Friday, October 30, 2009

A new CEO for Lotus F1 a new Motorsport boss for Group Lotus

The last few days have seen group Lotus hire a new Motorsport boss...Claudio Berra...
Additionally, Riad Asmat a former Proton employee has been appointed by Tony Fernandes to his F1 team... as CEO no less!
I do not know Claudio. I assume the new CEO Dany Bahar has worked with him before, and feels comfortable with him in his inner circle.
I am sure he is well qualified and I wish him well.
When Riad Asmat was in the employee of Proton I sent him my proposal and included him on my mailing list.
I don't have his new email!!!
I have copied a portion of the Malaysian Insider report:
Among the familiar faces at today’s press conference were former F1 driver Alex Yoong and Team Malaysia A1 man Owen Leeds who was often seen conversing with Riad.
Alex yoong attended the Sepang announcement. Alex is well aware of my proposal, and as I have previously stated was kind enough to spend a couple of days supporting (and raising my profile) during the ASLI automotive conference in KL.
Tengku Djan, head of Proton Motorsport has never publicly supported me or the proposal. He is however aware of the MUM project, and must have worked closely with Riad during their time together at Proton, and with the A1 Malaysian team.
I hope MUM gets discussed by both Team Lotus and Proton/Group Lotus.
At the end of the day, MUM has the potential to leave a long lasting legacy for the local region, and of equal importance globally!
In my opinion, both Proton and Lotus would benefit immensely from its existence.
For those of you who haven't seen the MUM proposal I have embedded a slideshare below: Google Motorsort University Malaysia

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

ASLI

ASLI the Asian Strategic Leadership Institute, has invited me and my team to their upcoming UNITY conference.
Malaysia for those that don't know is a mixture of races predominently Malays (Bumiputras) Chinese and Indian.
Political parties have racial (and religious) component parts.
I'm sure that when MUM becomes a reality, it's Malaysian campus would have to accomodate all Malaysians.
My plan to reach 1 million students, effectively means that MUM would ultimately be open for everyone globally.
A 1Malaysia strategy is presently being promoted within the country.
I am presently in the UK. I may or may not attend.
The new Formula One team comes under 1MalaysiaF1 so the concept has entered motorsport!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

I would be a definite plus for the new Proton/Naza/Hicom alliance

I now see that DRB Hicom are also bidding for a part of Proton. Should the new management entity that forms from all of this change wish to seriously consider MUM as a partner, I would be happy to participate.
Creative and entrepreneurial are words often banded about.
Look at my plan.
I qualify. I am interested.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Proton up for sale?

The Star in Malaysia has a story quoting Proton Chairman Dato Nadzmi as saying Proton is potentially up for sale.
I have spent several years plying my MUM project to several Lotus and Proton people...
All change!
Naza who are 35% owners of Lotus F1 team are potential buyers.At least they would benefit from the Race on Sunday sell on Monday phenomonem.

I found a BBC report on last weeks Royal Visit.
Enjoy...

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Video of Malaysian royalty visit to Lotus UK

I found this on YOUTUBE.
It is an Anglia news peice. You have to view two minutes of sports news before the 'Visit' starts.
Enjoy!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Bob Iliffe died on Sunday 4th October 2009

This has nothing to do with the project (MUM).

Linda, Bob Ilffe's wife phoned me yesterday (Tuesday) and informed me he had died peacefully in his bed on Sunday.

Sadly, when I last spoke to Bob it was not pleasant.

Certain people with little regard for the truth, spread rather vicious rumours regarding a relationship I supposedly entered into with another persons wife.

This I hasten to add is completely untrue.

The woman in question is dead also, and cannot protect her good name.

Bob was not impressed... I might add that this (malicious gossip)was first brought to my attention by the former Group Lotus CEO. Someone has been busy...

Bob will be missed by his family and friends.

I considered Bob to be my friend.

He never suffered at the end. He died in his family home.
My condolences to Linda and his family.

Bob Illife worked at Ford Motor Co with me. Later we both worked in a now bankrupt design house called Hawtal Whiting.
Bob ran their Warwick office for them.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Tilo and Sofie with Me... Thanks for all the help!!

 
Posted by Picasa
The autumn weather has arrived! Tilo, my graphic and editing buddy arrived back in KL today. Here he is (Harry Potter look alike) with me and Sofie last year. Both Tilo and Sofie have been very helpful and supportive during the last couple of years. I certainly wouldn't be so far advanced with this proposal without them.
I see the King of Malaysia arrived in England this weekend along with Hj Tajul (Proton Engineering Director).
I met Hj Tajul at the ASLI automotive conference recently. When I worked in Shah Alam for Lotus, he sat a few feet away from me.
Hj Tajul is very much a gentleman.
Lotus have updated the Campro, a joint Proton/Lotus designed engine to accept a turbo...

I've embedded a video shot in the Lotus UK headquarters. It is in the Malaysian language.

Proton managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, group managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir and newly-appointed Lotus chief executive officer Dany Taner Bahar, who replaced Michael J. Kimberley when he retired in July.
Possibly discussing the MUM project last weekend!



Friday, October 2, 2009

I wrote to one CEO and one General Manager yesterday

I wrote two letters yesterday. One to a member of group Lotus, which historically will not be answered.
The second to a CEO of much note in Malaysia and globally said he will get back to me.
So things are bubbling along.
I sincerely hope that Dany Bahar, the new Lotus CEO reviews the MUM proposal with new eyes...
In my opinion Group Lotus have lost the initiative on this due to 'Personal' opinions, sometimes quite deluded in their origin.

I had a telephone conversation with a recently departed executive which was interesting to say the least.

I do think Lotus has suffered as a result of some people being self centred.

Hopefully, Dany has the ability to think for himself.

Yesterday, I posted that over 600,000 Job applications had been received for Lotus F1 positions...
This was taken from a comment on an auto blog...
Bernama have an article that quotes a figure of 6,000
I would have to say that figure is probably more realistic. Sorry, if I misled anyone!
A portion of the Bernama report is shown below:
September 28, 2009 18:08 PM

1Malaysia Formula One Job Mania Sweeps Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- The excitement over the 1Malayia F1 Team (1MF1T) is sweeping Malaysians going by the overwhelming response to the opportunities to work with the team that will make its debut next year.

In a matter of a few hours, more than 6,000 applications flooded the team's e-mail this morning seeking to be a part of the team when 225 job vacancies were advertised, said the team principal, Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes.

"The support is tremendous and the team's e-mail seems flooded by the locals who offered their respective expertise for the 1MF1T," he told reporters here Monday.

I have embedded my slideshare it is now a couple of years old. It illustrates the journey! I have updated the student figures on my latest webpage. http://motorsportuniversitymalaysia.com

Thursday, October 1, 2009

1malaysiaF1 gets 600,000 applicants for jobs in one day! Incorrect

Please disregard the 600,000 figure quoted it was taken from a 'comment'. Bernama have written an article quoting 6,000

Please read my next entry for more details!

I noticed a comment in the Paul Tan site today.
-Want a job with the lotus F1 team?-
Apparently, a day after the Star newspaper (Malaysia) advertised jobs for the new F1 team they got 600,000 applications.
For all the negative publicity surrounding this project, a lot of people obviously want to participate in it!

Paul put a list of jobs available:

•Aerodynamics – Project Leader Aerodynamics, Junior Aerodynamicist, Head of CFD, CFD Engineer.
•Composites Design – Head of Composite Design, Senior / Junior Composite Designer, Composite Engineer.
•Composite – Head of Composite Layup Shop, Senior / Junior Layup Technician, Head of Composite Trim Shop, Senior / Junior Trim Shop Technician
•Electronics – Head of Electronics, Senior / Junior Electronics Engineer, Senior Control Engineer, Control Software Engineer
•Factory – Factory Manager, Senior / Junior Maintenance
•Gearbox Design – Head of Gearbox Design, Senior / Junior Gearbox Design
•Gearbox Assembly – Head of Gearbox Shop, Race Gearbox Technician
•Hydraulics – Head of Hydraulics Shop, Race Hydraulics Technician, Test Hydraulics Technician
•Mechanical Production – Head of Mechanical Production, Senior / Junior Machinist, Fabricator
•Mechanical Design – Head of Mechanical Design, Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Senior Mechanical Designer
•Pattern Shop – Head of Pattern Shop, Senior / Junior Pattern Maker
•Production, Production Control and Purchasing – Head of Production, Senior Production Engineer, Mechanical Buyer, Composite Buyer, General Buyer, Aerodynamics Buyer
•Quality Control & Inspection – Head of Inspection, Senior / Junior Inspection Technician
•Design Office – Drawing Office Manager
•R&D – Head of R&D, Senior R&D Engineer, Senior R&D Technician
•Race Engineering – Test Engineer, Race Data Engineer, Test Data Engineer, Aero Support Engineer
•Race & Test – Logistic Manager, Race & Test Travel Secretary, Clothing & Team Gear
•Race Team – Race Chief Mechanic, Race Parts Mechanic
•Stress Analysis – Senior / Junior FEA Engineer
•Sub Assembly – Head of Sub Assembly, Sub Assembly Technician
•Test Team – Test Chief Mechanic, Test Part Mechanic, Test Team Truckie, Test Team Mechanic
•Vehicle Science – Head of Vehicle Dynamics, Vehicle Dynamics Engineer, Senior / Junior Software Engineer
•Marketing & PR – Head of Marketing, Marketing Manager, Tri-lingual Website Designers, Graphic Designers, Executive Assistant, Business Development Manager, Sponsorship Manager, Sponsor Account Manager, Head of PR / Tri-Lingual PR Officer, Press Officer, Hospitality Coordinator
•Finance – Financial Controller, Finance Manager, Finance Executive
•Legal – Head of Legal, Legal Manager, Legal Executive
•HR – Head of HR, HR Manager, HR Executive
•IT – Head of Information Technology, CAD Manager, Senior IT Engineer, Race IT Engineer, Test IT Engineer, IT Technician

Enough said!