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For the love of 4x4 

By Alyna Tai 
Welcome back BBQ for Norman Ching a veteran in 4x4 in Malaysia.

The Buaya 4x4 group of enthusiast ia having a get together a fund raiser night for Norman Ching. Those interested please contact Mr Steven Lee 019 33 33 332

Who is Norman Ching


Norman Ching's now in his house in a wheelchair and can't speak so that you can understand. He had a stroke about three weeks ago that left half his body paralysed, so even though he understands exactly what's going on, he can't form the words that he wants to say. we'll have to get him to a good physiotheraphist so that he can continue what he was doing -- harnessing the enthusiasm and talent of the BP 4x4 enthusiasts to help the less privileged orang asli and other less privileged people in Johore.

Norman is a qualified mechanic and worked in major car companies, the last one of which was the Lada Niva importer. He set up his business to look after the Lada Niva and it was during this time that he honed his 4x4 and outdoor skills. It would have been about 30 years ago that I met him playing with the Lada Niva, one of the world's most capable off-roader -- fully coil sprung -- in its compact class. He could make the LN dance on the rocks and swim through the mud.

He even participated in the first few Trans-Peninsula events that the ACKL organised -- I was one of the founder members and the club address was my house address -- and he took home at least one trophy.

As the population of LN fell, he moved on to other 4x4's including Land Rovers. One of his special strengths was his physical fitness and love of the outdoors. we also knew him as Orang Asli because he would remove his T-shirt and go around topless as soon as he entered the jungle during off-road trips. with his boundless energy and stamina, he was a natural leader.

Because of work pressures, he dropped out of the ACKL yet remained on chummy terms with the old timers like Steven Lee and this writer. It was over the past 10 years that he started the Buaya Puchong because these were his friends and customers who supported him when he had his workshop in Puchong.

We can rehabilitate Norman because his body and mind is strong. Let's pray for him and give till it hurts.

BY Yamin Vong
LROM CLUB ADVISOR