While most people quench their need for speed on their video game console, five lucky consumers received an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drive real live fast cars at the world-renowned Sepang Formula 1 International Circuit! Now in its 9th year running, the MICHELIN Pilot Sport Experience 2014 hosted more than 500 Michelin customers, journalists and social media commentators from 16 countries throughout the Asia Pacific to experience the excitement and adrenaline rush of life in the fast lane through an exceptional high performance driving experience. For the first time this year, the event included the participation from the winners of Michelin’s The Right 2 Race online game, an online racing game where players were tested on their skills of choosing the ideal racing lines and the perfect braking points around the digital version of the actual Sepang International Circuit. With over 3,647 entrants from six Asian countries, five racing aficionados from Malaysia were among the 25 winners who qualified by virtue of by setting the best and fastest lap times recorded in the online racing game.
“MPSE is our platform to share with racing and motoring enthusiasts our passion for motorsports and vision in delivering winning achievements through a thrilling day of fun filled activities. It is also our way of expressing our appreciation for their support throughout the years,“ said Beltran Yturriaga, Managing Director of Michelin Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
All of the activities were undertaken under the watchful eye of professional instructors and race car drivers with years of experience in safe and competitive driving. The 25 Right to Race winners competed for the title of MICHELIN Pilot Sport Experience Champion at the event. The Champion was selected on his consistence performances during each of the activities, based on his driving skills, his concerns for safety, and his abilities to follow the direction and guidance of the instructors. The Champion for this year is Mr.Francis Ivan Isada from the Philippines, and 2nd place goes to Mr. Mitchell Lukasz from Australia, and 3rd place was Mr. Willy Vaniliy Teo from Malaysia. Participants’ unique experience included high octane and G-force spine tingling drives in high performance race cars comprising the Renault Clio Cup, Lamborghini Super Trofeo, the legendary Formula Le Mans and the world’s most exciting single-seater Formula 4 racer, which was brought to the MPSE for the first time. Before the participants could drive the newly-introduced single-seater Formula 4 race car and the other cars around the Circuit, they were tutored on driving techniques and safety by MICHELIN’s professional racing instructors. They also had the opportunity to evaluate their speed and precision in a simulated tyre changing pit challenge
“I was fortunate to have drawn what I consider the ultimate drive of the day. It was in the Formula 4 car. I’ve done lots of karting at the Sepang Circuit but never a real single-seater race car in my life. Thank you Michelin for help to realise my aspiration of driving my dream car!” exclaimed 33-year-old Wee Jin Juet from Kuala Lumpur. Besides the exhilarating drive in the Formula 4, a taxi ride in a Lamborghini Super Trofeo racing car was also an unforgettable experience for Willy Teo, a 30-year-old project manager from Kelantan. “I was totally impressed by the monstrous power and glorious speed of the Lamborghini. This high-octane driving experience is a must for all ardent racing enthusiasts!”
“I really appreciate Michelin’s effort for quenching our thirst for speed It was also very considerate and generous of Michelin to host all participants at a five star hotel. We enjoyed ourselves very much and I am truly thankful for this memorable and wonderful experience,” said 32-year-old Yeong Shoa Yei from Penang. Also unveiled at the MICHELIN Pilot Sport Experience was the new MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyre, the latest generation of road legal track tyres designed for ultra-high performance cars. The performance levels that this tyre offers is clearly demonstrated by its accreditation as the sole original equipment fitment on recently introduced marques such as the Ferrari 458 Speciale, the Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series and the Porsche 918 Spyder. Yturriaga said that the MICHELIN Pilot Sport Experience reflected Michelin’s commitment to delivering safety, optimum and outstanding performance through MICHELIN tyres to motorsport racers and consumers, globally and in particular Asia. “The tyres that Michelin develops leverage sustainable combined performance characteristics illustrated by our philosophy “MICHELIN Total Performance” which reconciles qualities that some believe to be conflicting by virtue of technology, a principle that is at the heart of the company’s Research and Development strategy.
“These exceptional performance levels are translated to Michelin successes and wins in many world class races such as the World Endurance Championship including the Le Mans 24 hours, the World Rally Championship and the Dakar Rally,” he added. MICHELIN Pilot Sport Experience was first introduced in Asia at the Sepang International Formula 1 Circuit in 2006 to showcase and reinforce Michelin’s portfolio of tyres for premium driving experience.
So sedih. Can never experience Michelin.