F1inschools final to be in Singapore. 16 year old tests for Lotus. My wish List. Funding needed.

I see F1inschools will be having their finals in Singapore this year.
I met the founder in Malaysia with his 'Local' team a few years ago. They were local business owners.
Andrew Denford is a charismatic guy. He now has a major sponsor in LG. Andrew himself, owns a company that sell CNC machines,
Here is a small quote from blogs.bettor.com
Participants compete for the prestigious Bernie Ecclestone World Champions trophy along with a chance to get a scholarship at City University, London for a chance to study Automotive and Motorsport Engineering.
Andrew invited me to one of these finals in Australia. I didn't go. He was kind enough to send me plenty of pictures with him and Bernie!
F1inschools have Lotus racing among their associates.
Today, I received a press release from Tom Webb, that a 16 year old actually tested for Lotus!

Duxford, UK 1st September 2010
The Imperial War Museum runway at Duxford played host to the youngest ever test driver in Formula One™ history today, with 16 year old Nabil Jeffri seeing his F1™ dream come true as he conducted a day of aero testing for Lotus Racing on the museum’s Cambridgeshire runway. Fairuz Fauzy and Heikki Kovalainen were both on hand to lend their advice to the young Malaysian and Nabil, a key member of the AirAsia ASEAN Driver Development programme, completed the day’s testing, and gave the team valuable pitstop practice throughout a busy day on track for the Anglo – Malaysian squad.

Group Lotus have produced a pretend F1 car. It costs approx one million USA dollars.
How about letting MUM have a couple of these?


Motorsport University Malaysia could do with a couple of these!
 
I certainly wouldn't mind getting one in CKD form, and allow the students, under supervision to assemble/drive one.
If I'm making a wish list the Foggy Petronas bikes sitting in Basildon would be nice too.
Check out my previous post.

 
I have made it known that I am looking for funding for this project. I am available to head it up.
Feel free to contact me on the address below:

john.mansfield@motorsportuniversitymalaysia.com

Proton to issue 20% of Lotus to new Dany Bahar Management team. Does Tengku Djan have a plan?

I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend.
Today I read that Proton is contemplating (giving) issuing 20% of Lotus to Dany Bahar and his team. This is by way of an incentive to turn Group Lotus into a profit making entity.
The sentence below is taken from a BorneoPost article.

Proton was also contemplating to issue new shares amounting to 20 per cent of Lotus to its new management as a motivating tool to help in making the turnaround plan a reality.

Previously, I have made an entry where this was a 40% share to Dany Bahar.

I have to assume ownership must have been on the table when Dany Bahar was brought onboard.
What has this got to do with Motorsport University Malaysia?

Well, other than Dany has shown absolutely no interest. Nothing I suppose!

Proton have their own Motorsport Division, headed by Tengku Djan. Whilst I have been able to talk to several Lotus CEO's, Tengku Djan has been very non communicative.

Djan is also a successful Drifter. He has taken part in Red Bull sponsored events, and has helped produce the Proton Satria Lotus machine. So there is a connection between him and Dany. Dany was marketing chief for Red Bull before joining Ferrari and now Lotus.

Ultimately they have the same management team above them.
pic borrowed from geartinggi.com


I have sent my proposal to Proton Management. I obviously presented an early iteration to Group Lotus management when I was there. It was not well received at that time. However, the management that poop pooped the idea have all since left Lotus.

Djan worked about 3 metres from me during this period. He was very quiet. He still is.

Djan has been aware of this proposal for a long period. He is head of Motorsport within Proton.

Does he have a plan?

Here is MUM on Slideshare.

Motorsport University Malaysia

View more documents from johnsean.

Proton to setup strategic units. Tengku Djan to head strategic Motorsport division?

Proton, upset at their inability to ink a deal with Volkswagen, are to set up strategic units. The object is to allow Proton to work with other entities whilst not compromising itself as the official carmaker of Malaysia.
It has no trouble inking deals with local government run Universities. UTM recently signed a professorship deal with them. I'm not sure what that entails. However, both entities come under the Malaysian government.
Pic borrowed from Paul Tan

Proton has two production facilities. Shah Alam is supposed to be sold.
Why not reinvest the money into buying the circuit in Johor? Set up your Motorsport division there.
Obviously, between Proton R3 and it's links with Lotus racing and group Lotus you have a good base. Throw in local companies Malaysian and Singaporean, plus any other interested parties, and you have a wonderful environment for Motorsport University Malaysia... a private University able to work with all entities on legal/ethical educational projects.
Tengku Djan is head of Motorsport. He should make his voice heard in the boardroom.
Show them my proposal. Use that as a starting point for discussion.

Motorsport University Malaysia

View more documents from johnsean.

Dany Bahar, should also look at this personally. The formation of these business units gives him a wonderful opportunity to form an alliance with Djan on this.
Lotus should look at the global impact of this proposal. As should Proton.
I am available should you require my services:
john.mansfield@motorsportuniversitymalaysia.com

British students consider studying abroad. Newcastle Uni Promo video.

Once again I would like to remind you that I am available for hire:
johnmansfield@motorsportunivesitymalaysia.com

This week, in the UK much has been made of the public spending cuts. Many students are unable to get places at UK Universities.
The BBC showed a clip of the Petronas Towers and a representative of Newcastle University asking people to consider studying in Malaysia.
Newcastle have opened a campus in Johor.
Here is a promo video for Newcastle University:


My sister went to Newcastle University many years ago. I attended her graduation. In a week or two my niece (Kate), will be studying Law there.
I wish her all the best!
I have met lawyers through my volunteering with the local Citizens Advice Bureau in Basildon. Without good contacts within the law community it is difficult to get started on a good career.
Luckily, Kate is a lot smarter than her uncle. I'm sure she will get excellent grades, and do very well for herself.
The last time I visisted my old College (Chelmsford) it was to get paperwork for the American immigration authorities. Most of the teachers had left. Chelmsford is now a University. I have to be truthful and say I did not enjoy studying there!
Life is always throwing up odd situations. Here I am promoting an educational project. It is my dream project, and I am sure it will come to fruition. However, I myself am not an academic.
Such is life.

Volkswagen partner DRB-Hicom

Westfield recently inked a deal with DRB-Hicom to produce it's sportcars in Malaysia.
Westfield are available as kits

DRB-Hicom recently opened a new Automotive college: Please refer to my earlier post
Now DRB-Hicom and Volkswagen are going to produce CKD vehicles together!
Proton held this deal up. DRB-Hicom were asked to make way, by the Malaysian government for Proton.
VW and Proton never managed to ink a deal.
My only experience with VW management was 20+ years ago in Spain. They had bought the Spanish national car company and had set up shop in it's Martorell tech centre. I am sure they will have quality control people and management in place shortly.
What will happen to Proton? They are looking to find synergies with the other Malaysian based manufacturer Perodua.
Both have Malaysian government influence.
Dr. Mahathir started Proton and is still influencial. He is officially Proton and Petronas advisor. He gave Tony Fernandes his blessing to start Air Asia. Please check my previous entry.
Tony is now principle of LotusF1 Racing. Dr Mahathirs son is also involved with Motorsport and is chairman of SepangF1 circuit, where Lotus racing are based.
It is my plan to set up in Johor circuit. Lotus have always been my partners of choice. Johor circuit is being 'reactivated'. Please check my previous entry
DRB-Hicom certainly have the potential to participate.
Should Proton close Shah Alam, perhaps Tengku Djan could move his RaceRallyResearch skunkworks to Johor circuit. It would be interesting to see what breathed on campro engine could achieve in a Westfield...
Share the technology with the students... Let them get involved in the assembly process... Show them how to drive... etc.

MV Augusta sold for a buck... Why not a circuit?

Todays internet reports that MV Augusta has been sold for One Euro.
Here is a Quote or two from the Motorcycle.com article.

MV Agusta Sold for 1 Euro
Harley-Davidson to provide 20 million euro in escrow
By Motorcycle.Com Staff, Aug. 10, 2010
 
In addition to the $109 million spent to acquire MV Agusta, including $70 million to pay off existing debts, Harley-Davidson has written off $162.6 million in taxes for the Italian brand.
This isn’t the first time MV Agusta has been sold for 1 euro. In 2005, Malaysian carmaker Proton, which holds majority ownership of Lotus, sold its ownership MV Agusta to Italian finance company GEVI SpA. Proton originally paid 70 million euro for MV Agusta a year earlier.

Claudio Castiglioni and Son pic borrowed from article



Here is a footnote to a Wall Sreet Journal article:
A footnote: There is a certain element of should-have-known-better in this story. This isn’t the first time Harley-Davidson has had a hard time with an Italian acquisition. In the 1960s it bought a stake in Aermacchi, a maker of small off-road bikes as a way to expand into new markets. Eventually it bought the whole company, but thatmove also eventually failed and Harley sold Aermacchi in the late 1970s. The sellers and buyers: the Castiglioni brothers.

MV Augusta has been changing hands a lot recently. When Proton sold it, there was a lot of controversy.

I wish someone would sell me a circuit for a buck and then give me a huge working capital! I promise you won't be sorry!!
I'm serious about this.

I am available for such a project. It would be an outstanding success.
Think about it.

Birthday tomorrow. Lotus offer a really expensive track car. Type 125

On a personal note. It's my birthday tomorrow. Another year gone. I'm feeling great. Long may it continue.
Lotus racing are offering a hugely expensive track toy for rich clients.
Lotus Type 125 (borrowed pic from Motorauthority.com)


I have no idea if this will be produced in Malaysia where Lotus F1 have their campus in SepangF1 or in Norfolk... two possibilities, the F1 site or Group Lotus could build it under contract in Hethel.

From my perspective, I would like to tap into the F1 technolgy and spread it to people at an affordable rate.
However, it must be remembered that people who can afford to race are either very well connected, wealthy, or very fortunate to be spotted by one of the former.

We aren't talking about throwing down two article of clothing and starting a game.

If you want to race legally, you need a proper track, safety equipment, and in some cases very expensive machinery. However, if you are successful you get well rewarded.

From an educational perspective, you can obviously run driving schools. Most circuits offer this. However, I see much more than this.
Business planning/Marketing/Engineering/ Design/ Legal / Sport psychology... the list goes on.

This brings me to an article in a Malaysian paper The Sun. I quote:

Falling FDI – serious concern but not panic


Instead of selling palm oil and rubber, Malaysia should export plantation management services as well as plant biotechnology products like oil palm clones that are high-yielding, disease-resistant and faster-growing.

Malaysia should also help ease the establishment of schools and universities aimed at providing an Asian-centric education for 21st century Asia. The curriculum should be multilingual with emphasis on the region’s history, geography, economics and sociology. Properly managed with international accreditation, such educational institutions could enhance Malaysia’s appeal in attracting foreign students.

Although Singapore and Thailand already have international educational establishments, these are largely foreign transplants. Similarly, China, India and Indonesia have excellent universities. However, these tertiary institutions may not focus primarily on preparing students for employment in Asia or in a globalised world.

You may ask why a person brought up in England and a USA citizen is pushing for a University in Malaysia. I have worked in Europe and America (obviously). However, when I worked for Group Lotus in Malaysia, This idea was my 'Baby'.
We were encouraged to set up a training establishment by the 'Government'. I was tasked with coming up with a plan.
I put forward a plan to set up on a track. Given the Lotus history as a company, I felt this was a good fit. My immediate management were not supportive.
Call me stubborn, but I still think it is a good idea. Hence this blog. It obviously could be put into practice elsewhere. I don't know of many government owned companies who have potential use of government owned circuits. Lotus had the opportunity. They chose not to go further. That does not mean that I as a person cannot push the idea privately, in the public domain.