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You might be able to return home for Hari Raya if you are stuck in another place

On March 18, 2020, the government activated the Movement Control Order (MCO) nationwide as a measure to stop the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus by limiting human contact. As had been seen when some other countries had implemented similar actions, many people quickly left the cities to return to go to other places and as some of them were already infected, they carried the virus further and started an explosion of cases.

The Malaysian government wanted to avoid that so one of the strict conditions was that there would be no interstate travel, besides forbidding Malaysians to leave the country. The aim was to keep those who might be infected where they were so that health authorities could identify and screen them and then isolate them. But even before the MCO started, there were already some infected persons going to other towns and the spread would later be evident in other parts of the country as clusters of infected persons were found.

Roadblock — *Over 830 roadblocks have been set up nationwide to monitor traffic and strictly enforce the MCO regulations.*

So there have been many people who went back to their hometowns before the MCO started and then got stuck there ever since. But with Hari Raya coming, the government is still reluctant to lift the interstate travel restriction. The Health Ministry is concerned that if there is the usual ‘balik kampung’ exodus, the number of cases could rise again, and all our #stayathome sacrifices for over a month will have been wasted.

Register with Gerak Malaysia app
However, the government has now announced that those who want to return to urban areas might be able to do so. They can register online using the Gerak Malaysia app with the police and Communications and Multimedia Ministry (MCMC) from April 25 (this Saturday), according to Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob during his daily press briefing today.

Download the Gerak Malaysia app at the Apple AppStore and Google PlayStore

Those who do not have internet access can go to the police station nearest to them to register. But, at this time, this is just registration for permission to travel. A final decision will only be made on or after May 1, after a review by the National Security Council and Health Ministry.

To date, over 830 roadblocks have been set up by the police and armed forces in towns and cities around the country to enforce the MCO conditions. While most people are aware that they cannot do ‘social motoring’, there are still some who deliberately break the law and when caught, they will have to pay a fine of RM1,000 and might also spend time in jail.

MCO has helped
The latest numbers show that there are positive results from having the MCO although it has caused a lot of stress for many people. As of April 21, 5,482 Covid-19 cases have been reported but 3,349 (61%) have recovered while there have been 92 deaths (1.68%) related to the virus.

There are also more Green Zones (areas without any active Covid-19 cases), with the number at 64. Red zones (41 cases or more) number 14, with the highest number in the Lembah Pantai district in Kuala Lumpur (347 cases).

Toyota GAZOO Racing Online Challenge starts in Malaysia!

UPDATE: The first round will be on April 24/25 (Friday/Saturday)

Since 2018, UMW Toyota Motor has been extending its involvement in eSports as a complementary activity to its Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival and Vios One-Make Race events. In fact, it was the first Malaysian car company to be associated with eSports when it sponsored the Toyota Velocity Esports Championship which saw over 400 participants. The second season of the championship last September saw 650 participants.

Now with the Movement Control Order (MCO) restricting much of the Malaysian population to their homes, the company has come up with something that will excite racing simulator gamers and those who are the ‘best of the best’ can even win cash prizes.

RM7,500 total prize money
UMWT has announced an online challenge the Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia Online Challenge which starts off this tomorrow (Friday, April 24, 2020). This is a virtual time-attack challenge which will have 5 rounds between April 24 and May 22, 2020.

The 5 fastest racers in each round will win prizes ranging from RM500 to RM100, with the total prize money for the entire tournament amounting to RM7,500.

Click here to go to the registration/information page for the TGR Malaysia Online Challenge

Entry is free by registering online and open to any Malaysian resident 6 years old or older. Those who want to participate must have a PlayStation4 console (and the relevant accessories, of course) and a copy of ‘Gran Turismo Sport’. They must have, either unlocked or purchased, the GR Supra RZ ’19, Toyota TS050 Hybrid, Lexus Au TOM’S RCF, Toyota GT86 Group B Rally or Supra Racing Concept which are the cars required.

Toyota GR Supra RZ — *The GR Supra RZ, one of the racing cars used in the TGR Online Challenge.*

Players are only allowed to join each Round once to set their best time. The time they set will determine their position and when they enter the next round, there will be a ‘Time Handicap’ imposed on all Top 5 Winners of each round to make it more interesting and challenging throughout the Online Challenge. The Time Handicap will range from 2.5 seconds to 0.5 second.

UPDATE: First round changed to April 24/25

Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato Heritage TWINS by R-Reforged

Bespoke automotive manufacturer R-Reforged, based in Switzerland, has announced plans to produce its Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato Heritage TWINS in-house at its new facility in England. 38 Aston-Martin-licenced units and handbuilt as the 38 Coupe and Speedster TWINS that celebrate the centenary of the Zagato Atelier (1919-2019) and 60-year long partnership between the Milanese ‘Signature’ and British sportscar manufacturer.

19 pairs to be produced
Offered solely in pairs to just 19 customers (with the majority already sold), the sculpted Vantage V12 Zagato Heritage TWINS by R-Reforged were created by Zagato and R-Reforged to combine the best of two automotive worlds: a sporting Speedster in its purest form and a timeless Coupe.

Each features iconic Zagato design cues synonymous with the carrozzeria, notably the ‘double bubble’ roof on the Coupe and, exclusively, the 100th anniversary gold Z badging.

Now derived from the later V12 Vantage, the 19 Coupes and 19 Speedsters feature a reworked version of its 5.9-litre 48 valve, naturally aspirated engine to produce 600 bhp (85 bhp more than the original).

Carbonfibre body with bespoke features
Clothed in an all-carbonfibre body, both incorporate an active aero and deployable rear wing to improve stability at high speeds whilst maintaining the clean surfaces and pure lines of the Zagato design. Combined with a number of other design tweaks such as new, centre locking 19-inch bespoke alloy wheels designed by APP Tech, the overall effect is muscular, purposeful yet graceful and unmistakably Aston Martin.

Owners can specify every element of their cars to the designers, before being invited to witness the team of skilled craftspeople at R-Reforged’s newly-created facility start making their cars. They will see first-hand a blend of traditional and contemporary processes, ranging from Bridge of Weir leather trimming to the latest in additive manufacturing. Options include an ‘infinity’ colour palette with the opportunity to match the interior and exterior to any colour sample provided by the client.

“The Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato Heritage TWINS by R-Reforged are undoubtedly a highlight of our centenary celebrations,” said Andrea Zagato. “A beautiful, bespoke and intrinsic part of our history and creative association with Aston Martin. To own these collectible cars will be a very personal and emotional experience.”

The cars will be unveiled in mid-2020 with production set to begin in the fourth quarter of this year.

What BMW works drivers are doing during #STAYHOME

#STAYHOME – this applies to BMW works drivers as well. Instead of competing in the various race series in the real world, they are currently spending their time at home. But they are by no means sat idle and relaxing; even during this unusual period, the drivers have a full schedule. This ranges from fitness training and sim racing, through time with the family, to pursuing old and new hobbies.

Keeping fit
The works drivers are using the time to keep fit so that they are as well prepared as possible for the first races, whenever that will happen. Two-time DTM champion Marco Wittmann, for example, regularly invites his fans to take part in his training sessions at home via his social media channels.

“At the moment, I really am doing a huge amount of exercise – be it endurance training, strength, coordination, or mental training,” he revealed. For Lucas Auer, new to the BMW DTM squad, sport is his main focus as it is for almost everyone. “I do two sessions a day. It keeps you fit and you feel good. I have a treadmill, an ergometer and an arm crank for my endurance training here at home. I am doing all my specific neck, core and other exercises that I need to stay fit.”

The drivers are being supported with their training at home by Formula Medicine and are being given specially devised training plans. For example, BMW Motorsport Junior Dan Harper, who is currently at home with his family in Northern Ireland. He trains four to five times a week using a training plan that he received from Formula Medicine.

Bruno Spengler, who is contesting with BMW Team RLL in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, is even using his training at home for competitions. He cycles at home and can do it with friends using Swift. “We compete against each other in races online. These online races are really difficult, but are so much fun,” he said, adding that there is also the strength training which he does in the small gym at home.

BMW DTM driver Sheldon van der Linde also set up his own training equipment at home in South Africa. “I’m fitter now than I ever have been and feel even better prepared for the season than I have in previous years. The break has meant that I have used my time to work consistently on my fitness and to focus on it,” said van der Linde.

Preparing for real-life, virtually
There is one discipline that is taking up a lot of time for almost all the works drivers: sim racing “It is currently experiencing an incredible boom in the present situation,” observed Martin Tomczyk, a BMW works driver in GT racing. “Almost every works driver has a simulator at home these days, and anyone who hasn’t got one yet will probably be buying one in the next few weeks.”

The simulations are of a very high standard now, and the race series that are organised by the various promoters are incredibly popular. “Everything is so realistic these days that you really feel the motivation as a racing driver and are ecstatic when you get a win. Set-up work, discipline, concentration and teamwork are factors here as well,” said Tomczyk.

Sim racing not only keeps the drivers in ‘race mode’; it also keeps them in contact with the fans. “Despite the break, we can still put on a show that the fans can follow live. It’s really great, there are different livestreams during the races and everyone really enjoys it. I also think it’s great that BMW is getting so involved in sim racing,” said Spengler.

A positive aspect of the current situation for many BMW works drivers is that they are now able to spend a lot of time with their families, and they are doing so across the whole world. GT driver Augusto Farfus (BRA), for example, is with his wife and children in Brazil. “It’s great that I am with my family. This hasn’t been the case for the past 20 years of my life. Unfortunately, it’s because of something that is by no means pleasant, but at least I get to spend a lot more time close to my parents and my family than usual,” he said.

Old and new hobbies
Aside from fitness training, sim racing, family life and home schooling, the BMW drivers are also using the current break to do everyday things. “For example, gardening, or sweeping the driveway – all the things that you usually squeeze into your schedule when you’re at home,” explained Wittmann.

Glock has discovered a new hobby – one which many around the world would also have found. He is getting into cooking and doing an online cookery class. “I’ve been meaning to do it for a while. Now I’ve finally got around to it,” said Glock. “It’s a lot of fun, but it’s a big challenge and uncharted territory for me, but it’s working out quite well!”

De Phillippi has branched out in a totally different direction. While he is waiting to get back to the IMSA series and the Nordschleife, he is dabbling in stock exchanges and financial markets. “I’ve developed a great interest in it during this period. I’ve read a lot about shares, bonds and ETFs to learn how they work together so it’s kind of a new hobby for me. You have to read a lot, and there are a lot of complicated aspects, but I’m really interested in anything to do with numbers.”

UMW Toyota Motor reopens selected service outlets

Following the activation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia on March 18 2020, all businesses except those related to essential services were required to stop operations. Service centres were among the businesses that had to remain closed, although emergency assistance services were permitted.

After the extension of the MCO until April 28 2020, MITI has given permission for car companies to resume aftersales services at selected outlets, with certain conditions to be followed. UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) has received approval from MITI to re-open selected authorised Toyota service centres which will operate for emergency and urgent service requirements only, at minimum capacity.

Toyota owners are advised that the services are by appointment only. Customers should first contact the nearest service centre to their home to check if the outlet is in operation and then plan a suitable appointment time/date.

Click here for the list of authorised Toyota service centres to contact regarding operating status

Every effort will be made to ensure the safety and protection of customers when they visit the service centres who will continue to practice social distancing and remain at least 1 metre or more apart to avoid possible transmission of the virus.

With regards to those vehicles purchased from UMWT or their authorised dealers with existing warranties that are valid and expiring during the MCO period, the company announced earlier that there will be a 30-day extension calculated from the last day of the MCO.

The company will continue to provide all customers with assistance for any emergencies or enquiries during the MCO period through its existing helplines. Customers may contact the following numbers throughout the duration of the MCO:

“As we always place customer care as a top priority, all Toyota vehicles sent to our service centres will receive a thorough inspection to ensure they are in good running order. However, we also urge customers to adhere to the regulations of the Movement Control Order and help to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” said Ravindran K. President of UMW Toyota Motor.

Secrets of the Audi V10 engine

At its 8,700 rpm limit, each one of the pistons found in the 10-cylinder Audi R8 engine is traveling approximately 27 metres every second. Or you can put it another way: adding up all 10 cylinders’ worth of work, the engine’s pistons can cover more than 950 km/h. That’s about as fast as your standard domestic commercial aircraft. Each piston outpaces those found in today’s Formula 1 cars.

The 90° 5.2-litre V10 Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) engine was born from the necessity that its performance exceeded the greatest expectations of a supercar customer while still providing refinement and smoothness. Its FSI system was refined through development in Audi’s original Le Mans endurance cars.

Compared with a V8 engine of similar size, the V10 has smaller, lighter pistons, allowing it to rev more freely. Compared with a V12, it has fewer moving parts, reducing complexity and internal friction.

For the US market, the current street-legal R8 V10 Performance is able to generate up to 602 ps at 8,100 rpm and 560 Nm of torque at a 6,700 rpm. That speed and the firing pattern of the cylinders – 1 – 6 – 5 – 10 – 2 – 7 – 3 – 8 – 4 – 9 – give the R8 a hissing tenor exhaust note that builds to a crescendo. Where in turbocharged engines, a turbocharger can act as a sound muffler in the engine, the naturally aspirated V10 wails, with its exhaust baffles opening at higher rpm for full effect.

The V10 engine went into production in 2009, initially making 525 ps and serving as a higher engine option for the R8. Like the entry 4.2-litre V8 engine at the time, which made 420 ps, it was developed by what is now Audi Sport GmbH, the performance sub-brand of Audi.

Like the V8 of the era, the basis of the V10 engine could be found in other Audi models, such as the S6 and S8 sedans. Unlike its sedan counterparts, however, the V10 in the R8 had a different engine crank, designed for a lighter weight, freer-revving engine and adopted dry-sump oil lubrication, which eliminated the need for a traditional oil pan.

In its place, the R8 had and continues to have a baffle plate below the engine that collects outgoing oil and serves as a reservoir for cycling oil through the engine. The oil pump module consists of a suction and feed pump for filling the oil reservoir and a suction and pressure pump for supplying oil to the engine.

This allowed engineers to mount the engine lower, which drops the centre of gravity of the car. It also allows the engine to withstand higher lateral forces as the oil pump will never be starved from cornering too aggressively. An oil cooler is run from the left-side air intake blade to keep the engine running cooler.

The dry-sump lubrication system is identical from the road-going R8 to the R8 LMS GT3 racing car, which can see much higher G-forces on tracks like Daytona and the Nurburgring due to extreme banking, slick tyres and aerodynamic changes increasing downforce.

Extensively re-engineered from the first to the second generation, the current R8 V10 performance engine still retains 40 valves (two intake and two exhaust valves per cylinder), but its springs and the roller-type rocker arms are now made of ultralight and ultra-high-strength titanium, versus steel alloys in previous applications, among other modifications.

The latest V10 also features cylinder on demand (COD) technology, which also contributes to the engine’s efficiency. Under low to intermediate load conditions – when one of the four upper gears is engaged – it shuts down the cylinders of one bank by deactivating their injection and ignition processes. The driver does not notice the transition; at stronger acceleration, the cylinder bank is activated again immediately.

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