Pescao 55: The 1st MotoGP class rider from South East Asia

Malaysia is in the news again, motorsport news that is.  Hafizh Syahrin, better known to fans as “Pescao 55″, is set to become the first Malaysian and South East Asian rider to compete in the premier class MotoGP for the 2018 MotoGP season with satellite team Monster Yamaha Tech 3. The decision was made after Jonas Folger announce his withdrawal for the upcoming season. Folger missed the final four rounds of last season with severe fatigue issues and, despite reports of a promising recovery, suddenly withdrew from the 2018 season on the eve of pre-season testing in January.

The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team offered "Pescao 55" an opportunity to join their winter test program. After a very successful winter test in Buriram, Thailand, "Pescao 55" is set to become the team mate of Johann Zarco, two time Moto2 champion.

Hafizh will be riding the Yamaha YZR-M1, a highly competitive beast as proved by Johann Zarco in 2017 season. He posted a time just 1.7 seconds off the fastest lap time set by Dani Pedrosa of Repsol Honda Team. 

“I’m really happy to announce that Hafizh Syahrin will be the second Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider alongside Johann Zarco," added team boss Herve Poncharal. "It’s been a tough time since we heard from Jonas Folger, that unfortunately he decided not to race in 2018 in order to look after his health and try to fully recover. It has been a long process to find somebody, who could be the one.

"In Sepang I met Razlan Razali, we were just chatting and now and then you have crazy ideas, which are sometimes the ones that bring the best result. I would like to thank Razlan Razali for his passion, his contagious energy and the involvement he has for MotoGP racing and for the sport in general, plus to support Hafizh Syahrin to climb the last step to the premier class.

FORD recalls several models due to multiple issues

FORD motor company has issued a massive recalls that is going to affect some 202,000 vehicles from various models sold in the US including the F-150, Expedition, Mustang, and Lincoln Navigator. It is understood that the recalls is due to multiple issues affecting models built from 2011-2012 for an issue with the output speed sensor on the transmission’s lead frame. Under certain conditions, the gearbox could force a temporary downshift to first gear and the driver could experience a speed reduction that could cause the rear tires to slide or lock up, which can increase the risk of an accident. Three accidents were reported due to the issues but thankfully there have been no injuries nor fatalities. 

Dealers will have to inspect the powertrain modules for diagnostic trouble codes linked to the issue. A software update to the powertrain control module is in development to prevent the gearbox from abruptly downshifting into first gear if no codes relating to the issue are found. Ford will also provide a one-time replacement for the transmission lead frame at no charge within 10 years or 150,000 miles from the start of the warranty. Dealers will replace the lead frame and perform a software update if a vehicle is found to have codes relating to the gearbox abruptly shifting to first gear.

FORD motor company has also issued a separate recall for 2014-2015 Ford Explorers and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles to replace suspensions links. In certain vehicles, the left and right rear suspension toe links could fracture because of poor weld quality and could result in rear suspension noise, difficulty steering, or loss of steering control. Ford is aware of one accident and one injury caused by the issue. Dealers will replace the left and right suspension toe links and align the right suspension free of charge.

The third recall affects around 2,600 2016 Ford Super Duty trucks, which need to have their tires checked and replaced due to possible damage from a conveyor belt during assembly. The damage to the sidewall could cause a rupture and result in a rapid loss of air in the tire.


FORD has also issued a separate recall for 2014-2015 Ford Explorers and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles to replace its suspensions links. In certain vehicles, the left and right rear suspension toe links could fracture because of poor weld quality and could result in rear suspension noise, difficulty steering, or loss of steering control. Ford is aware of one accident and one injury caused by the issue. Dealers will replace the left and right suspension toe links and align the right suspension free of charge.

BMW into autonomous car

German automotive giant BMW has revealed its car of the future, named the BMW Vision Next 100 Concept.

The car was unveiled at a special event in Munich on Monday, and is the first of four concept cars for its four brands, BMW, Mini, Rolls and motorcycles, which are being released to mark the company's centenary.

The concept car has two modes, called "Ease," an autonomous mode, and "Boost," when a person is driving it; the interior of the car changes according to which more it is being used in.

The Boost mode will enable the driver to tweak and play around with some setting. This will help "expands the driver’s range of perception and transforms him or her into the 'Ultimate Driver' – the best driver they can possibly be," BMW says.

The interior also has revolutionary "skin," or "alive geometry," scales which change color to alert the driver to incidents and objects ahead. The scales are also visible from the exterior of the car in the form of movable wheelhouse covers for optimal aerodynamics, the company explained.


In addition, the "heads-up display" projects signals and directional arrows on the windscreen, within the driver's field of vision.

Concept tires for autonomous car

Goodyear has revealed two innovative new concept tires which the company claims will reshape the future for autonomous (self-driven) cars.

The first is the Goodyear IntelliGrip, designed to communicate with autonomous vehicle control systems, sensing road surface and weather conditions for improved driving safety and performance.

The second concept is even more eye-popping: the spherical-shaped Eagle-360.






The Eagle-360 was designed with key features of maneuverability, connectivity and bio-mimicry for autonomous mobility.

Both tires are designed with safety in mind, which according to recent studies, is a key concern among consumers around autonomous vehicles.

“By steadily reducing the driver interaction and intervention in self-driving vehicles, tires will play an even more important role as the primary link to the road,” said Joseph Zekoski, Goodyear’s senior vice president and chief technical officer.

“Goodyear’s concept tires play a dual role in that future both as creative platforms to push the boundaries of conventional thinking and testbeds for next-generation technologies.”

Event : MUSC Drag Racing Malaysia Championship Road Tour 2016 (Sarawak Chapter)
Date : 11th, 12th & 13th of March 2016
Time : 08:00am to 01:00am
Venue : Matang Metro City, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Pada team2 drag racing yang bakal hadir menggegar MUSC Drag Race Kuching sila in-box kami dengan gambar-gambar menarik persediaan jentera2 drag anda. Start tuning & standby rolling..

Malaysian dragsters, come and join the fun. Test your machines and make your point as the KING of Malaysia.

Ferrari testing it HALO features

In today's pre season F1 testing session in Barcelona, Ferrari is testing the latest safety feature in F1 called HALO.

Plans for higher-performance F1 cars and increased driver head protection starting from the 2017 season have taken a step forward with the agreement of a new proposal to increase downforce and tyre widths.

The FIA also plans to introduce new cockpit protection for next season. The ‘halo’ concept is described as “currently the preferred option”, though others are under discussion.

Ferrari is the first team to be seen testing this latest feature today.

F1 drivers dissatisfied with changes to qualifying

Few days into the testing season, and the Formula One (F1) drivers are already lamenting abouth the changes to the qualifying format for the new F1 season. Just recently, news regarding the new Formula One qualifying changes has shaken up the media and has sparked mixed opinions from the viewers and drivers.

Bernie Ecclestone and the Federation Internationale de I’Autombile (FIA) have come up with a way to spice up the sport as last year’s atmosphere was completely bland and not at all to Bernie’s liking. Viewers too admitted that the sport has gotten quite boring therefore a change was proposed but not finalised.

The change is scheduled to take place at this year's Spanish Grand Prix in May should everything goes to plan but has it?

Despite the ability of the new format to add a little flare to the competition and increase marketability, the Formula One drivers have urged the FIA to not alter the current format as the changes might be a little too complicated for the viewers.

FIA race director Charlie Whiting met the drivers in the paddock at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona yesterday to open up a discussion regarding the latest implementation but to his notice, most of the drivers are seemingly unhappy with it.

The meeting included Force India’s Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, Haas’ Esteban Gutierrez and Romain Grosjean, Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg, Renault duo Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer, Torro Rosso’s Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr, Williams’ Felipa Massa and McLaren’s Jenson Button.

“We shared our thoughts with Charlie,” Sergio Perez told Sky Sports News. “We’re not very happy with the rules they want to implement. Let’s see if they can change it.”

“For the fans it can be very complicated to understand. It’s complicated for us already, so for the fans it will just make things more and more complicated.”

The lack of communication between the drivers and the upper hands is quite an exasperating issue within the industry and Perez admits that he is grateful for Whiting’s intentions to consult the drivers.

“Charlie has been really good to get us involved in these changes. He wants to definitely hear more of our impression, so that’s definitely good.”

Magnussen too agreed with Perez as ‘going into a season not knowing how the qualifying format worked’ would not be an ideal scenario.