Defensive Driving - On the Public Roads

Like society in reality, the public roads bear as much of a resemblance in terms of complexity and harshness. Think back to the days where you first entered the working society.... You may recall the steep learning curve that yourself have undergone to adapt yourself to the harsh and complex environment. To a driver fresh out of driving school, the same steep learning curve applies. No longer under the sheltered environment of the driving school, the new driver would have to come to terms with the many new road scenarios ranging from the constantly changing road conditions to errant drivers who refuse to give way and engage in bullying and intimidation acts! All these new scenarios add on a new learning dimension to the fresh driver, and forces him/her to adapt to the constant alterations. Learn it fast, learn it right and one becomes a street-wise driver who's able to respond calmly to any situations he/she encountered on the roads. Slow learners, in my opinion, often pay a hefty 'tuition fee' in the form of fines or compensation payment for accidents!

Driving on the public road certainly requires a fair bit of street-smart and logical thinking. The different genres of drivers present on the road give rise to a variety of interactions between drivers. Defensive driving would require one to practice constraints and remain calm in the event of provocative acts on the road. This may be the result of inconsiderate drivers who failed to signal when changing directions, drive recklessly, tailgating and all other forms of actions which would irritate the hell out of the average road users. At the same time, a defensive driver also anticipate well in advance and take precautionary measures against provocative acts by other road users. An example of this would be maintaining a safe car distance to allow space for inconsiderate drivers to suddenly cut in without signalling. Overall my road experience tells me that a defensive driver is usually one who keeps himself/herself out of trouble and pay the least 'learning fees' on the road.

That being said, it is understandable that when emotions override logical thoughts, we would engage in certain thrill-seeking action on the public road, just for the sake of an instantaneous excitement! Do however to remind ourselves that we should be mindful of the road conditions if ever we want to partake in such an act.

In this holiday season, let's urge all to drive defensively and safe our pockets for spending on X'mas gifts for our loved ones instead of letting the cash flow out as 'learning fee' for the road. Not worth it really!

The Memorable First Car (Part One)

Getting the keys to your very first car, especially after obtaining your driving license, is a very exciting and unforgettable experience for many I believe. Thoughts be running through your mind at that particular moment: for the average motorists, the keys to the car signify one's new-found freedom; for the motoring and motorsports enthusiasts, you will probably be thinking of two things in mind, speed and modification. No longer having to contend with the long wait for the crowded bus or waiting by the roadside for the cab only to see it being taken by the inconsiderate passenger in front of you, your first car has probably taken you to places you have always wanted to visit but has never done so due to the hassle and inconvenience of the public transport.

I have first taken ownership of my first car back in 2006, a humble blue Toyota Vios whose jobscope was to ferry family members and friends from Point A to B. Being the motoring nuts I was, I wasn't contend to having this car fulfil its factory-default jobscope. This was definitely the first forray in the world of car modification. Being the so-called noob with plenty of enthusiasm and none of the knowledge, I was led on by the colorful advertisements found on car magazines on products that would increase torque, horsepower and lower fuel consumption. How naive I was to have even co-relate increment in power and drop in fuel efficiency! Well 4 years down the road I am still seeing first-time car owners being led on by this grayish co-relation.

The first modification to made to my humble car is that of the Simota Air Charger which replaces the original stock airbox and promises increase in engine response. I was most certainly looking forward to hearing my car sounds different, those kind of vroom vroom sound from the sports car (thinking back now I do feel darn stupid). The product certainly does not change the way the car sounded, and increment in performance was slight but what I was looking for. The only consolation was that the product added a tinge of outlook sophiscation with its carbon-fibre body!

Not contended with this noiseless upgrade, I searched the internet and forum in search of a sound producing device. My search led to me the Simota Aerofoam upgrade, an intake system that promises improvement to the car's high-end power and aural orchestry. Upon the initial installation, the 'helicopter' intake sound does add a more resounding dimension to the car. However over the next few months I just could not bear the extensive loss of the car's low-end and decided to look into my next project for the car! After two unsatisfactory 'upgrades', I have decided - it may be better for me to look towards the Land of the Rising Sun, the birth place of famous car tuners brand such as Blitz, HKS, Greddy and Apexi. From the infamous mushroom design from HKS to the polished steel intake of the Blitz Suspower, I have tried it all. My preference, judging from the physical outlook of each, I am definitely in favor of the HKS Super Power Flow mushroom intake!

Test Driving the Subaru STI A Line

During the recent Mettle Games, we have witnessed a fine display of driving skills from world renowned and Subaru official stunt driver Russ Swift. From parking to car-balancing maneuvers on 2-wheels, the man has done it all here in Singapore! I was one of the lucky few to have this opportunity to sit inside the Subaru WRX he was piloting and he took me on a stunt driving tour which include some pretty wild handbrake turns, reverse flicks and finally ending off with a tyre-smoking donut which left me feeling giddy as I gingerly stepped out of the car. I'm totally impressed!

One week later, Subaru is calling out to female drivers in Singapore to step forward for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the next local female Russ Swift. On this fine Saturday morning, Subaru together with Torque, held an early breakfast meet at the open-air car park of the F1 Pit Building. Besides the stunt competition held for the selected 6 female drivers, Subaru too held test drives for their range of vehicles, including a Subaru 2.0R, a Forester 2.5XT and the top-of-the-line auto-tranny in the form of the Subaru WRX STI A-Line.

Driving this car on the public road down Esplanade bridge is really an exhilirating experience, especially when one normally will not be legible to test drive this car at the showroom unless you met certain rigid criteria pertaining to your years of driving experiences and your NCD! Imagine 300 horses at your disposal in a car, and a stretch of road which is pretty clear of traffic, what wil you do? Well for me it's pedal to the carmat! While this is definitely not the fastest car I have ever driven, this would possibly be one of the most refined, and that's coming from Subaru, which in the past people would normally associate it to loud and 'Ah-Beng-ish'. Refinement is definitely not in the dictionary! Not the A-Line. The turbo starts working from a low 2800rpm onwards, and no hint of turbo lag. As compared to its predecessors, the power delivery of the A-Line is linear and does not have the throw-back-into-your-seat feeling. A fast car nonetheless as acceleration to 100km/h takes about 6.1 secs as advised by the Subaru personnel! The suspension system is set for a sporty drive, and proves really comfortable to even the rear passengers! Well this means that the car is well-suited to even long-haul trips up north with your family in tow. I in particular am impressed with the really comfortable semi-bucket seat coming with the car. It is both comfy and at the same time, fitting enough to hold the driver in place in the scenario where the driver decides to go into 'Sport Mode'.

I totally enjoyed the drive, and wish I could have the budget in my bank on that day itself to just dump down on the car! On the whole the car is a joy to drive in, and gives a sporty engagement without the inconvenience of a stickshift. Good job Subaru to a wonderful piece of technology in the WRX STI A-Line!