</a><p><b>HONDA MALAYSIA RACING TEAM (HMRT) KICKS OFF WITH NEW TEAM AND RISING CHALLENGING SPIRIT</b></p><table id="table1" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"><tr><td>Petaling Jaya, 12 February 2007 <p>In a simple, yet meaningful ceremony on Saturday, Honda Malaysia Racing Team (HMRT) officially kicked off to an exciting and challenging year in motorsports, specifically the Merdeka Millenium Endrance (MME) race for 2007.</p><p><img src="
http://www.zerotohundred.com/features/honda_racing_team_2007/1.jpg" alt="MME 2007 Civic - Honda Malaysia Racing Team " border="0" height="333" width="500"></p><p>Present to motivate the team at the kickoff ceremony, which was held at Honda Malaysia?s manufacturing facility in Alor Gajah, Malacca was its HMRT Team Principal who is also Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Malaysia, Mr. Yasuhide Mizuno accompanied by Honda?s management team.</p><p>Honda Malaysia Racing Team (HMRT) this year consists of 30 members who are associates of Honda Malaysia from its Malacca plant and its Sales & Marketing office in Petaling Jaya. The 30-member HMRT 2007 was selected from an overwhelming 132 applicants who went through a stringent selection process. Although lacking the professional experience in motorsports, the team?s competitive edge and strength lies in their passion to learn and spirit to overcome challenges.</p><p><img src="
http://www.zerotohundred.com/features/honda_racing_team_2007/2.jpg" alt="MME 2007 Civic - Honda Malaysia Racing Team " border="0" height="333" width="500"></p><p>?Our focus for HMRT in 2007 is to improve our efficiency, speed and accuracy in the pit. For this to happen, let us remember the objectives of HMRT which is to build team spirit and motivation. Each member of HMRT has an important role to play in the team. I hope that everyone will learn not only the technology but also teamwork and the Challenging Spirit through HMRT,? added Mr. Mizuno.</p><p>HMRT overcame three major challenges in last year?s MME. Firstly, MME 2006 saw history being made as HMRT was the first to use the 8th Generation 4-door Civic 2.0 as race cars.? HMRT also seized the challenge of building the newly launched mass-produced 8th Generation Civic 2.0 from scratch, and transforming them into race cars at our manufacturing plant here.? And thirdly, all these were done with a new HMRT team.</p><p>HMRT experienced a bittersweet victory at the MME 2006. Car 27 completed 258 laps in the race, taking home the Class A title for the fourth consecutive year.? Car 26 was doing equally well and was occupying second position until the unforeseen accident in Lap 206, which caused major damages to the car. <br>Through the display of sheer grit, determination and Challenging Spirit, HMRT Car 26 was repaired and went on to finish the race in 8th position in Class A, completing 209 laps.</p><p><img src="
http://www.zerotohundred.com/features/honda_racing_team_2007/3.jpg" alt="MME 2007 Civic - Honda Malaysia Racing Team " border="0" height="333" width="500"></p><p>Commenting on that incident last year, Mr. Mizuno said, ?That indeed was a true display of Challenging Spirit and teamwork ? the essence of Honda?s DNA!?<br><br>Year 2007 brings with it new challenges for HMRT.? They have another new team.? And this new team need to put their hearts and hands together to work on Car 26 and bring it back to the tracks to bring back the Class A title for the 5th consecutive year!?<br><br>Mr. Mizuno also took the opportunity to welcome the new members and to encourage all the young engineers in HMRT to learn from their mentors. The knowledge and technical expertise acquired and shared with their colleagues can be applied to their daily work and ultimately increase the quality of cars that Honda produces.<br><br>Mohd. Khaire, 24 years old is happy and excited that his application to join HMRT was successful.? ?I am proud to be the sole representative from the Pre-delivery Inspection department to be chosen for HMRT.? I applied to be part of the team because I want to experience the team spirit and excitement of being part of a great team and helping HMRT towards winning the title!? I am eager to start work to learn up the ropes.?<br><br>3-year HMRT veteran, Mohd. Hafez, 24 years, is vying for the overall championship title this year.? His personal contribution to the team this year is to train himself to change tyres at the fastest possible speed and to share the knowledge and experience from last year with new team members.? ?I was the leader for the team of mechanics for Car 26 last year.? Therefore, I will try my very best to work on Car 26 and get it ready for the race this year.? My experience in MME has enabled me to be more efficient and accurate in my daily work as I am able to apply what I have learnt especially in body repairs.?<br><br>Competing at the highest level of motorsports technology and overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges are all part of Honda?s DNA. This year will be no exception as Honda once again brings its ?Challenging Spirit? to MME 2007. <br><br> </td></tr></table>
