Today I managed to get the final chassis bar that Ultra Racing provides for the Renault Clio RS197, the 4-point Rear Strut Bar (Product Code#UR-RE4-1321).
Initially when I approached Ultra Racing to make the rear tower bar for my car, I intended for them to follow what was being done in the UK which was the 2-point tower bar that is mounted on the suspension towers. However, they decided that this was not really good and after a while I would experience knocking sounds from mounting it on the suspension tower, based on their company’s previous experience. They advised me too that by doing so, and in conjunction with the rear anti roll bar that I have installed, it would burden the suspension too much. So it was decided that the rear strut bar should mount to the chassis rather than the suspension.
Upon installation, the 4-point rear strut bar does not occupy much of the boot space unlike the 2-point rear strut bar as commonly found in the UK, allowing for tall objects to still fit within the boot. Unfortunately, unlike the 2-point bar, the boot carpets will no longer fit and need slight tailoring.
First impressions of driving it with the current setup? I feel that the rear has really become much more stable, however now the front seems a bit lax… I might need to try adjusting the tyre pressures to see whether this is the issue as I’m currently running 31psi-front 33psi-back, the same which got me my current fastest time in Sepang.
Esso, Taman Wahyu, 7:00 AM The Renault Sports Owners gathered for a Sunday morning drive up to Gohtong Jaya. Reza, M.D. of TC Euro (Renault Malaysia), was also in attendance today driving the black Renault Sport Megane R26.R and we were also joined by friends in a BMW E39 M5 and a Mini John Cooper Works (driven by Khalid with a claimed 211bhp!); both rare makes in Malaysia!
The drive up to Gohtong Jaya via the old Ulu Yam road was as expected fast! Leading the way was Iwan in his White Renault Sport Megane RS250 Cup, which since the last track day has been suffering with minor issues that disallowed him to partake in the TCC Track day. Nevertheless, we were all happy that the issues were indeed minor and his car is now running as good as ever today.
Unfortunately, on the way up the back pack were separated by some very slow commuters and we only managed to meet up with the leading pack at the bottom of the 2nd half of the Ulu Yam road, which consisted of twisty turns just before Gohtong Jaya.
We also met a long time owner of this Liquid Yellow R26. He was quite fast but I was able to keep up in my Clio RS197.
Surprisingly Azmi (TC Euro) turned up in his long time and dependable ride (he just sold his scoobie actually) the Renault Laguna. He managed to keep up with the pack uphill though but upon arriving his ride needed a long rest and drink. Well done for an old car!
After a short burst up the 2nd half of the Ulu Yam road, all cars reached the cable car house and we stopped for a bit of a breather before proceeding to the mamak shop in Gohtong Jaya. Famous here and still taste as good as last time, the roti tampal.
It was an interesting drive for me, as it has been about a month since I have revved my Clio hard. At around 10:30 AM, after much merry discussion on cars and what not, we departed the venue and onto the Genting downhill. However due to worn tyres I took it easy on the way down… unlike my fellow drivers who disappeared on me on the Karak Highway… Jin Han (TC Euro) in his E30 too did not give me quarter as he blasted away on the Genting downhill.
Recently I participated in SAS Analytics Day 2011, a SAS company organized event (the company which I currently work for), co-hosted with Sunway University and held at Sunway Hotel & Spa. An event which saw guests from organizations around Malaysia who have key interest in business intelligence and analytics congregate to understand how analytics will change their business and give them a competitive edge in their market.
Specially invited guests for the day were from Malaysia’s Department of Statistics representative, En. Abdul Talib and speakers from customer organizations who have been actively applying analytics in various industries such as Celcom (Telecomunications), MBSB (Financial Services), and UiTM (Academic).
Of course, my fellow colleagues also participated in the event in numbers…
SAS had also invited key figures in its organization to share with guest on the current analytics landscape from its Asia Pacific arm, who knows the local business and market issues, such as Mr. Franklin (SAS Regional Analytics Manager) and Mr. Greg (SAS Regional Product Marketing Manager). Both speakers shared with the audience on how analytics is currently being applied in some of SAS customer companies in Asia Pacific, and how these companies have managed to leverage on their competitive advantage. The upcoming trends in business intelligence and analytics and how business operations were changing was also projected to the audience.
End of the day, the event was a success and SAS even managed to publicize their Social Media tweeter and facebook for those interested to follow.
