Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
Sepang, Malaysia. The Porsche Experience Centre (PEC) Sepang enjoyed 2018 as its most successful year ever with an unprecedented number of track days as well as a record number of participants coming through its doors. From 41 track days, PEC Sepang welcomed 668 participants and more than 800 visitors, making the facility the main hub for the Porsche Experience in Southeast Asia.
The Porsche World Road Show (PWRS) kicked off the year, followed by the regional media launch of the Cayenne. Various track experiences took place thereafter, including the Media Driving Academy where Porsche invested in sharpening the driving skills of journalists. However, the highlight events for the PEC Sepang were the Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR and the 911 GT3 Cup Car trainings, which were born from a desire to further develop motorsport in the region, in response to the strong demand from enthusiasts. The 911 GT3 Cup Car training in particular was held for the first time in South East Asia.
The year wrapped up with the inaugural E-Performance Nights media event that took advantage of the night lights of the Sepang International Circuit. With this event, the PEC Sepang made history as the first Porsche Experience location operating for nearly 24 hours in a day. For all of these events, the most impressive PEC Sepang car pool ever was employed, which included cars as varied and exciting as the 911 Carrera T, 911 GT3, 718 Boxster GTS, Cayenne Turbo, Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid and 918 Spyder.
Marc Beil, Marketing Event Manager at Porsche Asia Pacific, who is also responsible for the day-to-day operations of the PEC Sepang, said: “It has been a packed year but we have enjoyed every single moment at the PEC Sepang, especially how we have found and harnessed the talent of motorsport enthusiasts to have the Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR and the 911 GT3 Cup Car trainings the first time in Southeast Asia. I would like to say a big thank you to all of the participants – fans, customers, Porsche Club members and journalists alike – who have contributed to the most successful year ever for us. I am looking forward to an even greater 2019 with more fantastic Porsche Experience events and a brand new fleet of high-performance Porsche vehicles.”
Making Another Wish Come True
Besides its everyday business, the PEC Sepang also delivered the ultimate dream for a wish child in collaboration with Make-A-Wish® Malaysia. Yogan, an 11-year-old diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, has a great fascination for fast cars, and shares a collection of toy racing cars with his younger brother. Yogan’s ultimate wish is to meet Superman, but due to his busy schedule saving the world, the thrill of zooming around a racetrack in a Porsche was the closest possible experience to Yogan’s dream.
One of Superman’s abilities is that he is faster than a speeding bullet. The Porsche 911 Turbo S with 580 hp and a 0-100 km/h acceleration of merely 2.9 seconds was the perfect car to deliver a thrilling ride for Yogan with Porsche Works Driver Earl Bamber behind the wheel. Bamber piloted the Porsche 919 Hybrid to victory in Le Mans 2015 and 2017. Like Yogan who is bravely fighting his disease against all odds, Earl’s meteoric achievements also belies his humble beginnings growing up on a farm on North Island, New Zealand.
Eyeing Further Growth in 2019
In 2019, the PEC Sepang is set to offer more premium events, including the Porsche Track Experience and the Porsche Motorsport GT Day with rarefied sports cars like the 911 GT3 Cup and the 911 GT3 RS. PEC Sepang will field a brand new fleet of Porsche vehicles that will include legends such as the 911 GT3 RS and the new 911/992.
One significant role that the PEC Sepang will play is being an E-Performance competence center, focusing on the increasing electrification of the Porsche model range, such as plug-in hybrid Porsche vehicles like the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid and the fully-electric Taycan, which will make its debut in 2020.
For more information and to register your interest for PEC Sepang, please visit their website at www.porsche.com/experienceAPAC. For more information about Porsche in the Philippines, please visit the Porsche Centre Philippines, 201 EDSA, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila or call (632) 727-0381 to 85 or visit their website at www.porsche.com
