The 2nd edition of the
ASEAN-India Car Rally (AICR) was held from 25 Nov to 21 Dec 2012. Starting from
Yogjakarta (Indonesia), the Rally passed through Singapore, Ipoh, Hat Yai,
Phuket, Bangkok, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh, Pakse, Savanakhet,
Vientiene, Chumphone, Sukhothai, Hpa An, Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, Ka Lay, Kohima
and Guwahati (India). India Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Heads of
State of all ASEAN nations witnessed the ceremonial flag-down at the Rally’s
final stop in New Delhi.
The participant kits were handed out during signing-in at the Rally Secretariat.
All participating teams attended a Briefing
held at Royal Ambarrukmo Hotel.
Yogyakarta to Solo, 26th Nov 2012
Solely for the Indonesia leg, the rally cars (Kijang
MPV) were provided by Toyota. The rally
officials lined the cars outside the hotel and were ready to hand out the keys by
0700 hours.
The Singapore team comprising of SMSA President Tan Teng Lip, Leslie Chang, William Lyou, Dr Tan Poh Heng, Lee Huey, Bernard Goh, Irene Tan and Ernest Chua(not in the picture)was raring to go.
The Governor of Yogyakarta was among the dignitaries who flagged off the event.
At Manohara lunch halt, Teng Lip represented Singapore at Tree Planting Ceremony.
This was followed by a visit to the Borobudur Temple - a UNESCO heritage site.
We arrived Solo after sunset and a dinner cum prize presentation was held at the municipal hall.
For displaying good road behaviour and fine teamwork, the Singapore team was awarded the Best Touring Team.
Thereafter, we checked into Ibis Hotel and, at the same time, surrendered the Kijangs to the Organisers. This concluded the Indonesia leg of the Rally.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader MP Tarun Vijay (left), who is also the Indian rally team leader, is seen here with his wife and Mr Laurence Bay, MFA’s Acting Director-General of SAA Directorate.
After the dinner, the organising officials (from Confederation of Indian Industry and AutoCar) wasted no time in getting down for a final discussion.
Seen here with Leslie and Poh Heng, the Minister wished the team a safe journey.
The following is a daily account of Leslie
Chang who is the leader of the Singapore team.
Photos: Ernest Chua / TODAY
Singapore to Yogyakarta, 25th Nov 2012
The participant kits were handed out during signing-in at the Rally Secretariat.
Meanwhile, rally officials were applying
event stickers outside the hotel.
The night view of Prambanan temple (venue for
the welcome dinner) was the highlight of the evening.
Yogyakarta to Solo, 26th Nov 2012
The Singapore team comprising of SMSA President Tan Teng Lip, Leslie Chang, William Lyou, Dr Tan Poh Heng, Lee Huey, Bernard Goh, Irene Tan and Ernest Chua(not in the picture)was raring to go.
The Governor of Yogyakarta was among the dignitaries who flagged off the event.
At Manohara lunch halt, Teng Lip represented Singapore at Tree Planting Ceremony.
This was followed by a visit to the Borobudur Temple - a UNESCO heritage site.
For displaying good road behaviour and fine teamwork, the Singapore team was awarded the Best Touring Team.
Thereafter, we checked into Ibis Hotel and, at the same time, surrendered the Kijangs to the Organisers. This concluded the Indonesia leg of the Rally.
Solo
to Singapore, 27th Nov 2012
All participants were transferred from Indonesia to
Singapore where they were checked into Hotel Pan Pacific. A Technical Briefing and a welcome dinner
hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore (MFA) were held at the
same hotel.Bharatiya Janata Party leader MP Tarun Vijay (left), who is also the Indian rally team leader, is seen here with his wife and Mr Laurence Bay, MFA’s Acting Director-General of SAA Directorate.
After the dinner, the organising officials (from Confederation of Indian Industry and AutoCar) wasted no time in getting down for a final discussion.
Singapore
to Ipoh, 28th Nov 2012
This cheerful Singapore team is made up of people from all walks of life. They are members of the
Singapore Motor Sports Association (SMSA).
Dr Lim shared a light moment with SMSA Deputy President
Harold Netto (left) and Leslie prior to the flag-off.
Standing on the starting grid of the race track , Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr K Shanmugam presided over the grand ceremony.
The convoy was escorted from the F1 Pit Building to
the check point at Tuas.
Shortly after crossing the 2nd Link, we ran into the
first wave of welcoming party for the convoy at the Gelang Patah Rest Area.
Souvenirs from STB were well received by any well-wisher.
We were greeted by Malaysia's
Deputy Youth & Sports Minister Senator Gan Ping Sieu upon our arrival at
Putrajaya. (Incidentally, Senator Gan was also the GOH at KL Tower when Malaysia was the 'Theme Country' during CAITA 2011)
Dinner was hosted by the local authories at Ipoh Youth and Sports Complex. Thereafter, the cars
were refuelled (kind courtesy of Petronas), followed by night halt at Impiana Hotel.
