The Day When A Ferrari Decided to Visit IBA!

Written by Ayesha Rehan

"Vroom!" went the Ferrari on Monday, the 4th of November. Not literally, but that sound did echo in the Main Campus of IBA from morning till late evening. Credit goes to Shell Helix who brought the real Formula One TM experience to the campus. The Shell Helix university drive was all about participating as a team to participate in the Formula One TM Simulation Game and thus getting a chance to enjoy the Grand Prix 2014 in Malaysia!

Days before the event finally took place; the hype was slowly created by the Shell Ambassadors in IBA. Students rushed to register along with their friends, eager to be part of the mega event. The Shell Helix team also kept texting those participating in the competition, increasing the excitement fever even further. The night before the event, the representatives stayed as late as 11.00 pm in the campus; seeing the “Dome” being set up and making sure that everything was right on track. What increased the level of excitement even more were the pictures that were uploaded on Facebook live while the gargantuan “Dome” was being steadied.
The morning of the 4th dawned with everyone hurrying to the university to see with their own eyes what promised to be a big surprise. They were not disappointed. Right outside the Auditorium was the very 'Shell' they had seen in the pictures the night before, only now it was covered with a bright red cover. Here and there posters had been put up broadcasting the event and the fact that a Ferrari stood a few steps away from them, and it was the real thing! So it wasn’t much of a surprise to see students gathering in groups around the entrance of the dome, eager for a peek inside. Student representatives could be seen hastening around the campus in their bright red shirts. It was around eleven that the event kicked off, the same agents going to each table in every café to announce that the competition was now on. The thrill that ran through the student body could be felt. Those not attending classes rushed immediately to the gigantic dome, while those stuck listening to lectures were counting the minutes till the end of the sessions. The engine sounds could be heard echoing throughout the ground and the Adamjee building, drawing people towards the dome like a magnet. Those who hadn't gone inside it were standing gazing at the “Shell” eyes wide open.


Shell had mainly launched this event as a way of attracting the younger generation, by capturing one of the main areas of inerest, 'racing'. While this may be said to be true mostly for guys, nonetheless girls could be seen participating actively in the competition(no comment on their driving skills).The student representatives performed their roles well, taking care of the inside as well as the crowd outside. Photographers were present too, capturing shots of enthusiasts with the race car, as well as those playing the Simulation game. There was a compere as well, who was going around asking people what they thought about the “Dome” and all that it held within. He also kept announcing the top teams of that moment, further increasing the level of determination in the participating teams because, admit it, who wouldn’t want to go to the Grand Prix in 2014!
Going around listening to random students' comments about the Shell Drive, most of them were super impressed. On being asked about the first thought that entered their minds when they were confronted with the layout of the ground, answers were mostly along the range of "wow", "outstanding", "mind blowing". So overall it can be said that the event was a great success. The students were happy, and so was the Shell team, because they managed to get a great response, worthy of the amount of effort they put it. It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if they visited IBA again the next time they plan on holding such an event!