Rubbing shoulders with racing icon

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WHEN the invitation to go for a ride with two-time world champion Mika Häkkinen came, I did not exactly jump for joy.

Instead, I took the chance to ponder on an important point that drinking and driving do not really agree with each other.

Over the past three years, Häkkinen has been serving as the Johnnie Walker Global Responsible Drinking ambassador in his bid to create the awareness and garner support from the public to join the campaign.

Strapped in: Häkkinen (left) ready to take the writer for a spin

The Flying Finn was in town as the first stop in the Asia region this season to drive home the simple “Never Drink and Drive” message.

And it was an up-close-and-personal outing rubbing shoulders with the former world champion in the two-seater that could reach over 330km/h when he was assigned to entertain selected guests of the “Join The Pact Supercar” programme for a rare treat around the half track at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) on Sunday.

As the clear-headed designated driver, Häkkinen clearly demonstrated his class in reinforcing the importance of being in total control behind the wheel as he offered to take his passengers around the wide technical track.

“It is funny seeing them with various expressions on their faces and different emotions. But we have been receiving great reactions and it is important that they come out from it feeling good,” said Häkkinen, who captured the world crown back-to-back in 1998 and 1999.

I was very calm and sober when heading to the track.

But the excitement mounted when I got into the racing overalls.

Having put on the gloves and helmet, the smell of burning rubber from the tyres indicated better things ahead.

After the pit crew strapped me into a tight-fit spot in the passenger seat next to the racing icon, the machine roared.

And Häkkinen flaunted the trademark acceleration revving technique to take it off the block for the surge forward into the first corner.

Feeling the breeze blowing underneath also provided the cooling effect.

It was a thrilling two-lap stint with Häkkinen; feeling the rocking motions as he negotiated the corners with his skilful entry and smooth exit bringing us to the next segment of the track.

His aptitude in anticipation and sound driving techniques were the tricks of the trade that I can only dream of acquiring.

Approaching the corner at high speed was only a straightforward precondition. Opting the right line to go around it and coming out of it in one piece are the crucial factors on the fast lane.

The seasoned campaigner was very alert and cautious. However, I was expecting a more aggressive flat out run with him flooring to pedal and press on harder, pushing the machine.