Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 20 November 2008 – The A1 Team Malaysia drivers will take a ride in a high speed race car this weekend at the Sepang circuit, but today the pace was slower with rides on elephants for Fairuz Fauzy and Aaron Lim.
The Malaysian drivers visited the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary in the State of Pahang with a group of A1GP drivers as part of the promotional activities in the lead up to the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport round at Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur. The drivers from France, Portugal, New Zealand, Indonesia, Lebanon, and India enjoyed feeding the elephants and taking a ride on them, as well as being treated to a colourful display of cultural dance at this National Elephant Conservation Centre.
The excellent hospitality of the Elephant Sanctuary was matched by the efforts of the Tourism Malaysia Wildlife department, with everyone giving a very warm welcome to the A1GP drivers.
Fairuz Fauzy said of his visit to Kuala Gandah, “I’ve never been so close to an elephant before so it was a new and very exciting experience for me. The work of the Sanctuary is very important for wildlife conservation and for the wild elephant population. The event that Tourism Malaysia, the Sate of Pahang and the Sanctuary put on for us today was excellent. I was very proud to be able to share the rich culture and warm hospitality of Malaysia with my rival drivers from other nations.”
The Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre, popularly referred to as the Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary, is located within the bio diversified-rich and protected Krau Game Reserve and was set up in 1989 under the DWNP (Department of Wildlife & National Parks, Malaysia) manned by the Elephant Capture & Translocation Unit.
The drivers will return to a more familiar mode of transport tomorrow with the opening day of the A1GP Sepang event. Aaron Lim will take part in the morning rookie session with Fairuz Fauzy taking over the driving duties in the afternoon. Follow the team’s progress at www.a1teammalaysia.com.my
