Petronas MME Launch - 4th August 2006

The first event that my new ride attended was the launch of the Petronas Primax 3 Merdeka Millennium Endurance 2006 in Saloma Bistro & Theatre Restaurant in the heart of Kuala Lumpur City Centre. With Petronas as the title sponsor, Sepang’s prestigious 12-hour endurance race is officially named as Petronas Primax 3 Merdeka Millennium Endurance 2006 this year.

The event was attended by MME drivers and teams members with their respective racing cars. To officiate the launching, a fleet of Japanese Sports Cars were flagged to 'tour' around the city escorted by the Traffic Police outriders. Amongst the types of cars that were in the convoy were Nissan Skyline R32 - R34, Nissan 350Z, Nissan Silvia, Toyota Supra, Toyota MR-S, Mazda MX-5, Mazda RX-7, and many more.......

The final decision ...

After calculating my budget numerous times, it is apparent that I could only afford the Toyota MR-S. The S15 and ER34 are around RM25,000 higher. That poses a problem for me. Should I settle for the MR-S and live with it for 2 or maybe 3 years before I had to dispose of it due to it's uhm...miniature dimensions or shall I stretch a bit more and got for either the S15 or the ER34??

Now how shall I decide this?? Take a drive in one! Yea, thats it! A test drive on the ER34 settles it! I was hooked!!! The pull of the car, the whistle of the turbine, the induction sound and the growl of the exhaust is simply automotive heaven.

You wouldn't believe how many car yards I have visited looking for the one. I have seen a lot of ER34 with all sort of colours; Bayside Blue, White, Black, Lightning Yellow, Sparkling Silver, Athlete Silver, etc.....

The irony is that out of 10 cars, 9 are probably the Dual matic M-ATx version. Finding one with a stick shift is tough. It's even more tougher to find one in excellent condition! My requirements (preferably!) are a manual transmission with as many optional equipments as possible, i.e privacy glass, NISMO kit, sunroof and also the Navigation screen. Hmmm....easier said than done. With so limited choices of manual trannies out there, it's almost impossible to get all of the above in one car!

In the end??? Settled on one White (QM1) ER34 manual transmission with no privacy glass, no NISMO kit and no Navigation screen (it's not usable here in Malaysia anyway). After all the paperwork (deposit payment, loan application, balance payment, attaining the number plate, vehicle inspection, vehicle registration, vehicle insurance, etc......phew.....), I took delivery of the car on Thursday, 3rd August 2006.

What's next after the PV6 ???

Well, with the departure of the ever faithful PV6, it's time to look at another replacement ride. Many sorts of vehicles have crossed my mind. Amongst them which are seriously considered are:-

1) Toyota MR-S (MK3)
This nimble little bugger is a 1,784cc, mid engined rear wheel driven runabout producing 138bhp @ 6,400rpm / 169Nm @ 4,400rpm. It's sub one tonne in weight and handles like a dream. In my mind, it would be a delight to power this car 'round autocross tracks. Yummy indeed!! It's beginning to look more and more like a "poor man's" Lotus Elise. Think about it, below 1,000kg in weight, 1.8 litres in capacity and about the same size too........Hmmmm…….

The only letdown is its just waaaayyy too small inside and the interior is kinda dated in design and feel. Furthermore, the more elusive MR-S with the more powerful 2ZZ-GE VVTLi (190hp @ 7800 rpm) engine six speeder are not to be found here.


2) Nissan Silvia Spec R (GF-S15)
This car is built to drift! The S15 is a wonderfully sleek looking car. I first set eyes on one real life back in 1999 in Perth, Australia. It has a feminine yet menacing stance to it. I have seen a couple of examples in the car yards and I loved the seating position (legs stretch out almost straight not unlike an Elise). Coupled with a six speeder, it's quite a dream machine.

The car punches out 250bhp @ 6,400rpm / 274Nm @ 4800rpm. Plentiful for stock standard! The only downside is that I doubt I can use this an a daily driver.......dunno why but just don't think I can live with a low slung car like the S15 day in day out.


3) Nissan Skyline R34 GTT (GF-ER34)
Now Skylines have always been my dream car, albeit more of the GT-R. I first set eyes and fell in love with the Skyline in 1995 when I saw the R33 GT-R in midnite purple colour. Simply a magnficant beast. But of course the GT-R is way out of reach.

However, the R34 GTT seems like an affordable alternative. It 2,498cc RB25DET pumps out 280bhp @ 6,400rpm / 343Nm @ 3,200rpm to the rear wheels. Yummy indeed. Tuning potential for the car is huge but unfortunatly, costs to upgrade is also on the high side. Nevertheless, it’s indeed an interesting preposition and I’m leaning towards this car…....heavily!

My Proton Perdana V6 has moved on........

It is with great sadness that my ever faithful Proton Perdana V6 that had served me since year 2000 has moved on. It is officially handed over to the new owner on Tuesday, 25th July 2006. During these 6 years, many effort and time has been poured into turning the vehicle to handle better, brake better and gives out a tad more power than it originally had. It is also my only weapon for my speed fixes. Took the babe out for many autocross/gymkhana competitions, track days in Batu Tiga and Sepang International Circuit and of course not discounting the countless hill drives up to Bukit Tinggi, Frasiers Hill and Genting Highland.

The only memory of it now are just some pictures as below:-

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine
Apexi Dual Funnel Power Intake
Transmission Oil Cooler
Transmission Oil Cooler Water Spray System
Hot Bits Manifold/Extractors
Hot Bits Mid Pipe
Decat

Electronics
Apexi S-AFC
Apexi RSM
HKS Turbo Timer Type-1

Suspension
Eibach Pro Kit Springs
Eibach Anti Roll Bar
Koni Adjustable Dampers
Hot Bits Front Strut Bar
Hot Bits Rear Strut Bar
Ultra Racing 3 Point Fender Bars
Polyurethane Foaming (Doorsills, B Pillars, Front & Rear Sub Frame Chassis)

Brakes
Eterna Twin Turbo Twin Pot Calipers (Fr)
Slotted Fr 276mm Disc Brakes
Pro-RS Stainless Steel
Brake Hoses (With Teflon inserts)
EBC Brake Pads

Footwork
17 inch Prodrive GC-06D Wheels
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 (215/45/17)

Interior
Recaro SR3 Viper Red
Razo Pedals
Eclipse E7703AVX – Head Unit
Eclipse 8052 5" Mid – Fr Speakers
Eclipse Passive Crossovers
Eclipse 3/4" Tweeters
Kenwood KFC-6907 6X9 200W – Rear Speakers
Epsilon ESQ 75.4 4 channel Amp 75W

Styling / Cosmetic
R3 Carbon Fibre Hood
Carbon Fibre Number Plates
OMP Hood Pins
Eterna Rear Spoiler
Roof Spoiler
Custom Grille

The above took me 5 years to built and at the end of it, there is nothing left to be done anymore except for an engine change to a 6A12 Twin Turbo or a transmission change. Both of which I'm not willing to do which means Project 8110 has drawn to an end.

You will be missed.........