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Where Stars meet cars

SINGAPORE — As with any Singapore Motorshow, this year’s exhibition gives you the chance to see the latest and greatest cars.

SINGAPORE — As with any Singapore Motorshow, this year’s exhibition gives you the chance to see the latest and greatest cars.

But there’s an equally good chance of doing some celebrity spotting while you’re at Suntec too, with big names in the entertainment scene planning to make their rounds at the country’s premiere motoring event.

That’s because being famous doesn’t mean you’re immune to the glamour and lure of fast cars and shapely bodywork.

And stars are motorists too, which means they share not just the roads with everyone else, but seemingly, the driving peeves that make us all mad. You’ll be surprised, for instance, by how many of the celebs we spoke to are annoyed by people who don’t signal.

Want to drive Mediacorp CLASS 95FM’s Yasminne Cheng crazy? Take your sweet time parking. And if you feel like getting under Tay Ping Hui’s skin, try crawling along in the fast lane!

Maybe you’ll have the chance to bump into your favourite celebrity at Suntec and swap driving anecdotes, but if not, here’s a quick take on who’s looking forward to what.

TAY PING HUI

Action man Tay Ping Hui’s love for cars isn’t restricted to gawking at them: He’s much more keen to get behind the wheel himself, preferably on a racing circuit.

What kind of driver are you?

It depends on where I am. I’m aggressive and enthusiastic on the road, but safe. There’s a difference between speeding or going fast with recklessness, and going fast but in control. I’d say I’m a fast, aggressive driver, but always safe.

What are your pet driving peeves?

I absolutely hate road hogs. I think they are the ones that cause accidents. They hog the road way below the speed limit, which results in the need for others to overtake, and that’s when accidents happen.

I think the law is way too lenient on road hogs. We have this misconception that as long as you’re going slowly, you are safe. That’s not true. If you’re going too slowly, you’re dangerous and a hazard.

Singapore roads are getting more congested and another lot I don’t appreciate are the ones with no consciousness and alertness on the road, who filter out without signaling. Lastly, the heavy-vehicle drivers who drive way above speed limit and straddle too lanes.

What is your ultimate motoring fantasy?

To participate in a Formula One race where I get proper training, get involved in the diagnostics of the car, basically get involved in a world-class grand prix, and beat everyone! I would like to drive alongside my driving idols like Michael Schumacher (I hope he recovers). I’d love to race him, and beat him.

What are you looking forward to seeing at the Singapore Motorshow 2017?

Launches of new cars, particularly the Audi R8 Spyder. The R8 itself is a phenomenal car; I’ve driven it on the highway and at the Sepang International Circuit. I simply love the way the car is, what it represents and to have a spider version of it, it’s just stoke!

I’m also looking forward to other launches at the show, to see where the future of automobile is going, maybe with some prototypes. I’ll be checking out the new cars’ design and features.

CLAIRE JEDREK

Fresh from a podium finish at the tough final round of the Malaysia Championship Series at Sepang, where she shared driving duties with hubby Yuey Tan to take second place, Claire Jedrek is looking for something to go topless with at the motor show.

What kind of driver are you?

I’m pretty impatient and by-the-book. I love driving, I just wish the roads were more efficient!

What are your pet driving peeves?

I get peeved by people who don’t signal, don’t stay in their lanes and don’t show courtesy on the road — people who don’t let others through and speed up to close a gap when you’re trying to change lanes. And people who drive slow in the fast lane.

What is your ultimate motoring fantasy?

Probably racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, and racing on the Singapore Marina Bay circuit. Something achievable!

What are you looking forward to seeing at the Singapore Motor Show 2017?

High on my priority list would be to check out the Mazda MX 5 Miata RF. This car won numerous awards last year and though I’m not the biggest fan of roadsters, it’s what’s in the car that interests me.

It looks athletic and I love two-door, top-down cars. What’s exciting are the paddle shifters in the automatic model and the short-throw shifter in the manual model which will give it that sports-car edge .

PIERRE PNG

Actor and comedian Pierre Png says he is already living his motoring fantasies, but that won’t stop him from checking out a certain kind of car at Suntec this year.

What kind of driver are you?

I signal when I’m supposed to (even when there isn’t a vehicle behind me). I don’t sit in a yellow-box so that other motorists cannot use it. I switch on my headlights whenever visibility is low or when I’m in a tunnel, and not just so that I can blind the person in front of me! You could say, I’m anal.

What are your pet driving peeves?

I can’t understand why some people buy cars without signal lights!

What is your ultimate motoring fantasy?

I’m living it right now. Driving my new Mazda MX-5 with the top down at night.

What are you looking forward to seeing at the Singapore Motor Show 2017?

I appreciate all types of car, but I’ll be looking out for the 4x4s!

DESMOND TAN

He may be one of the 8 Dukes of Caldecott, but actor Desmond Tan has a fantasy that would pair his licence to drive with a licence to kill.

What kind of driver are you?

I’m an explorer. I love exploring new roads as I travel to my destinations when I am not rushing. Since I was young — when my dad would drive me around — I’ve found satisfaction in completing and filling in the blanks of the road map of Singapore in my mind.

What are your pet driving peeves?

People who don’t use their turn signal. I never understand why some people find it difficult to signal. In my opinion, it’s a matter of respect to other road users as well as their safety.

What is your ultimate motoring fantasy?

I’ve always dreamt about being in a motoring competition, ever since I watched a Jackie Chan film about racing. I enjoy speed and the challenge, and focus. I also fantasise about driving a car that transforms into a speedboat when it dips into water. That completes my fantasy of being a secret agent like James Bond.

What are you looking forward to seeing at the Singapore Motor Show 2017?

Definitely the fancy car tricks by Russ Swift, like spinning the car into a tight parking lot or driving on two wheels. It would be great if I could learn these tricks and perform them at next year’s Motor Show!

YASMINNE CHENG

There’s a good chance you’ve had Class 95FM deejay Yasminne Cheng with you in your car, given how her lunchtime programme is the number one radio show on the airwaves, and how her voice has been used on local GPS navigation systems, but maybe you’ll bump into her in the flesh at Suntec.

What kind of driver are you?

A good one! Hehehe, so thick-skinned, hor? I think I’m a pretty considerate driver, I always give way to vehicles and when someone does the same for me, I always make it a point to say, “thank you”.

What are your pet driving peeves?

How much time do you have? So many things bug me! If you want to cut into another lane and someone gives you way, say, “Thank you.” A little wave to the car behind won’t kill you.

When drivers put on their signal indicators, it is not a signal to speed up and block them from cutting into your lane.

At car parks when you’ve found an empty lot, if there’s a long line of cars behind you, it won’t kill you to just wait by your lot for a bit till the cars have gone past, then park your car, as opposed making a whole line of cars wait for you while you take your time to park. The empty lot isn’t going to disappear. Your car is right in front of it, nobody’s going to take it

If you’re going to drive slowly, there’s nothing wrong with that but don’t drive on the extreme right lane, that is meant for overtaking. Also, if someone has made a mistake on the road and “done you wrong” and has already apologised with a little wave of the hand, there’s no need to slow down alongside and give them a death stare.

What is your ultimate motoring fantasy?

To drive an Audi R8 along Germany’s Autobahn. I think I might pee my pants at the super-duper-duper high speeds.

What are you looking forward to seeing at the Singapore Motor Show 2017?

I am totally looking forward to seeing the latest Audi R8 Spyder that they’re bringing in just for the Motor Show. It’s Audi’s fastest open top supercar that isn’t currently available here in Southeast Asia, a super sexy beast on the roads!

ELVIN NG

Actor and model Elvin Ng says he has already lived his ultimate motoring fantasy in a Mercedes, but that won’t stop him from checking out what else the brand has to offer at the Singapore Motor Show this year.

What kind of driver are you?

I’d like to think of myself as a quick and decisive driver.

What are your pet driving peeves?

I cannot understand why some people refuse to signal when changing lanes. It totally puts me off. It’s a basic responsibility to other road users so they can react to you and not be a road hazard to others.

What is your ultimate motoring fantasy?

In fact, I’ve done that already on the Mercedes defensive driving experience as I could try all the exciting car models in various extreme situations, but in a safe and controlled environment. It would be even better if I could be driven around a circuit by one of the Mercedes F1 drivers someday.

What are you looking forward to seeing at the Singapore Motor Show 2017?

Sleek and avant-garde machines that are beautifully streamlined. Especially the new range of Mercedes-Benz models, which are revolutionary and youth-oriented.

JAMIE YEO

She might be petite, but Class 95FM deejay Jamie Yeo sure has the confidence and game to tackle a tight parallel parking lot when needed.

What kind of driver are you?

I’d like to think I’m a really good driver. I can parallel park on the first try when needed and I can get to places efficiently without using excessive fuel.

What are your pet driving peeves?

Definitely people who drive way below the speed limit in the extreme right lane — which is when accidents happen. Also, I simply don’t get drivers who brake abruptly — another cause of accidents right there. Lastly, another thing that gets to me each and every time, is when a row of cars clog one right-turn lane when there are three lanes turning right. Something needs to be done about that!

What is your ultimate motoring fantasy?

I’d like to one day take a drive through America. I’ve only ever been on a road trip there when my father drove us around when we were much younger. But I’d like to do the driving this time round!

What are you looking forward to seeing at the Singapore Motor Show 2017?

I’ll be looking out for the Audi R8 Spyder. Can’t get any more exciting than that!

Jesseca Liu

Actor Jesseca Liu knows what she likes, and if it happens to be a particular song, you may be in for an entertaining journey.

What kind of driver are you?

I would say I am sort of a “free” style driver because I enjoy personal space in the car. Before I drive off, I pair my mobile phone with the car’s audio system and repeatedly listen to a few of my favourite songs. Sometimes, it drives my passengers crazy because I tend to play a certain song which I really love repeatedly!

What are your pet driving peeves?

I always keep a safe distance to the car in front of me, so I really dislike drivers who tailgate and flash their lights, which is irritating and inconsiderate at times.

What is your ultimate motoring fantasy?

I would always imagine that cars can fly in the air. The car can automatically send you to your desitination at the push of a button so I’ll be free to do whatever I want to in the car!

What are you looking forward to seeing at the Singapore Motorshow 2017?

I understand Mazda will be previewing some exciting new models at the car show ... like the CX-9 2.5T 7 seater. Also, I cannot wait to check out the new MX-5 RF (Retractable Fastback)!

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