TOC Automotive College Archives

The Future of Motorsports Industry

Motorsports is not just about riders trying to outdo each other.
Motorsports is becoming more complex as motorcycles get more complex.
The TOC Automotive College provides the TOC Superbike Technician Course to prepare the students for such eventualities.

When hear the word motorsports, it’s all too easy to visualize a bunch of bikes ridden at breakneck speeds, and their riders planting their knees firmly onto the track in the corners. But truth is, motorsports involves much more than just fast bikes and riders.

It’s safe to say that track action is only 10% of what goes on in motorsports. 90% is about preparation which includes bike setup, maintenance, and repair; data acquisition and analysis; rider conditioning; testing… the list goes on and on.

This is why motorsports is an “industry,” rather than just races in the actual sense. And the industry never sleeps.

Ever-evolving motorcycles

Motorcycles are evolving by leaps and bounds by every annual Intermot and EICMA motorshows. This is because manufacturers seek to outdo their rivals by introducing new and even more advanced models.

We used to marvel at electronic fuel injection 20 years ago, but now fuel injection works in tandem with traction control (TC) and rider-selectable power modes. Speaking of TC, it was a mere pipe dream but now virtually all systems are smarter and faster than even professional riders.

Ducati Panigale V4 R’s instrument display

Early TC systems were rudimentary, at best, relying on wheel-speed sensors but now they’re hooked up to a clever device called the Inertial Measurement Unit. Instead of just checking to see if a wheel or both wheels are slipping to regulate torque and power transmission, new TC systems actually proportions assistance according to the bike’s lean angles.

IMU-based TC has another benefit for the anti-lock braking system (ABS). Hence, IMU-equipped ABS not only helps to keep the wheels from locking up but it’s again lean-angle sensitive.

There’s also engine braking control, wheelie control, rear tyre lift mitigation, suspension control, launch control, quickshifter, etc.

2019 Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory electronic suspension system

But of course, racing is about power. A number of manufacturers have equipped their bikes with variable valve timing (VVT). An engine with VVT is in effect two engines in one. Rather than being tuned for lots of power at the expense of torque or vice-versa, why not have both?

And we haven’t even touched on brakes, suspension and frames yet!

What does it mean for the industry?

The myriad of systems on modern bikes are electronically-controlled. Therefore, the motorsports industry needs to adapt by introducing parts and expertise to deal with electronics.

It’s no longer merely about twisting the suspension’s adjusters here besides wondering about what tyres to use or figuring the correct carburettor jetting. Each team must obtain the correct data to optimise their motorcycle setups.

Where is it headed?

In terms of machinery, they are getting more and more complex due to electronics. It’s electronics that unlock the full potential of modern bikes. Of course, all bikes are different in terms of mechanical setup, but they adhere to the same basic principles.

In terms of the motorsport industry, we will see increasing number of electronic engineers or mechanics that are savvy in electronics occupying places in race teams. Electronics used to be the domain of MotoGP prototype racing, but the technologies have been trickled down to other classes of bikes including roadgoing superbikes.

How does TOC play a part?

The Superbike Technician Course in the TOC Automotive College prepares the students by training them on real-world and motorsports applications.

It means that the students not only know how to work on the mechanical aspects, but also in terms of electronics.

In fact, TOC has worked with race teams in the Malaysian Superbike Championship (MSBK) and Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF) by sending their students to work with the race teams. The students come away better prepared by the time they hit the job market.

Conclusion

Looking to spanner for pros? Look no further and check out the Superbike Technician Course at the TOC Automotive College. TOC also offers the Bina Bakat student loans programme.

Find out more about the TOC Superbike Technician Course at www.toc.edu.myor call (+603) 7960 8833 for more details.

CLICK HERE to know more about TOC’s Superbike Technician Course.

TOC Bina Bakat Recognized as Assistance to B40 Segment

TOC Bina Bakat programme is officially recognized by the Ministry of Education Malaysia.
It seeks to assist the B40 segment students.
The programme was officially launched together with the ministry today.

The TOC Automotive College had launched the TOC Bina Bakat programme in 2018 to provide financial assistance to those in need of quality education at the college.

The programme provides up 100% education loan in addition to a work-based learning curriculum. The college targeted lower- and middle-income households as the beneficiaries for assistance, while providing them with the correct technical knowledge and skills for future jobs in the automotive industry and beyond.

As highlighted in the Education Ministry’s Education Blueprint (Higher Education), there will be demand for an additional 1.3 million Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) workers by 2020, in the 12 National Key Economic Areas, as part of the government’s Economic Transformation Programme.

YB Dr. Maszlee Malik’s representative at the launch

As such, human capital must be sought from everywhere including among the marginalized B40 income groups, thus the programme is their perfect springboard to high-quality education and opportunity in the work force.

As we’ve written before, the programme provides places for automotive education without upfront tuition fees. On top of that, the college will seek job placement for the graduates on completion of their courses. It also covers the new TOC Superbike Technician Course, by the way.

A total of 62 students have benefitted from the TOC Bina Bakat programme as of now. the programme is expected to grow exponentially due to nationwide recruitment in all states in Peninsular Malaysia.

“This infrastructure TOC built through their programmes and industry partnerships is critical in helping the Ministry of Education reach the students that we are trying to help the most. This includes those who find themselves with less interest in academics, as well as those who may have failed their SPM examinations, or even failed to obtain places in vocational, public and private colleges,” in a statement prepared by YB Dr. Maszlee Malik, Education Minister of Malaysia.

Please click here to find out more about the TOC Automotive College. Please click here if you are interested in the Superbike Technician Course. TOC has a programme called Bina Bakat to assist potential students in need of an education loan.

TOC Automotive College can be reached at (+603) 7960 8833

Soal Jawab Bersama Pelajar Antarabangsa Di Kolej Automotif TOC

Kami telah menemubual seorang pelajar antarabangsa di Kolej Automotif TOC.
Kami ingin mengetahui bagaimana pelajar asing menyesuaikan diri dengan sukat pembelajaran dan juga pelajar yang lain.
Gaya pembelajaran kolej ini membuka cara bagi para pelajar untuk mempelajari tentang kerjasama, tanpa mengira dari negara mana mereka datang.

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Q&A: An International Student in TOC Automotive College

We spoke to an international student at the TOC Automotive College.
We had wanted to see how foreign students could adapt to the other students and syllabus.
The college’s learning style opens up the way for students to learn teamwork, regardless of which country they are from.

While some admire those who study abroad, it may not be as easy as it seems. Apart from monetary concerns, there is always the difficulty of cultural and language barriers. But there are international students at the TOC Automotive College.

We sat down for a short Q&A session to garner his perspective.

Bikes Republic (BR): Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Ahmed Mohamed Frah Idris (AM): I’m from Sudan. I started out in the Certificate Course before progressing to Diploma in Automotive Technology (DAT). I came to TOC through the April 2017 intake.

I’m currently in my first year in Diploma in Automotive Technology. I’ll be doing my Supervised Industrial Training (SIT) after completing 5 subjects. It’ll happen in four months’ time.

BR: What made you choose this college and subject?
AM: I picked this college as I prefer hands-on learning. I’m interested in learning about the practical side about an engine and how it works.

BR: What do you find unique about TOC Automotive College?
AM: What I found unique is like our dress code, the discipline in classes, the stress on punctuality. More importantly, TOC gives us the opportunity to work in different workshops and getting more work experience to ready us for the workplace when we graduate.

BR: How do you like it so far? What’s your impression of being an international student here?
AM: So far, it’s really good, especially for me and other international students to know more about different cultures. Malaysia has a lot of different cultures that I learn from. I also get to meet other international students and learning about their cultures.

BR: What are your plans when you finish your studies?
AM: Am hoping to get more work experience in Malaysia then I can develop what I learned here and bring it back to my home country.

Conclusion

TOC Automotive College provides an atmosphere which is conducive learning regardless if you are a local or from other countries. This is achieved through lots of hands-on work which requires the students to work closely, hence opening the opportunity to better interpersonal relationships. People skills are important in the workplace if one hopes to succeed.

We would also like to stress that each student that we interviewed loved the hands-on approach to learning, rather than too sitting through too many mind-numbing lectures in the classrooms.

TOC Automotive College can be reached at (+603) 7960 8833

Tabiat Yang Perlu Ditanam Untuk Cemerlang Dalam Industri Automotif Dan Sukan Permotoran

Ada beberapa tabiat-tabiat tertentu yang membawa kejayaan dalam industri automotif dan sukan permotoran.
Kami telah bercakap dengan Harun Zainal, salah seorang jurulatih Kursus Juruteknik Superbike Kolej Automotif TOC.
Adakah anda memilikinya?

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Habits to Excel in the Automotive and Motorsports Industries

There are certain habits to be successful in the automotive and motorsports industries.
Here we spoke to Harun Zainal, one of TOC Automotive College’s Trainer in the Superbike Technician Course.
Do you have what it takes?

It’s just like reading the book “Millionaire Success Habits.” There should exist certain habits to be successful in the automotive and motorsports industries, too.

We decided to speak to Harun Zainal, a Trainer in the Superbike Technician Course at TOC Automotive College.

Bikes Republic: Surely TOC Automotive College welcomes every student. But what do these students need in order to excel?
Harun Zainal: First of all, it’s passion and patience, especially in motorsports. It’s because we don’t know how our team will be. A team is made of different personalities and attitudes, so we need to be strong.

Other than that, as a technician, we should love to look at machinery in motion. We can’t take it when we see a broken or motionless vehicle. In motorsports you want to see the vehicle become faster.

It is the technician’s mission in making that vehicle go faster. But how do we do that? You need to work with the team.

There must also be a willingness to learn. There’s no such thing as you stop learning in the industry. There is always something new that you will learn. You learn at every single race.

Bikes Republic: What make motorsports tough?
Harun Zainal: It’s not just about making the vehicle go fast. We need to learn about the regulations and make it work within that set of rules. Not adhering to the rules means disqualification. (Getting DQ’d wastes everyone’s effort, time and money – Editor.)

Bikes Republic: What kind of motorcycle racing is TOC involved in?
Harun Zainal: TOC is involved in racing the Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK), the TOC-Ducati Desmo Cup and Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF).

We supply the pit crew to these teams involved (so the students may learn).

Bikes Republic: How about the TOC students who are graduating? What qualities should they have when entering the workforce?
Harun Zainal: Based on my own experience, it’s not about the salary, it’s about loving what you do. It’s about having a vehicle running optimally.

To me a technician is like a motorcycle or car doctor. You should not think about money, instead you should focus more on helping people. That shouldn’t only apply to my students, but also to all the technicians in the country.

Bikes Republic: There are many workshops that still lack in proper workshop practices. Does TOC inculcate the correct workshop practices?
Harun Zainal: Yes, of course. We already teach the students about proper workshop ethics from their very first classes on the first day. It’s about training up self-discipline good attitude.

We hope that they could spread this culture among other technicians. I think a big number of workshops are gradually beginning to change their ways.

Vehicle owners are increasingly aware about sending their vehicles to workshops that are clean, have proper tools, etc. This is a good culture. I can foresee that the workshops in our country will head towards being better in the next few years.

TOC Automotive College can be reached at (+603) 7960 8833

Merintis Haluan: Pelajar Automotif Wanita di TOC

Industri automotif telah didominasi oleh lelaki buat sekian lama tetapi semakin banyak wanita yang turut terlibat.
Kami telah berpeluang mengenali beberapa orang pelajar wanita di Kolej Automotif TOC.
Mereka merintis jalan bagi menghancurkan stereotaip.

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Kolej Automotif TOC: Dari Sudut Pandangan Pelajar

Bagaimana rasanya menjadi seorang pelajar di Kolej Automotif TOC?
Kami telah menemubual Louis Tan, seorang pelajar SKM Tahap 3.
Pelajar TOC mempunyai pelbagai peluang bermula dengan di mana mereka belajar hingga apabila mereka telah menamatkan pengajian.

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TOC Automotive College: A Student’s Perspective

How is like to be a student at the TOC Automotive College?
We interviewed Louis Tan, an SKM Level 3 student.
TOC students have lots going for them from when they are studying to when they graduate.

As “The grass is on the other side” saying goes, it is always a pretty perspective to those looking in from the outside. It applies to just about everything in life: Other jobs, other countries, your mate’s girlfriend, another college.

We have published many articles regarding the TOC Automotive College from our point of view. However, we were always curious about how the college is truly like from an insider’s perspective i.e. from a student.

We grabbed one of TOC’s students and asked a few probing questions.

Louis Tan is now studying for the Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM) Level 3. He began studying in TOC in 2017.

Bikes Republic (BR): How’s it like studying in the TOC Automotive College, generally?

Louis Tan (LT): Studying in TOC is very exciting, because they always come up with many ideas on how to prepare students for the actual working environment.

For example, my core study is not on motorsports but just a few weeks ago, I was at the Sepang International Circuit for the Malaysian Superbike Championship (MSBK). TOC and MSF gave me the chance to be a pit crew in the Hiap Aik Suzuki Team.

BR: What motivated you to enroll in TOC Automotive College?
LT: I was learning a different subject in another college prior to enrolling in TOC. I studied there for only one semester and decided it wasn’t my thing.

My passion is for automotive subjects. I looked around and decided TOC was the best, as it had the best facilities. But TOC was costlier. I went back to my Boss, who was sponsoring my studies, and he encouraged me to go ahead with TOC. He said quality is more important.

Besides the facilities, TOC has partnered with many organizations. That way, students have plenty of opportunities when they graduate and that is very important.

BR: Does TOC prepare you for the current advancements in automotive technology?

LT: Truthfully, a course makes up 50% of what you learn. The other 50% is up to your own initiative. However, a good course guides you to obtaining the correct information.

TOC’s course structure consists of just 20% classroom theory but 80% actual hands-on learning.

BR: What future do you see for yourself?

LT: There’s lots of good future after studying in TOC. You can choose to be a technician or mechanic, race engineer or aftersales manager.

BR: Which manufacturers can TOC students look forward to working in after graduation?

LT: A lot! We can choose from around 800 of TOC’s partners! We’ve got partners such as Ferrari, Ford, Perodua, Proton, Honda, Toyota, Peugeot and many, many more.

BR: How did you like being involved in motorsports?

LT: It was the first time I witnessed a race from behind the scenes. It was during this time that I saw the passion of the race teams.

It was a great experience as a crew, too. The race was declared a wet race, meaning the riders have to come in and swap tyres after the race had begun. Each team had only 10-minutes to do so.

But one of the bikes’ fuel line came loose and sprayed out fuel just before leaving the pits. We had to rush like crazy to fix it!

The tension was crazy. That’s something one couldn’t experience in a classroom.

BR: So, it looks like students can have a great time learning here?

LT: That’s right! I’m glad I came here!

CONCLUSION

As we’ve written many times before, the TOC Automotive College offers comprehensive learning environment as well as future for the students. The college also offers plenty of different courses in catering to each student’s interest.

So what are you waiting for? If it has always been your dream to work in the motorcycle service line, or to start your very own motorcycle workshop, then this is the perfect platform to get you started on the path to achieving your dreams. Don’t wait, find out more about the TOC Superbike Technician Course at www.toc.edu.myor call (+603) 7960 8833 for more details.

CLICK HEREto know more about TOC’s Superbike Technician Course.

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