THE DESMOGIRL HAS FINALLY ARRIVED...

Alya Fatini, approx 15 minutes after delivery

How can i forget to post this latest addition of DesmoKids? Its not too late, is it? I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the latest member of our family, Alya Fatini, born December 17th 2008. Our first princess, your Ummi and Abah welcomes you to this whole new challenging world. May you be a virtuos muslimah, insya Allah.

F1 TO CUT COST..FINALLY

The announcement that Honda's F1 team is to close has put the sport in turbulence. As we knew, Honda is pulling out of the sport because the company can no longer justify the huge sums it has spent on some very sorry results. This was swiftly followed by pull outs of Subaru and Suzuki from the WRC. On the two wheels scene, Kawasaki had also opted out of MotoGP. And the numbers may not stop there.

As such, starting in 2009, big savings will be made on F1 engine costs, in-season testing and staff numbers, following a meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Monaco. Here's the blueprint of the proposal.

Engines:
- From 2009, engine life to be doubled. Each driver to use maximum of eight engines per season; each team can use an additional four for testing
- Limited to 18,000 revs per minute.
- Cost to independent teams will be approximately 50% of 2008 prices.
- 2010 engine will continue to be used in 2011 and 2012.

Race weekend:
- From 2010, standardised radio and telemetry systems, a ban on tyre warmers, mechanical purging of tyres and refuelling on race weekends.
- Possible reduction in race distance or duration (proposal to follow after market research).

Research:
- From 2009, no wind tunnel exceeding 60% scale and 50 metres per second to be used after 1 January 2009.
- Restrictions on aerodynamic research, combined with a full analysis of factory facilities.
- Factory closures for six weeks per year, to accord with local laws.

Other:
- From 2010, subject to confirmation of practicability, the same transmission will be used by all teams.
- FIA to compose a standard parts list for the chassis.
- FIA and Formula One Teams' Association to study possibility of an entirely new power train (engine and transmission) for 2013, based on energy efficiency

GREEN TEE BY DESMODESIGN

I'm back at last. It has been a very hectic November with so many things going on (don't want to bored you telling all those stories). But i do think this one new project of mine is interesting enough, for me at least. This are the T-shirt (dubbed the Green Tee) i've designed for an environmental post graduate student group in UPM. Thanks to Faiz whose helping me to translate my concept and idea into a workable graphic format . I've received about 75 orders for the Green Tees. After delivery, there's additional request for reprint of 32 pcs. So, there will be 107 owners of Green Tees out there.

Al Fatihah...

It's been a while since i did my last blogging session. And this post is not an attempt to re-blog just yet. It's just that i've been very busy with my post-grad studies for the past few months. And there's still few papers that i have to sit in the exam this November. So, pray for my success ok?

Talking about success, there will be none coming for my younger sister. Not anymore. She just passed away on October 13, 2008. And she's only 31 years young. She's one of the brightest student during her studies (also in our family) and got the Vice Chancellor Award during her graduation in UITM Shah Alam. And she's on course for a fast track career promotion in one of the department in Putrajaya. She's a dedicated worker and well liked by her colleagues and peers alike, judging from huge numbers of them visiting in the hospital and also during the funeral. Even the Director General came all the way to our hometown in Batu Pahat to pay her last respect.

Her death came exactly 40 days after i lost my grandma and less than a year after my dad passed away on November 14, 2007. It's been a very trying time for our family, especially for my mum. Whatever the reason, we have to accept that Allah loves them more. May their soul rest in peace and be among the members of Jannah. Al Fatihah......

Some of the strangest excuses

Those who have been traveling in the UK, especially our Malaysian students, may found that Europcar is no stranger to them. Europcar rents thousands of vehicles out a day so expects the occasional late return or damaged vehicle. But a recent survey of its branches revealed some of the strangest reasons for damage to cars or late returns.

1. A collision with a cow (Liverpool Branch)

2. A horse sat on the bonnet (Newcastle Branch)

3. A nasty accident with an ice cream (Derby Branch)

4. Pot bellied pig aids car thief (York Branch)

5. Keys go missing while driver has a snooze (Derby Branch)

6. Car is lost in multi-storey (Birmingham South Branch)

7. Helpful neighbour gives keys to dustman (Leicester Branch)

8. A lion took a dislike to the car (Newport Branch)

Catriona Lougher of Europcar comments; “Europcar staff are certainly kept on their toes by customers and there is never a dull day in the office with some of these stories. But staff are always professional and understanding no matter how bizarre the reason for damage or late return.”

COOL....AND USELESS

Good news for local Mat or Minah Rempits. Unless you’re driving a bicycle, the Skull Helmet from Santiago Chopper is guaranteed to give by-passers the chills when you’re strolling along the road with your bad ass bike. However, you'd better be extra careful cause as cool as it looks, the Skull Helmet doesn’t promise to offer a lot of protection to your jaw in case of an accident. But it's your choice. I have to admit it does look intimidating. Prefer it in white though. Ouchh..scary...

TOYOTA LANDCRUISER ARABIAN NIGHTMARE EDITION

They say money can’t buy good taste, but this Toyota Landcruiser is the embodiment of bad taste. I agree that people want to be unique, to express their own personality through the objects that they own but the lenght some people go to make their cars unique, to know that there isn’t any car like their’s on the road is sometimes pretty scary. This car, which seems to be licensed to one of the United Arab Emirates, can easily be mistaken for an alien vehicle or one from the future, a future i won’t like to live in though.

COMPLETELY NEMO!

Nemo Concetto illustrates the astonishing closeness between the Citroën Nemo and its clown fish homonym.

Like the fish, Nemo Concetto can be considered as “small” among its peers. However, its size is an asset, since it is able to nip in and out of traffic easily. In a world where it would be tempting to think that bigger is better, Nemo Concetto combines intelligent design with compact exterior dimensions and interior space. It shows that intelligence is the most important asset, whatever the environment.

Nemo Concetto does not claim to be what it is not. It clearly states its identity with a new take on conventional automotive cues. Resembling a small truck with fun looks, bright colours and unrestrained humour, Nemo Concetto is a rich mix with overwhelming appeal. Like the clown fish, Nemo Concetto has irresistible personality and looks.

Nemo Concetto reflects Citroën’s constantly renewed capacity to design vehicles with character, vehicles that adapt to the lifestyles and world of their owners… like fish in water!

MY SPANKING NEW BIKE

Hi. This is my new 12-inch bike, bought for my 3rd birthday by my lovely dad (he literally persuaded me to write the word 'lovely'). Dad says these bike are the best bets for preschoolers with small inseams of 15 to 20 inches, whatever that means. That was what the shopkeepeer tell him anyway.

My new bike have 12-inch wheels, coaster brakes, a very small frame and come standard with removable training wheels. They also have kid-pleasing features like decorative frills on the handlebars. The best thing is, it also comes with a passenger carrier and a free 'helmet' (but not for me to wear) because it's just a basket for me to put in my Hot Wheels and Maistos collections.

The two tone blue & yellow color is my favourite cause it matches the color of both James Toseland's Yamaha Tech 3 bike (picture below) and my favourite feeding bottle. What's more, it's sturdy enough to be passed to my younger sibling. 12-inch bikes are appropriate for two to four year olds, adds the auntie shopkeepeer at the bike shop.

My next bike.....same livery, plus an engine!

What's Hot: Cute, colorful and lots of fun stickers attached. Free 'helmet'.

What's Not: Not fond of the bike's name 'Puppy'.

*review by Ammar Haziq

2009 FORD KA

The exciting new Ka, Ford’s fresh, fun and funky small car, will take centre-stage at the 2008 Paris Motor Show in October.

The all-new Ford Ka brings new levels of style and enjoyment to affordable city cars.
Twelve years after the original Ka was launched to great acclaim, its successor captures the same youthful and cheeky spirit. The new model retains all of the qualities which made the Ka so popular – its compact size, great looks, lively dynamics and fun personality – but presents them in a fresh new package.

Ford designers have given the new Ka a fashionable, modern appearance based around the company’s ‘kinetic design’ form language. A number of visual cues provide a connection to the original Ka, but with its distinctive face and chunky proportions the new model has its own unique character. The interior of the new Ka also has a stylish, dynamic design, combining bold contrasts and expressive colours which reflect the more adventurous tastes of the typical Ka buyer. The new model is destined to continue the considerable success of the original Ford Ka, which is widely considered to be an automotive design icon. Launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1996, the Ka was immediately praised for its exciting “New Edge” styling and class-leading driving dynamics.

Throughout its 12-year life the Ka has remained tremendously popular among small-car buyers, inspiring fierce loyalty from its owners. In total, Ka production has exceeded 1.4 million vehicles.“We are very excited about the launch of the new Ka”, said Roelant de Waard, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford of Britain. “The original has been a huge hit in the UK with a sales record of over 480,000 – 80 per cent of which have been to retail customers, and many of those first-time buyers. I’m confident that the latest design will prove just as big a hit”, he added.
Further information on the new Ford Ka range will be released in time for the Paris Motor Show in early October 2008.