang food yet, but maybe sometime in the near future I might. Ahh but I do have friends and sometimes even sweetie wants some local hawker food.

If you've been to Food Junction which is located at the lower levels of the Pavilion mall in the heart of KL you'd know that there is good food there. Sifu Ivan always said the food there was good. We had a chance to taste some of the dishes and I must say that it's really good. Sweetie had the Penang Laksa and I had the Hong Kong style chicken noodles. Both of which were really really good! We didn't have the space to continue eating but we'll be back there once again.

So if you crave good hawker food, head on over to Food Junction at the Pavilion. It's worth the trip.

Formula 1 : Turkey

Bravo bravo! Felipe Massa does it once again. From 1st on the grid to the top step of the podium.

Flying North and South

If you're wondering why I haven't updated my blog these few days is because I have been flying up and down the country. Don't worry I'll post an update on why I've been flying so much lately. But for now I just wanna lay down and go to lala land.

An Evening @ Alexis

I was invited by sifu to Alexis at Ampang to watch a jazz performance by his friend Sharizan. He's a nice guy with a great personality, it's hard to see someone this original in the Malaysian entertainment industry. Check him out www.sharizan.com

Alexis at Ampang is a nice place to wine and dine with stage performances by jazz singers, surprisingly a lot of international jazz singers actually perform there. Check out their website www.alexis.com.my

I'll upload photos later on once I get them from the digi cam. :)