Toyota Rev Party 2006
Kuala Lumpur, March 16, 2006 – Bar Savanh was packed to the rafters, and even as I write this, the party is still going on. Hot disco music, hot girls waving flags, and people, people, and more people everywhere! Even passersby were stopping to take a look at what was going on. Some were actually there to try luck and see if some kind official of UMW Toyota Motor, the host of the Toyota Rev Party, would throw open the doors and let them in.
Not that they would have seen anything, because I couldn’t even get near to take pictures, so what I got, I got from the balcony above the party. It was so packed that even if you fainted from the smell of the sweat, you wouldn’t fall down, because there just isn’t any place for you to drop.
The highlight of the party was of course the arrival of the Panasonic Toyota Racing drivers, Ralf Schumacher, Jarno Trulli, and Ricardo Zonta. In a short interview session with the Toyota fans who were there, Ralf was a little tight-lipped about his chances this weekend, citing that the season has just started, and development will continue as the season progresses. Trulli, in answer to a question posed to him, said that the new car is easier to drive, because the new regulations for the engine capacity (2.4 litre V8) limit the power to a little over 700 horsepower.
The new regulations make F1 a completely new ball game, as all teams are working round the clock practically, to interpret them, and build the fastest car they can. The benefits will go to those teams that can make significant breakthroughs faster than the rest. In a way, this is good for the sport, because everybody starts off with a clean slate, so to speak. In other words, everybody is equal from the start.
Based on Bahrain results, it does appear that Renault and Ferrari have got a grip on the situation, but it is early days yet, and anything can happen in this very fast paced game.
” The Malaysian GP last season was a good one for the team. They improved trememdously in the last season, so I’m sure every one would be keeping a close eye on them. That gives us more reason to pump up the Rev Party this year,” said David Chen, Managing Director of UMW Toyota Motor.
Anyway, good luck to the Panasonic Toyota Racing team drivers, have a great race, and enjoy your stay in our beautiful country. And if they get on the podium, who knows, we might get invited to a celebration party instead.
