At the break of dawn last Sunday, a group of students clad in their orange uniform gathered in front of their college chatting and obviously very excited. In fact, just about anyone that has a passion for cars and speed would be as enthusiastic because the Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix Finals was only hours away.

An overwhelming amount of 80 students at The Otomotif College (TOC) had the honour to be a part of the team that made the event possible. Upon arriving at the circuit, TOC students were grouped and briefed on their respective tasks. At approximately What Time, fans started flooding in the entrance under the blazing hot sun at the Sepang F1 Circuit and TOC students could be seen examining tickets and guiding the fans to their designated seats.

“It was an amazing experience to be there,” beamed the only female TOC student present at the event, Carin Chiam, who was assisting at the information booth. Carin was urged by her mother to join TOC and venture into the automotive industry just like her mother did before she became the manager of an automotive company.

On the other side of the track, 10 students were picked among the group of 30 that were at the office, to help out at the pit. Hun Chiang Sin, Lee II, Chin Hon Seong, Nagaindren, Poh Chen Chung and Siow Jin Wei was among the lucky ones that walked out to the race track to place the red carpet for the drivers’ interview, standing only meters away from the racers.

“I never expected to be at the pit when I agreed to help out at the event, It was so exciting,” says Poh, a student in Diploma in Automotive Technology, sharing his experience on walking on the race track. “We managed to get a feel of the atmosphere in a race pit, it is unforgettable,” claims Lee II, also a current student pursuing his Diploma in Automotive Technology.

The other four students, Ng Kwok Meng, Bong Weng Chen, Lai Lun Thye & Wong Alvin helped to usher in the children for interviewing the drivers was also present at the pit. It was like a dream come true for Motorsports Technology student Wong Alvin when he stepped into the race pit and got a taste of how it was like to be involved in a race pit.

“I have always wanted to be a part of the mechanical team of F1, and being at the pit that day feels so surreal, I’m glad I’m given a chance to be there,” claims Wong.

Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix is one of the many international events that TOC students are privileged to gain first-hand experience even before they graduate. The college believes in setting a good foundation for students to equip themselves before they enter the exciting and dynamic automotive industry. With their knowledgeable automotive trainers, students are able to complete intensive training with outstanding results. Boasting of a 100% employment rate since 2007, TOC graduates always have a high demand from the automotive industry.