Top 3 Luxury Cars and Sporting Events Across Malaysia

One of the country's top luxury carmakers -- Mercedes-Benz Malaysia - supports important sporting events around Malaysia including golf tournaments and sports car races.

The world class MercedesTrophy was held for the 19th straight year beginning in April, 2009 at the Nexus Gold Resort Karambunai in Sabah, and ending at the Saujana Golf Country Club in Selangor on June 18. In between, the event stopped at the Bukit Jambul Country Club in Penang and the Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club in Johor. The tournament is open only to owners of Mercedes -Benz cars from authorized Mercedes dealers across Malaysia.

Winners in the Men's and Women's categories go on to represent Malaysia in the Asian final in Melbourne, Australia courtesy of Mercedes-Benz. Winners in each handicap category then qualify for the World Final in Stuttgart, Germany. Players that hit a hole-in-one can win a free Mercedes-Benz car.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia also supports the Formula One World Championship. In 2009, this event began in March, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. The Kuala Lumpur leg was held in April, and the season finale takes place in November at the Yas Island Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. The race also travels to Istanbul, Budapest, Valencia and Sau Paulo. Singapore hosts the only night race of the competition.

The eleventh Formula One PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix, held in April 2009, was organised by Malaysian Formula One promoter, Sepang International Circuit. In 2008, a Mercedes Benz SL 63 AMG was chosen as the official safety car of the Formula One World Championships.

In March, 2009, Cycle & Carriage Bintang Mercedes-Benz held their members exclusive Saujana Golf Club Carnival as part of its 110th Anniversary celebration, where they offered members four special discount packages to purchase a new Mercedes-Benz E 200K vehicle. The event also featured two sets of prizes - two free Mercedes-Benz B170 cars, and a free year-long subscription to the Saujana Golf & Country Club.

CCB Mercedes-Benz dealers offer a range of Mercedes-Benz models across Malaysia, including the S-Class Saloon known for its special safety technology. The S-Class features the Electronic Stability Program ESP® and PRE-SAFE® positioning function. For off-road adventures, there is the GL-Class with powerful V6 or V8 engines and AirMATIC air suspension to help make rough terrain travel more comfortable. This cross-country vehicle can accommodate up to seven passengers. Sports car lovers might want to inspect the SLK-Class Roadster and its 224 kW (305 hp) SLK 350 engine. This sleek convertible revs up to 7200 rpm and is aerodynamically designed for speed and handling. The SLK is the world's most popular roadster in its class.

The luxury car manufacturer also participates in other events throughout the year. For example, to help celebrate its 110th Anniversary, a Mini Sales Carnival was held at Lot 19, PJ Autohaus. Past events include the Merdeka Carnival to help commemorate Malaysia's 50th Anniversary, in which participants were allowed to test-drive Mercedes-Benz models. In 2008, they featured a series of road shows with promotional deals and new vehicle displays.

We're yet to see what next in store with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia...

Experience the Exhilaration at the Malaysian GP

Imagine the adrenaline pumping speed of the world's fastest cars, the skill of the world's fastest drivers and the glamour associated with Formula One. If that sounds good combine the tropical paradise of Malaysia including great shopping malls and vibrant night spots. Add to the mix a sprinkling of culture, adventure and exploration. That is what the Formula One Grand Prix at Sepang Malaysia is all about; it is perhaps too good to be true, never has such a combination of almost everything one would want on a holiday been so perfectly incorporated into one package.

The Malaysian Sepang racing circuit has lauded by racing pundits as being hyper modern even by lofty F1 standards. The Malaysian Grand Prix was added to the Formula One calendar in 1999 though FIA sanctioned racing events were worked off here since the 1960's. So far nine races have been held here and each one was heralded by drivers and the crowd as being highly competitive and interesting. The freak weather that is experienced in the tropics provides adds an extra dimension to racing in Sepang. Drivers may experience clear skies and sunny weather one moment only to endure a rainstorm in a few minutes.

One such incident was in 2001 when the race was hit by a severe rainstorm when the drivers were halfway through the race. This called for a dramatic change of tactics by the teams and also for different driving style by the drivers. The ensuing conditions caused the two Ferraris to spin off the tracks and in a thrilling climax they made a remarkable recovery to be complete a Ferrari one-two. The Malaysian Grand Prix which was earlier held at the end of the season was later moved to the beginning and this year's race was won by reigning Champion Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari.

The Malaysian Grand Prix is also known to be preceded by a few off-track events known as Pit Stop parties; some parties are sponsored by Formula One team such as the Renault F1 concert and the Toyota Rev party. A number of other cultural events and exhibitions are also scheduled during this time for visiting tourists. Even shopping malls get into the "F1 spirit" by announcing discount sales and special opening hours.

Since the track is located close to the Kuala Lumpur international airport a budget hotel in Kuala Lumpur would be an ideal place for visitors to base themselves on their trip to Sepang. One such hotel that offers great access to the transportation network and the city's attractions is Citrus hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Discovering Formula 1

Chances are you've already heard of the big name F1 Drivers-Germany's Michael Schumacher or the UK's Lewis Hamilton-but perhaps you're just discovering just how much of a thrill F1 can be. Here's an intro to the world's fastest (and most expensive) sport.

Since the beginning Formula 1 has been distinguished by the unique and winding tracks, which demand much greater driver skill than stock car racing's oval shaped surfaces. The history of the F1 Circuit is the history of the sport-in its first years virtually all of its Grand Prix events were held in Europe, with occasional trips to North America. In more recent years the FIA has run races in much more exotic locales such as Malaysia, Bahrain and Brazil. F1 results are posted in dozens of languages and kept apace of on every continent-wherever you travel you'll find Formula One fans. Next time you are far from home, keep your eyes peeled for strangers F1 merchandise-it'll offer a splendid opportunity to practice the native tongue.

Because of its international stature and major economic impact, the politics of the F1 circuit are also significant. There are two championships in the sport-that for F1 drivers and that for constructors, the teams and companies that build the vehicles. The sport's very name is derived from the strictest "formula" of rules governing world auto racing-when cheating occurs, it is news on the business page and the world affairs page in addition to the sporting section. For example, when legendary F1 constructor McLaren was discovered to be spying on their rivals Ferrari in 2007, the UK's McLaren was slapped with the largest fine in the history of sport: US$100 million (roughly £50 million at the time).

Whether the speeds in excess of 350 km/h get you going, or the 4 and 5 Gs pulled by intrepid F1 drivers, or the chic offered by F1 merchandise: this is the most thrilling of sports to jump into. Find F1 results, upcoming events on the F1 circuit and even reserve your F1 Grand Prix tickets online today!