Bugis Ferrari Fatal Accident

The coffin of Ma Chi, the Ferrari driver who was involved in Saturday's three-vehicle pile-up, arriving at Mandai Crematorium on Monday afternoon. (Yahoo! photo/Elizabeth Soh)

Relatives and friends of deceased Ferrari driver Ma Chi, who was involved in a three-vehicle pile-up on Saturday, gathered for his cremation at Mandai Crematorium on Monday afternoon.

About 18 people, including Ma’s younger brother, attended the cremation. Visibly absent were Ma’s pregnant wife as well as his mother, although both were at Ma’s wake at Mount Vernon earlier in the afternoon.

According to Chinese customs, an elderly person should not show respect to someone younger and, similarly, it is considered bad luck for Ma’s pregnant wife to attend his cremation.

Ma, a financial advisor from Sichuan, was behind the wheel of a red Ferrari on early Saturday morning when it slammed against a taxi, which subsequently cut into the lane of a passing motorcycle at the intersection of Rochor Road and Victoria Street in Bugis.

The three-vehicle accident killed two others -- taxi driver Cheng Teck Hock and his passenger, believed to be a 20-something Japanese woman.

A young woman reportedly from China was with Ma in the Ferrari during the crash and she suffered head injuries and fractured her right leg.

According to AsiaOne, Ting Ting, 28, Ma’s wife, was surprised when reporters asked her about the identity of the female passenger.

Motorcyclist Muhammad Najib Ghazali escaped with a spine injury, dislocated right arm and a rib fracture.

Ma's younger brother (in white) walking out after the cremation (Yahoo! photo)



Friends of Ma reportedly flew in from China on Monday morning just to attend the cremation, which lasted less than an hour.

Most of them appeared well-heeled and sported branded bags and stylish clothes. Ma’s bespectacled and small-built brother who looked to be in his 20s was seen with an unshaven face and shoulder-length hair.

When contacted by Yahoo! Singapore, the undertaker in charge of Ma’s funeral processions was not sure whether the family’s planned to have Ma’s ashes sent back to China. He added that the family is still mourning and has not made a decision yet.

Ma’s relatives and friends refused to speak to the media.

According to The Sunday Times, Ma had relocated to Singapore with his wife and child four years ago and was said to be applying for permanent residency in the city-state.

It is not known whether his family will continue staying in Singapore.

SOURCE

Biggest traffic news in Singapore for the past two week. Many condemn the irresponsible attitude of the Ferrari driver, Ma Chi, for dashing through a red light, killing himself and two other innocent victims. That car, by the way, is a S$1.3m Ferrari 599 GTO.

Please drive responsibly. Having so much power in your foot doesn't give you the right to abuse it. If you want to speed, please do it in the racetrack

RIP to the innocent deceased.

SIA's voluntary no pay leave

Singapore Airlines said it had asked its pilots to volunteer for unpaid leave for up to two years as it struggles with a slowdown in the aviation sector.

SIA's offer to pilots below the rank of captain comes after it last month said profits had fallen by more than half in the final quarter of 2011 due to rising fuel costs, and weakening passenger and cargo demand from Europe.

The call, which will allow the pilots to join SIA's rivals, was made to "help address a temporary surplus of senior first officers, first officers, second officers and cadet pilots," spokesman Nicholas Ionides told AFP on Friday.

He stated that SIA was "not able to provide specific targets for how many pilots may take up the offer" as it was a voluntary scheme.

Despite the move, Ionides said SIA has no plans to reduce flights and downsize its operating fleet in the near term.

The announcement comes as the global industry is hit by soaring fuel prices and low demand.

The International Air Transport Association in November cut its forecast for the sector's profits this year by a quarter to $3.5 billion, but warned of losses of more than $8 billion if the global economy suffers another downturn.

SIA announced net profit plunged 53 percent year on year to Sg$135.2 million in the October-December quarter, while it said last week it would raise fuel surcharges by up to $28.

About half of SIA's 2,335 pilots were not of captain rank as of 31 March last year, SIA's 2010/2011 annual report stated.

"To the question of why we are offering the scheme, the global financial crisis in 2009-10 was a factor and resulted in some excess capacity at the time. Growth was also slower than anticipated after that," Ionides added.

"We view the resultant surplus pilot situation as temporary, and are therefore managing this by introducing the voluntary scheme."

SIA did not halt pilot recruitment and training during the financial crisis as it takes three years to train a first officer, resulting in the current pilot surplus as the aviation sector struggled to take off, Ionides said.

Pilots who take up the offer will be allowed to work for other airlines, including SIA's long-haul budget carrier arm Scoot, which will begin flying by the middle of this year. SIA also owns almost 33 percent of budget carrier Tiger Airways.

"Should there be positions available at Scoot, pilots on voluntary no-pay leave may apply for them," he said.

However, if the pilots were to join a rival carrier they could find themselves starting at the bottom of the ladder while the fact they would only be available for two years at most might work against them.

Captain P. James, president of the Airline Pilots Association Singapore, questioned why pilots were being asked to go on leave when there's a need for them in other airlines with the SIA Group.

"We can understand that there's a downturn but what we cannot understand and cannot accept is why pilots are being asked to go on leave where there's a need for them in other airlines within the group," James told the Straits Times.

SIA shares were slightly down in early trade, shedding 0.37 percent to Sg$10.85 as of 0215 GMT.

-- Dow Jones Newswires contributed to this story --

SOURCE

VOLUNTARY NO PAY LEAVE (VNPL) FOR SENIOR FIRST OFFICERS, FIRST OFFICERS, SECOND OFFICERS AND CADET PILOTS

The capacity cuts during the 2009-2010 economic downturn and the persistent weak market conditions thereafter have resulted in a pilot surplus situation, especially with regard to First Officers. Even though we reduced Cadet Pilot recruitment when the economic downturn occurred, we had to carry the surplus Cadet Pilots who were recruited earlier, as Cadet Pilots are recruited on a 3-year lead-time basis. The VNPL scheme will allow staff to take leave for personal reasons and also help the Company manage excess manpower.

2 The voluntary no-pay leave scheme is now being offered as a means to ameliorate the excess crew situation. The situation of excess First Officers is particularly acute on the B777 fleet. The scheme is open for application from now to 31 March 2012.

3 The VNPL shall be for a continuous period of 1 week up to 2 years.

4 The conditions for the VNPL are in Annex 1 and the FAQs are in Annex 2.

5 Those who wish to apply may submit their requests via e-mail, as follows:
Senior First Officers/First Officers :
Second Officers :
Cadets :

6 Applications submitted after 31 March 2012 would not qualify for the
VNPL benefits, and would be treated as normal no-pay leave.

7 Dialogue sessions have been planned to address any queries you may have.
The date and venue will be posted on Waves.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------

VOLUNTARY NO PAY LEAVE (VNPL) FOR SENIOR FIRST OFFICERS, FIRST OFFICERS, SECOND OFFICERS AND CADET PILOTS

The following conditions will apply under the scheme:

1. APPLICATION WINDOW
This Voluntary No Pay Leave scheme is open for applications from now till 31 March 2012.

2. DURATION OF NO PAY LEAVE
The no pay leave shall be for a continuous period of 1 week up to 2 years.

3. ELIGIBILITY
This Voluntary No Pay scheme is open for applications from Senior First Officers, First Officers, Second Officers and Cadet Pilots. Applications will be subject to approval, taking into account operational requirements and, for Second Officers, your stage of training.

4. CLEARING OF ANNUAL LEAVE
The employee should clear any annual leave earned up to the start of his no pay leave period.

5. EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE THE COMPANY
Employment outside of the Company is permitted subject to the prior written approval of the Company.

6. SUSPENSION OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
The employee shall not enjoy any of his current terms and conditions of service during the no pay leave period. The following exceptions would however be granted:
(i) The employee will be allowed to avail himself of concessional travel during the period of no pay leave. In addition, he will be allowed to use any privilege ticket, which has been earned but not yet used, provided it is used within its validity period.
(ii) Outpatient medical and dental benefits under the Company’s scheme will apply if the aggregate of your no pay leave is less than 30 calendar days per year. If the aggregate of your no pay leave is 30 calendar days or more in a year, the outpatient medical and dental benefits will only apply for the first aggregate of less than 30 calendar days.

7. PAYMENT OF SERVICE INCREMENT, BONUS (IF ANY), ANNUAL WAGE SUPPLEMENT, LEAVE ENTITLEMENT, ETC
The period of no pay leave will not be counted for any payments or leave entitlements if the aggregate of no pay leave taken adds up to 30 calendar days or more in a year.

8. MONTHLY FIXED ALLOWANCES
All monthly fixed allowances (as applicable) shall be pro-rated to take into account the period of no pay leave.

9. LENGTH OF SERVICE
No pay leave in the aggregate of 30 calendar days or more in a year will not count towards service with the Company.

10. INCOME TAX CLEARANCE (FOR NON-SINGAPOREANS)
If your no pay leave period is more than 3 months, the Company will withhold payment of monies due to you for the month prior to the commencement of your no pay leave until you have obtained tax clearance from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). Payrolls Department will therefore be submitting the IR21 form to IRAS for your tax clearance one month prior to the No Pay Leave period. Should you have any queries, please contact Payrolls Department.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A What is the reason for implementing VNPL?
�� The capacity cuts during the 2009-2010 economic downturn and the persistent weak market conditions thereafter have resulted in a pilot surplus situation, especially with regard to First Officers. Even though we reduced Cadet Pilot recruitment when the economic downturn occurred, we had to carry the surplus Cadet Pilots who were recruited earlier, as Cadet Pilots are recruited on a 3-year lead-time basis. The VNPL scheme will allow staff to take leave for personal reasons and also help the Company manage excess manpower.

B Can I apply for VNPL in blocks of say 1 week per occasion over a period of 3 or 4 months, or in some other combination, rather than a full stretch?
�� Yes you can do so, subject to approval.

C How do I apply for the VNPL?
��

D How do I apply for alternative employment while on VNPL?

�� If you wish to take up outside employment during VNPL, whether part-time or full-time, please send an email to your Chief Pilot, copied toFLT_HRA@singaporeair.com.sg stating the following:

o Your Staff Number.
o Your name.
o The alternative employer’s company name.
o The alternative employer’s nature of business.
o The job/title/position you will hold in the other company.
o Your duties in the other company.
o The period of the alternative employment (from and to dates).
�� You will be informed by DSD (Crew HR Admin) if your application is approved.

E What are the general guidelines on the approval of alternative employment during VNPL?
�� Factors of whether there will be a conflict of interest will be taken into account.

F Will there be conflict of interest if I work for another airline?
�� The Company will assess your job duties to determine whether there is conflict of interest.

G If I take up alternative employment with another airline, the minimum engagement period may be 3 years.
This exceeds the 2-year maximum period stated in the VNPL Terms & Conditions. Will my VNPL application for 3 years be approved?
�� For as long as manpower strength continues to be surplus to operational needs, applications for a 3-year VNPL period will be considered favourably for this purpose on a case by case basis.

H If I take up alternative employment with another airline, will my flying hours and sectors be recognised?
�� Yes, your hours and sectors will be recognised up to the maximum limits stated in the CAM for flying experience outside SIA as follows:
o Hours - maximum limit of 230 light aircraft hours, and 2,500 hours on aircraft exceeding 5,700 kg. all-up weight.
o Sectors - maximum limit of 500 sectors and 165 P1 U/S sectors on aircraft exceeding 5,700 kg. all-up weight.

I If I take up alternative employment with another airline, will my seniority be affected and will my VNPL period count towards years of service with SIA?
�� Your seniority in the company will not be affected. However, your VNPL period will not count towards years of service with SIA, and therefore all benefits and payments based on years of service will be pro-rated, such as Service Increment, Bonus, AWS, leave entitlements, etc.

J If I take up alternative employment with another airline, will my VNPL period count towards service of my bond period?
�� Yes, the VNPL period will count towards service of the bond period. For example, for a pilot who has served 5 years of a 7-year bond before going on a 3-year VNPL period, the bond will be considered fully served upon return from VNPL.

K Will my Cadet Pilot Training Repayment Sum be waived if I go on VNPL?
�� No, it will not be waived. The Company will work with you towards the payment details.

L If I take up alternative employment with another airline, how will my performance during my VNPL be taken into consideration by SIA?
�� We will need to assess your performance based on existing SIA criteria, for both fields of technical competence and personal qualities, upon your return from VNPL. Criteria specifically for this purpose have yet to be developed but it will be formulated so as to make a suitable assessment of your performance.

M Can First Officers from all fleets apply?
�� Yes, but each application will be treated on a case-by-case basis, subject to individual fleet requirements. The current large excess of crew is predominately on the B777 fleet.

N Will the Company recall me while I am on VNPL, if the business picks up and additional manning is required?
�� If the Company requires you to come back before the end of the VNPL period, it will be on a basis of mutual agreement.

O If I am on VNPL and I am not able to respond to the early recall by the Company due to personal reasons (e.g. half way through a training course), will the company terminate my employment?
�� No, the company will not terminate your employment during VNPL.

P Will I be allowed to extend the VNPL beyond the 2 years period and if so, will it be on the same terms and conditions of current VNPL?
�� Extension beyond 2 years will normally not be permitted but if there are any unique circumstances, they can be considered separately.

Q Will I be allowed to cut short the VNPL and return to work before my originally approved VNPL end-date?
�� This will be assessed based on operational requirements.

R Will my dependents continue to be covered under the QBE dependents medical scheme while I am on VNPL?
�� You will continue to be covered by the QBE medical insurance scheme until the end of the medical insurance policy year. The annual QBE medical insurance policy year ends on 31 Aug 2012. Staff on VNPL may, if they so wish, renew their policy by paying the full premium charged by QBE to continue their insurance from 1 Sep 2012. When they subsequently return to work on completion of their VNPL, the Company will re-commence its subsidy of the premium from the date of their return to work.

S Will I continue to be covered under the Group Term Life Scheme and Personal Accident Insurance while I am on VNPL?
�� No. The GTLS and Personal Accident Insurance will be suspended for the period of the VNPL.

T Will I continue to be covered under the Loss of License Insurance while I am on VNPL?
�� No. The LOL Insurance will be suspended for the period of the VNPL.

U Must I surrender my Staff ID and SQ e-portal token before going on VNPL?
�� Yes, if your VNPL exceeds 3 months.

V How can I make use of the employee medical and dental benefits that I’m eligible for during the first 29 days of my VNPL if I do not have my Staff ID?
�� If your VNPL exceeds 3 months or more, you will be issued a Letter of Guarantee (in view that your staff ID will be returned to the Company), which you can use to identify yourself as an employee of Singapore Airlines at any SIA-appointed clinic. The Letter of Guarantee will cover you for the first 29 days of your VNPL.

W Without my SQ e-portal token, how do I apply for Staff Travel tickets while on VNPL?
�� Please email staff_travel@singaporeair.com.sg with the following information:
o Your staff number.
o Your name.
o Indicate that you are on VNPL.
o Indicate your seat bookings and ticketing needs.

X Will my paid childcare leave be pro-rated if my VNPL is approved?
�� If you are eligible for paid childcare leave, it will be pro-rated if your aggregated NPL for the calendar year is 30 or more days.

This isn't the first time SIA has done this. Question is, what if no one volunteers? What will they resort to doing? Just a few weeks ago, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew was talking up about aviation in Singapore, but it seems to be otherwise with the case of SIA.

Cadets and S/Os will feel the most vulnerable while F/Os will not want to stop working when they're getting paid fairly well for the job. Joining a rival airline like Jetstar Asia will be an option, but how many are willing to do it voluntarily?

SAAB's story

Thanks to Top Gear, we can have a better understanding of why SAAB ran into bankruptcy. So from now on, SAAB drivers will opt for the BMW 5series?

Proposed lemon law will cover defects in both new and used cars

Flaws in cars covered by the proposed lemon law can range from serious safety-related ones such as stalling and loss of power steering to minor ones such as noise, vibration and cosmetic defects.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry, which is putting the law before Parliament, says it does not matter whether the vehicle was manufactured three years ago and had been lying in the yard before it was sold.

As long as a defect is detected within six months of delivery, it is assumed to be inherent, and it is up to the retailer to prove otherwise. The law, which is expected to kick in come September, covers used vehicles as well as new ones.

Motor Traders Association president Cheah Kim Teck said the changes should not worry reputable companies which already have best practices in place.

SOURCE

What do you think? As a consumer, you will be rejoicing for such a move. You feel more assured with such a law protecting you from dirty car dealers who sell lemons to ignorant car buyers. However, very much waits to be seen on how such a law can be enforced. If it can't be done effectively, it will be of not much use.

Supercar Wedding

A wedding that is filled with various supercars. Will we see this in Singapore?

Worst breakdown in 24yrs' history

SINGAPORE: Train services between Ang Mo Kio and Marina Bay stations were disrupted Saturday morning, in the third service breakdown this week for Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT).

In its latest update at 1.18 pm, SMRT said the southbound train service between Toa Payoh and Raffles Place stations is now available.

The service between Raffles Place and Marina Bay stations is not available.

The northbound train service between Raffles Place and Jurong East stations is available.

The train service between Raffles Place and Toa Payoh stations are running but not at a normal frequency.

A bus bridging service is available between Ang Mo Kio and Bishan, Ang Mo Kio and Raffles Place, as well as Marina Bay and City Hall stations.

Passengers on the affected stretches are advised to use alternative transport or take the bus bridging service.

They should also commute using the Circle Line, which has been running at a three-minute frequency since 8.40 am to cater to the influx of passengers.

Calls to Channel NewsAsia on Saturday's service disruption started coming in at about 7.00 am.

One caller, Jeannie said that at about 6.50 am, she and other passengers who were in a train near City Hall MRT were asked to evacuate the train and had to walk along the tunnel after "the doors got stuck".

Another caller said at 7.21 am that when service on the North-South Line broke down towards Marina Bay, an announcement was made about the breakdown but no reason was given.

On Wednesday, parts of the Circle Line were affected by a technical glitch during morning peak hours.

A day later, a service breakdown on the North-South Line caused commuter chaos during evening peak hours.

Callers told Channel NewsAsia on Saturday that they saw the SMS alert to taxi drivers informing them of the breakdown.

One caller said the alert was more "diplomatic", stating "FYI: train breakdown both directions".

She was referring to a similar message sent on Thursday night to inform SMRT drivers of an "income opportunity" following the train disruption.

The message was posted online by a passenger and went viral instantly, drawing heavy criticism.

SMRT had admitted that the alert was "insensitive" and a "very bad mistake".

The breakdown came a day after SMRT CEO Saw Phaik Hwa apologised for Thursday's glitch which affected 127,000 passengers, including 1,000 trapped in each of the four stalled trains.

It was the worst breakdown in 24 years.

- CNA/cc

SOURCE

With the COE at an all time skyhigh amount, taxi companies raising their fares unanimously, even Singapore's railway system is showing signs instability now. Bus services remain undependable and slow. So what is the best way of commuting around here? Hong Kong is able to privatise public transport with desirable effects, but in Singapore, the opposite happens.

What went wrong really?

Saab files for bankruptcy

STOCKHOLM: Saab Automobile filed for bankruptcy on Monday, bringing to an end two years of efforts to rescue the iconic brand which has been the hallmark of Swedish cars for six decades.

The final desperate attempts to raise funds in China were frustrated by Saab's former owner General Motors which still holds key licences.

Saab's owner Swedish Automobile said in a statement that "the company without further funding will be insolvent and that filing bankruptcy is in the best interests of its creditors.

"It is expected that the court will approve of the filing and appoint receivers for Saab Automobile very shortly."

The court approved the filing several hours later and appointed receivers for Saab Automobile.

Swedish Automobile's charismatic chief executive Victor Muller had been due in court on Monday to determine whether to lift or extend the three-month bankruptcy protection Saab had been placed under while it was attempting to negotiate a rescue deal.

Muller had struggled to clinch an agreement in recent months with two Chinese groups, carmaker Youngman and car distribution company Pang Da.

But GM repeatedly said it would refuse to agree to the necessary technology licence transfers to the Chinese firms and Pang Da pulled out of the negotiations a few weeks ago.

GM owns the rights to Saab's models 9-3, 9-5 and 9-4X.

As recently as this weekend, GM reiterated its opposition to any deal with a Chinese suitor, a statement seen as the death knell for Saab.

"Each proposal results either directly or indirectly in the transfer of control and/or ownership of the company in a manner that would be detrimental to GM and its shareholders. As such, GM cannot support any of these proposed alternatives," GM spokesman James Cain said.

Swedish Automobile said Youngman pulled following Cain's remarks.

"In the end the complete lack of cooperation from GM was a big problem," Muller told a press conference at Saab's main plant in Trollhaettan, Sweden, adding that he had lost some 13 million euros of his own money in Saab.

He said, however "there are parties out there that have expressed an interest in Saab.

"Although this may seem like the end, it may not necessarily be so. There could be a new beginning, a possibility for Saab to rise like a phoenix out of the ashes," he added.

The attempts to sell Saab to Chinese partners were seen as the last chance of saving the carmaker, which was already on the brink of bankruptcy when GM sold it to Swedish Automobile - at the time called Spyker - in early 2010 for $400 million (308 million euros).

It has been a rocky road since then.

Saab - which began life in 1937 as an aircraft manufacturer, something which became evident in the aerodynamic, sporty shape of its first concept car designs -- was forced to halt production in April as suppliers stopped deliveries over mountains of unpaid bills.

Its funds ultimately ran out and Saab's 3,700 employees did not receive their November paychecks.

Employees and union officials were dejected after Monday's news.

"It's so sad," Ulf Drufva, who has worked at the Trollhaettan plant for 39 years, told Swedish news agency TT.

He said GM's blocking of the Chinese deal was "strange."

"It's as if GM sees Saab as a threat. And I can't understand that, as small as we are."

The head of the IF Metall union, Stefan Loefven, said bankruptcy was a tragedy for the employees and voiced hope that a buyer would save Saab intact.

"A scenario where the company is divided up is much worse and a lot more jobs risk being lost," he told TT.

The head of Trollhaettan city council, Paul Aakerlund, who was formerly the head union representative of Saab's branch of IF Metall, said there was still hope for the town's carmaking future.

"I know there are parties who want to buy all of Saab and run the business in Trollhaettan."

Others were less optimistic.

"I would be very surprised if anyone wanted to take over Saab," Lars Holmqvist, the chief executive of the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, told TT.

- AFP/ir/ms/de

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The end of the road for the Swedish car maker? There aren't many Saabs currently running in Singapore, well at least not as many as the Volvos I reckon, considering they come from the same country. Well it makes you wonder why. It has class, it has pedigree and it has good safety standards. Poor marketing? Overpriced?

Vans as personal transport?

Some Singaporeans turn to vans as car prices soar

By Christopher Tan

When businessman Solomon Tang, 37, was shopping for a compact runabout for his mother-in-law recently, he bought a Renault Kangoo van.

It may not be the last word in sleekness, but at around $70,000 brand new, the 1.5-litre diesel van was far cheaper than some of the cheapest passenger cars. An entry-level Toyota sedan, the Vios 1.5, for instance, costs $100,000.

Mr Tang said of the van: 'It's more practical than a car. And it runs on diesel, so you save quite a lot.'

THE PRICE ATTRACTION

• A brand new Renault Kangoo costs around $70,000. An entry-level sedan like the Toyota Vios 1.5, in comparison, costs $100,000
• A 2.5-litre turbo-diesel Navara double-cab pick-up, which seats five adults comfortably, costs slightly over $100,000
• A 2006 Avery, a 660cc petrol van, sells for $25,000 to $28,000

THE MINUSES

• Commercial vehicles have low scrap value
• They have a 70kmh speed limit
• They have higher insurance premiums - $1,500 for a mature driver with a 50 per cent no-claims bonus, compared to $1,000 for a mid-size car
• Installing a sofa seat in the rear is illegal

With cars at near record prices - thanks to a limited supply of certificates of entitlement - buyers have begun looking at cheaper options.


SOURCE

Your thoughts? A van is cheaper, but not any cheaper. Latest COE of the commercial category is S$40,000. Crazy much? And in comfort sense, a van loses out to a normal 4-door saloon car, with only the front of the van with seats whilst the back is theoretically speaking, for goods.

At the end of the day, it's every Singaporean's dream to own personal transport. Is it yours too?

NFS: The Run

One more day to the yearly renewal of the Need For Speed series. Are you looking forward to it?

$182 for a Lambo ride?

Experience the adrenaline rush of driving a supercar or riding a Harley-Davidson at a lower price tag

By Natasha Ann Zachariah

It is not the destination but the journey that matters, as the famous saying goes. And two companies here are taking it to heart by providing luxury rides in supercars and on Harley-Davidson motorbikes at relatively easy-on-the-pocket prices.

Ultimate Drive is one such company that gives fans of luxury sportscars a chance to play pretend. It offers customers either a Ferrari F430 F1 Spider or a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder and they can opt to drive the car themselves or be driven in it. The fully automatic cars come with an F1-style, paddle gearbox, which is semiautomatic.

Frenchman Marc Griot, 49, who owns the company, says it costs about $4,000 a day to rent a Lamborghini from regular car rental shops.

But at Ultimate Drive, which started offering rides in December last year, customers can opt for a 15-minute ride, with a driver, for $182.40. And some happily shell out $588 to self-drive around the Formula One circuit and expressway for one hour.

SOURCE

$182.40 for a 15-minute chauffeured ride or a $588 1-hour self drive around Marina Bay Circuit and the expressway. Worth it? For a moment of thrill, I'd say GO FOR IT~!