|
|
 |
Rodney DeRozario
Car: Hyundai Tucson
Rodney took his wife, mother and two children with him on this his first Auto-Venture. "It has been enjoyable being in a group like this and has also taught us quite a bit about our cars on longer drives like this." While he has made a few trips in the past to places like Terengganu, most of his driving is confined to Singapore. "The overall highlight of the trip has been the camaraderie between the drivers; it has been a very good group. We are now looking at doing the next Auto-Venture in June as it is the school holidays. We actually bought the Tucson three months ago for this kind of long distance journey." His wife Carly, mother, Rita and two sons, Troy and Darian have no complains about the journey. Said Rodney: "We spend so much money on cars in Singapore - it is good to really use them like this."
Car: Hyundai Tucson
Rodney took his wife, mother and two children with him on this his first Auto-Venture. "It has been enjoyable being in a group like this and has also taught us quite a bit about our cars on longer drives like this." While he has made a few trips in the past to places like Terengganu, most of his driving is confined to Singapore. "The overall highlight of the trip has been the camaraderie between the drivers; it has been a very good group. We are now looking at doing the next Auto-Venture in June as it is the school holidays. We actually bought the Tucson three months ago for this kind of long distance journey." His wife Carly, mother, Rita and two sons, Troy and Darian have no complains about the journey. Said Rodney: "We spend so much money on cars in Singapore - it is good to really use them like this."
 |
Robin and Lorraine Chew
Car: Lexus RX300
This is Robin and Lorraine's first Auto-Venture and he has been an AA member for five years. "I have a lot more time on my hands now," smiles the retiree. "I have not been to Malaysia for a long time because of stories I had heard about highway robbers, but this has put my mind at rest. It is very safe and everything has been taken care of by the organisers. It feels nice to be in a group travelling together." This has been his first drive to Penang which he felt was 'a bit warmer' than Singapore. As for Cameron Highlands, it was his first trip in 40 years. They hope to take part in future Auto-Ventures, now that they have tasted his first adventure and would like to try other parts of Malaysia as well as Thailand.
Car: Lexus RX300
This is Robin and Lorraine's first Auto-Venture and he has been an AA member for five years. "I have a lot more time on my hands now," smiles the retiree. "I have not been to Malaysia for a long time because of stories I had heard about highway robbers, but this has put my mind at rest. It is very safe and everything has been taken care of by the organisers. It feels nice to be in a group travelling together." This has been his first drive to Penang which he felt was 'a bit warmer' than Singapore. As for Cameron Highlands, it was his first trip in 40 years. They hope to take part in future Auto-Ventures, now that they have tasted his first adventure and would like to try other parts of Malaysia as well as Thailand.
 |
The Tham brothers (and families)
Cars: Ford Mondeos and Lexus RX300
Brothers Andy Tham (Ford Mondeo), Tham Wai Kong (Lexus RX300) and Tham Wai Wah (Ford Mondeo) joined forces for the Auto-Venture after having a reunion dinner for Chinese New Year. Andy said: "Someone popped out a copy of The Highway magazine and suggested we all do this Auto-Venture together." Added Wai Kong: "We thought it was handy having the admin and technical support that comes along with these AA events and with the added safety we thought it would be good to have a family gathering through this." They felt the distance was not too long and the rest-stops along the way were well planned. Andy said: "The highlight for me was driving up Cameron Highlands and venturing down again the curvy roads." They would like to try another Auto-Venture - perhaps to Thailand.
Cars: Ford Mondeos and Lexus RX300
Brothers Andy Tham (Ford Mondeo), Tham Wai Kong (Lexus RX300) and Tham Wai Wah (Ford Mondeo) joined forces for the Auto-Venture after having a reunion dinner for Chinese New Year. Andy said: "Someone popped out a copy of The Highway magazine and suggested we all do this Auto-Venture together." Added Wai Kong: "We thought it was handy having the admin and technical support that comes along with these AA events and with the added safety we thought it would be good to have a family gathering through this." They felt the distance was not too long and the rest-stops along the way were well planned. Andy said: "The highlight for me was driving up Cameron Highlands and venturing down again the curvy roads." They would like to try another Auto-Venture - perhaps to Thailand.
 |
Team Auto-Venture
One thing you can be sure of on any AA Auto-Venture is that you are in safe and experienced hands with our professional team of guides and mechanics. Not only is the route properly planned for all, the AA sets out 'lead' and 'sweeper' cars so that no one is left behind. Looking after our members on this event (left to right) was Anthony Ang, Manager, Programmes & Activities Department, Sherman He, Executive, Programmes & Activities Department and Christopher Spencer, Senior Executive, Programmes & Activities Department. Judging by the satisfaction aired by participants that The Highway spoke to regarding the trip's well-planned itinerary these guys helped make Singapore to KL, Penang and Cameron Highlands a fun drive to remember!
One thing you can be sure of on any AA Auto-Venture is that you are in safe and experienced hands with our professional team of guides and mechanics. Not only is the route properly planned for all, the AA sets out 'lead' and 'sweeper' cars so that no one is left behind. Looking after our members on this event (left to right) was Anthony Ang, Manager, Programmes & Activities Department, Sherman He, Executive, Programmes & Activities Department and Christopher Spencer, Senior Executive, Programmes & Activities Department. Judging by the satisfaction aired by participants that The Highway spoke to regarding the trip's well-planned itinerary these guys helped make Singapore to KL, Penang and Cameron Highlands a fun drive to remember!
 |
The Car
Negotiating the tight turns on the long climb up Cameron Highlands The Highway team had to glance back to remind ourselves that this is an estate car. It doesn't feel like one.
In fact the Alfa Romeo Sportswagon GTA turns in the same kind of handling prowess as its beautifully sculpted saloon car sibling - the Alfa 156 GTA.
The Sportswagon is surely the best looking estate car on the market? Even with the lengthy tail, which offers great interior storage, the carefully measured cut-lines imbue a pure sports line from nose to tailgate. The five-loop alloy wheels fill in the wheel arches perfectly and despite the extremely low profile tyres offer a good compromise between great road-holding and comfort of the bumpier sections of the Cameron Highlands climb. You sit 'in' the Alfa and realise this is an instinctive driver's car.
True Italian blood lies in the 3.2-litre V6 engine, which growls the twin rear tailpipes like any Italian thorough bred should. More impressive than its 250bhp output, is the Alfa's 300Nm of torque, peaking at 4,800rpm, which allows you to catapult from twisty bend-to-bend with out having to fight the six speed manual gearbox. Just leave it in third, and from just 3000rpm a wave of torque offers smooth, crushing acceleration. It provided instant and safe overtaking in the tight confines of the Cameron Highlands circuit. Any other car would be left trailing in the wake of long queues that tended to build up.
Want a vehicle with immense storage space but the looks and killer performance of a hot saloon? Look no further we say.
Details: EuroAutomobile (Tel: 6566 2200)
Negotiating the tight turns on the long climb up Cameron Highlands The Highway team had to glance back to remind ourselves that this is an estate car. It doesn't feel like one.
In fact the Alfa Romeo Sportswagon GTA turns in the same kind of handling prowess as its beautifully sculpted saloon car sibling - the Alfa 156 GTA.
The Sportswagon is surely the best looking estate car on the market? Even with the lengthy tail, which offers great interior storage, the carefully measured cut-lines imbue a pure sports line from nose to tailgate. The five-loop alloy wheels fill in the wheel arches perfectly and despite the extremely low profile tyres offer a good compromise between great road-holding and comfort of the bumpier sections of the Cameron Highlands climb. You sit 'in' the Alfa and realise this is an instinctive driver's car.
True Italian blood lies in the 3.2-litre V6 engine, which growls the twin rear tailpipes like any Italian thorough bred should. More impressive than its 250bhp output, is the Alfa's 300Nm of torque, peaking at 4,800rpm, which allows you to catapult from twisty bend-to-bend with out having to fight the six speed manual gearbox. Just leave it in third, and from just 3000rpm a wave of torque offers smooth, crushing acceleration. It provided instant and safe overtaking in the tight confines of the Cameron Highlands circuit. Any other car would be left trailing in the wake of long queues that tended to build up.
Want a vehicle with immense storage space but the looks and killer performance of a hot saloon? Look no further we say.
Details: EuroAutomobile (Tel: 6566 2200)
Courtesy of Automobile Association of Singapore