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Nicola Dutto: First Paraplegic in Dakar Rally

Nicola Dutto is the first paralyzed motorcycle rider in the Dakar Rally.
His KTM EXC-F 450 is specially modified for the task.
His team consists of another three riders for assistance.

We know how tough the Dakar Rally is on able bodied athletes, but Nicola Dutto is out to prove to himself that a paraplegic can compete in the event.

Dutto was the 2008 and 2009 European Baja Champion. Unfortunately, a crash in the 2010 European Baja in Italy left him paralyzed.

But he bounced back to race in the 2011 event in a Polaris buggy. Yet he knew that there was nothing like the man and machine synergy of riding a motorcycle. He experimented with roll cages to protect his lower body. Entering Spain’s Baja Aragon four months later, he finished 24^th.

This achievement inspired Dutto to compete in the Dakar Rally as the first paraplegic.

To help with his disabilities, Dutto made a number of modifications to his KTM 450 EXC-F. The clutch is electric, and the rear brake lever is moved to the handlebar. wheelchair cushion specialists Vicair build a seat for support. Dutto needed protection from the punishing shocks as he is unable to stand up while off-roading in rough terrain. A roll cage is fitted to protect his lower body, while his legs are secured with a three-point harness.

However, Dutto needs to rely on his team to ride effectively. It consists of his one-time rivals Julián Villarrubia, Pablo Toral and Victor Rivera. One rider will ride ahead to scan the terrain and be Dutto’s spotter when he stops. The other two riders will help to pick Dutto up in case he falls.

Dutto is still going strong at the end of the Dakar 2019 Stage 2. Let’s look out for this extraordinary rider and his team.

MotoGP: Pedrosa to Miss KTM Shakedown Test at SIC

Dani Pedrosa has rebroken his right collarbone.
As such, he will miss the shakedown test at SIC.
The bone was rebroken in physical exertion, not a crash.

Fans of Dani Pedrosa will not see him during the shakedown test at SIC (Sepang International Circuit) in February astride a KTM RC16.

He rebroke his right collarbone without a crash of physical impact but through a “gesture of strength” as reported in the press release. It meant that the rider was probably just exercising.

The injury is the result of having broken the bone twice before and required surgery to fit plates. Consequently, the collarbone has sclerotic lesion which slows regrowth. Furthermore, osteoporosis has set in due to lack of blood flow resulting in a brittle bone.

He rebroke his right collarbone which will require another surgery and long recovery process before being able to test the KTM again.

Dani Pedrosa has retired from the Repsol Honda team and MotoGP competitive racing last year. He later announced that he will take up the roll of test rider for the KTM factory team. He managed to ride the KTM RC16 in the Valencia and Jerez post-season tests and provided some feedback to the team.

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.

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

BMW Motorrad Malaysia Introduces 3-Year Warranty and 3-Year Roadside Assistance

BMW Motorrad Malaysia launched two new programs.
They are the 3-Year Warranty and 3-Year Roadside Assistance.
The company also released the prices of their motorcycles effective 1^stJanuary 2019.

BMW Motorrad Malaysia has launched a 3-Year Warranty and 3-Year Roadside Assistance programs. The programs set the benchmark for premium motorcycle ownership in Malaysia.

Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia, Harald Hoelzl said that the programs offer a complete peace of mind to customers, as part of an ownership experience. Additionally, it is how the company differentiate themselves from other makers in the industry.

The all-new BMW Motorrad 3-Year Warranty Program is supported by BMW Group AG. It covers free repairs and parts replacement for manufacturer or material defect, regardless of mileage.

On the other hand, the Roadside Assistance Program allows customers to get hold of a team of specialists who are on standby 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Services are in the form of professional and expert support during emergencies, including towing should there be a breakdown.

The program is applicable to all BMW motorcycles registered from 1^stJanuary 2019 onwards. However, it does not apply to the HP4 Race.

Please log on to https://www.bmw-motorrad.com.my/en/service/services/warranty.htmlfor more information on the new programs.

BMW Malaysia also released the latest 2019 prices of their motorcycles, including projected monthly repayment figures under BMW Credit financing.

Shell Malaysia Wants to Send You to New Zealand, South Korea or Italy

Shell Malaysia officially launched their Win a Trip with Shell contest.
A winner is picked every week.
The winner can choose among New Zealand, South Korea or Italy for their dream holiday.

Shell Malaysia announced the first winner of the Win a Trip with Shell contest during its official launch today. A winner is chosen each week and they can request a holiday package among New Zealand, South Korea or Italy.

The first winner, Wan Muhammad Fathi Bin Wan Nik Kamal chose New Zealand as his dream destination.

To qualify for this contest, a customer needs to do the following:

Spend a minimum of RM40 at Shell retail stations nationwide.
Choose your favourite holiday destination among Italy, New Zealand or South Korea.
Submit the form with valid and eligible receipt(s).

Customers can purchase any of the following products:

Shell fuels.
Shell lubricants.
Products sold in Shell Select and Kedai (not including tobacco products, top-up via e-Pay, or Touch N Go top-up).

Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn. Bhd. and Shell Timur Sdn. Bhd. said, “Customers are our priority here at Shell and we aim to make life’s journeys better for all. We recognize Malaysian’s love for gaining new experiences through travelling and from that, we derived the Win a Trip with Shell contest as a way for us to turn everyday journeys into a memorable and rewarding experience that our customres can look forward to this new year.”

Additionally, there will be roadshows across the nation featuring interactive set-ups to showcase the grand prizes. Customers who choose Italy can try their hands on an F1 simulator. On the other hand, customers who opt for New Zealand can try a Haka chant. As for customers who choose South Korea, they can dance-off to K-Pop music.

The roadshows are happening at Tesco Kepong (11^thto 13^thJanuary), Sunway Pyramid (17^thto 20^thJanuary), East Coast Mall, Kuantan (31^stJanuary to 3^rdFebruary), KSL City Mall, Johor Bahru (15^thto 17^thFebruary), Queensbay Mall, Penang (21^stto 24^thFebruary), and AEON Station 18, Ipoh (26^thFebruary to 3^rdMarch).

Please visit https://www.shell.com.my/percutianimpianfor more details.

Free Motorcycle License in Terengganu from 1st February

The Terengganu state government is offering free motorcycle licences.
The programme starts from 1^stFebruary and ends on 1^stMarch 2019
It is open for residents from 16- to 40-years-old.

The Terengganu state government is offering free motorcycle license beginning 1^stFebruary 2019.

The offer assists residents aged 16- to 40-years-old in the state to obtain their B2 motorcycle license. An estimated 25,000 candidates are expected to take part in the Lesen Motosikal Terengganu Sejahtera (LMTS).

Registration via an online portal and manual means will open from 1^stFebruary until 1^stMarch 2019.

The Chairman of the state’s Youth Development and Sports, and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Committee Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah told Harian Metro that Terengganu’s youth will reap the benefits of the programme.

“We will hold a meeting with the agencies involved, besides promoting and sending the forms to each state legislative assembly (DUN), Institute Modal Insan Terengganu Sejahtera (i-MiTS) and Majlis Pengurusan Komuniti Kampung (MPKK),” said Wan Sukairi.

He added, “Candidates can send the filled forms to the nearest MPKK, DUN’s office and MPKK. There, the applications will be vetted against the set conditions.”

The offering of free motorcycle licenses is part of the state government’s 14^thGeneral Elections Manifesto and promise if they win the state. A total of RM 7 million will be allocated for the programme following the tabling of state’s budget.