Friday October 5, 2012
Garry, the man with the loudest car, passes away
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian motorsports lost a colourful character with the passing of Garry Chua Ah Seng (pic) on Tuesday night. He died of leukaemia.
The 69-year-old Garry, who became known as one of the best rotary racer and engine tuner in the region, had been ill for some time and his condition took a turn for the worse after being admitted to hospital.
Many members of the motorsports fraternity have been paying their respects at his wake in Cheras.
And it is no exaggeration to say that he will be fondly remembered by his racing peers of the late 70s and 80s as the person behind the wheels of the loudest car on the track.
Garry drove the RX-7 Savanna and the sound he created used to send shudders down those close by, taking him to numerous race wins.
Bernard Chin was a journalist for Asian Auto Racing magazine in the 80s before he joined rallying and recalled how it easy it was to pick out Garry.
It was the days before the Sepang track came into existence and the likes of Yoong Yin Fah (now Hanifah Yoong), Harvey Yap, Garry and their generation of auto racing heroes were burning rubbers either at the Esplanade in Penang, Pasir Gudang track in Johor or the Shah Alam Motorsports Paradise (SAMP) circuit in Batu Tiga, which has since been demolished.
“You just go to the car with the loudest noise. There were a few Mazda RXs around at that time. Garry had his car exhaust modified and it really produced glass-shattering noise,” said Bernard.
“It was the worst in Penang when the noise echoed between buildings and I had to wear ear plugs to be on the track.
“He was also slow with his words when interviewed and many wondered how such a person can be so quick on the track.”
Garry, who owned a service centre in Petaling Jaya, later ventured into the rallying scene.
He managed and ran the Perodua Rally Team for a year and it went on to become a dominant name in the local rally scene.
Garry’s funeral will be held at 11am tomorrow at Hall 10, Xiao En Centre, 1, Jalan Kuari, Cheras.
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