Johnnie Walker Pit Crew Experience: The Real Taste Of Formula One

Johnnie Walker is offering Malaysians the once-a-lifetime opportunity to step inside the Black Circuit and experience the exclusive and high pressure world of motor racing with the Johnnie Walker Pit Crew Experience that will take place at the Sepang International Circuit, home of the Malaysian Formula 1™ Grand Prix on August 27-28.

To get a taste of the fast paced and high profile world of Formula One, Malaysians must first participate in a virtual pit crew challenge online (www.apps.facebook.com/jwpitcrew). Those who complete the challenge in the top 24 fastest times will be invited to be part of the Johnnie Walker Pit Crew Experience.

I tried out the game myself and it was pretty fun in the beginning but got very challenging towards to end as gamers became more competitive!

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I was up as early as 6am on Friday (27 August 2010) to catch the 7am shuttle to take me to the Sepang tracks. It was a long one hour drive from town, but at least I managed to catch up on some sleep.

Being at Sepang again took me back to 2007 where I was one of ten Redbull Formula One Una girls chosen to experience celebrity treatment, meet the F1 drivers, be invited to exclusive parties and of course, VIP passes to see the F1 race. Each race see 10 girls selected to represent their country or region. To be in with a chance of being selected from the many applicants, the girls have to demonstrate their wit, intelligence, and of course, beauty.

Definitely another one of the best experiences in my life!

Winning a race does not only depend on a skilled driver but also the help of his team members who handle all the time-crucial pit stops and ensuring the safety of the driver and team while observing the sporting and technical regulations.

Team members were given 30 minutes to familiarize themselves with all the equipment and surroundings at the garage, ensure the optimum set-up of the car for the free practice, manage the qualifying efficiently, be fully prepared for the race from fuel requirements to pit stop strategy, handle all pit stops effectively and the final garage pack-up.

There were 2 teams for each race and 2 rounds of races each day (Friday & Saturday), which was split into the morning and afternoon session.

Supporting Team 2 (Charles' Team)!

Lucky Charles got to be a pit crew member as he is the brand manager of Johnnie Walker Malaysia.

Popular Malaysian celebrities, Reshmonu, Henry Golding, Chermaine Poo and Megan Tan who are also Formula One fans will undergo the Johnnie Walker Pit Crew Experience with the chosen 24 Facebook winners.

The Pit Crew Experience will show consumers that even in the world’s most stylish and glamorous sport staying in control, precision, passion and teamwork are paramount.  This will serve as a reminder to partygoers to live life responsibly – take public transport or nominate a designated driver.

I love how our outfits are so coordinated even though we didn't plan on it!

Mark Manderson, the race driver for Team 2.

It’s important to stay hydrated on the tracks! See umbrella in the back? That’s for the driver to prevent a heatstroke. It was desert-hot out there and they must have been boiling in that race suit!

Besides watching what goes on in the pit, there were other activities you could do at the Pit Crew Experience such as go-karting, Wii games and enjoying the scrumptious buffet.

Although I didn't manage to win a position as a pit crew member, I’ve learnt so much from just being behind-the-scenes. It certainly takes a good deal of effort and teamwork between team members and the race driver. I had better appreciation for the sport and became a bigger fan of the brand that gave me the chance to learn from this experience.