A1 Team Malaysia is bringing its fans even closer to the team with the launch of its new simulator. The replica carbon fibre chassis, liveried with the team’s identity, will be reaching out to fans all around Malaysia through programmes with the team’s commercial partners.

The speed, thrills and excitement of racing in an A1GP car can be experienced by the team’s fans from the comfort of the cockpit of the car at a promotional event. With authentic racing safety-belts and a genuine racing seat tailored for the team, fans are given a taste of the driver’s environment. The realistic computer game graphics, with a responsive steering wheel, and sensitive brake and accelerator pedals combine to provide simulator drivers with a chance to put their driving skills to the test in a safe, fun race car.

The A1 Team Malaysia simulator made its debut last weekend at the Star Education Fair 09 at the Kuala Lumpur Exhibition Centre as part of the exhibition on the TOC (The Otomotif College) stand. The simulator proved to be highly popular with stand visitors, with over 200 fans sampling a lap of the Sepang circuit. A1 Team Malaysia driver, Aaron Lim, set the pace, but his competitors were unable to match his performance at the Malaysian track!

Lim said of the team’s new vehicle, “This is an excellent way to share the excitement and challenge of driving an A1GP car with our fans and partners. The experience is very close to reality, but without the extreme G-forces that we are subjected to, or the highly responsive braking capabilities of the car with its carbon brakes. It’s a very good way to provide an understanding of the expertise and skill you need to be a top-level driver. I think we’re going to give lots of people a unique experience with this simulator and it’s definitely a show-stopper, as we saw last week on its debut.”

The simulator will be touring Malaysia with a busy schedule of appearances on behalf of the team’s commercial partners. This week it heads to Universiti Industri on behalf of PLUS Expressways and then to the JobStreet MCTF 09 career fair at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre for the weekend.

Owen Leed, Commercial Director, A1 Team Malaysia says of the new simulator, “We are always looking at ways to offer added value to our commercial partners and this is an ideal promotional “vehicle” for them. It brings all the excitement of racing to the fans and allows them to sample driving a racing car without any risk. I know it will be in great demand for appearances and will prove to be a big hit with partners and fans alike.”

The A1 Team Malaysia simulator will be staying in the team’s home country while the real race car will be travelling to New Zealand for the next round of the A1GP series taking place in Taupo, in two weeks time.