At 10pm (local time) last night (25th April) a convoy of 17 Alfa Romeo vehicles was flagged off from the Hilton Kuala Lumpur to embark on the 4,500km Angkor Wat - The Siem Reap Expedition a dramatic and challenging tour organised by the AROC Malaysia. The intrepid convoy consists of eight 156s (2.0 Selespeed and 2.5V6 Q-system variants), a lone 159 2.2 Sportwagon, four 164 3.0V6s, a couple of 166 3.0V6s and a pair of Brera 3.2 V6s. These included four vehicles from neighbouring Singapore, who are AROC Singapore members.

The route will take these participants from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia into neighbouring Thailand and eventually to Siem Reap, Cambodia. The actual journey itself commences this morning from the Malaysia/Thailand border which opens at 7am (Malaysian time). The highlight of the event will see these Alfa Romeo vehicles eventually parked at the foothills of the majestic Angkor Wat Grand Temple, acknowledged as one of the leading heritage sites of the world.

Angkor Wat - The Siem Reap Expedition has been organised by the Alfa Romeo Owner’s Club Malaysia (AROCM) which was established in 1993 as a legal entity with the Registrar of Societies of Malaysia. It is also registered with the Sports Commission of Malaysia and recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. AROCM is very active in promoting the nation’s Tourism and Motorsports activities and played a major role in the launching of the Malaysian Motorsports Week during the Inaugural Sepang F1 event in 1999. During that event, AROCM was given the honour by the then Prime Minister as the “Best Motorsports Club” in the country and is still continually supporting these annual motorsports events. Since its inception, AROCM has gained more than 600 members. The Club has excelled in its mission to promote the ownership of Alfa Romeos.

The annual Long Distance Expedition and Adventure had become one of AROCM’s hallmark events. Every year, such expeditions, either within Malaysia or into neighbouring Thailand are eagerly awaited by club members. Apart from the usual seaside resort destinations in Thailand such as Phuket, Koh Samui and Pattaya, the last most gruelling expedition into Thailand was in 2002 which covered approximately 7,000km from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok, Chiengmai, Maehongson (near Myanmar border) to Hua Hin and back to Kuala Lumpur.

The journey from Kuala Lumpur into Thailand itself that awaits the 17 cars taking part in Angkor Wat - The Siem Reap Expedition is no big feat as both Malaysia and Thailand boasts excellent highway infrastructure. However, the real challenge lies in Cambodia. AROCM’s Organizing Committee in January 2007 flew to Siem Reap, Cambodia for a recce trip to establish and determine the logistical feasibility and customary prerequisites of the intended Expedition.
 

 During the recce, they encountered the infamous and notorious stretch from Poipet (Thailand / Cambodia Border) to Siem Reap, dubbed as “The Dancing Road” that spans 150km consisting of unpaved, dusty, rutted and loose gravel road. It is made worse by numerous belly-crunching raised Bailey bridges ranging from 5 – 12 inches above road level that could inflict serious damages to a car’s undercarriage. It was concluded that planks would be required to clear these Bailey bridges. The potential danger to the cars is obvious. Apart from the wheels and suspension components which would take a severe beating, other concerns would be centred at the engine and air/fuel intake system. For example, a loose pebble lodged in the timing belt could cause severe engine damage. The dusty conditions are a challenge to the car’s air intake, air and fuel filtration system which eventually could affect engine performance and reliability. Furthermore, due to the adverse road conditions, the average driving speed would only be 40km/h and travelling that 150km would take around 5 hours. During the monsoon season from July to September, this stretch can be under 1 meter of flooded water.

After careful planning and consideration, AROCM decided to take it as a challenge to pursue this expedition. Under such perilous road conditions, it is conceivable that no other saloon car club in the world has ever travelled this beaten path in convoy before with the exception of the 4x4 Clubs. AROCM is determined to be the first in making motoring history!

The Angkor Wat - The Siem Reap Expedition has a number of objectives. In commemoration of Malaysia’s 50th Independence (“Merdeka”) Celebrations, AROCM has taken a proactive move to implant the spirit of nationalism via the Overland Expedition and Adventure to Thailand and Cambodia. The ultimate destination is the Grand Temple of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap Cambodia. This expedition will also focus on the disciplinary factors while on the roads in convoy, teamwork spirit and provide an avenue to its members to enhance their knowledge on neighbouring countries and in particular, the different way of life.

The tour will also seek to enhance Club fellowship among nations. This event has participants from neighbouring AROC Singapore. The participants will also meet with members of Alfa Club Thailand (ACT) in Pattaya, Thailand on the return leg of their expedition. Thus, Alfisti from three nations will gather to further strengthen relations. This expedition is also a good platform to promote the Visit Malaysia Year 2007; Involvement from the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia was secured. The final objective of the tour will be to prove that Alfa Romeo vehicles and AROCM are able to undertake such expeditions.