By Lavania Subramaniam
The speed was unforgettable. The lessons were permanent.
More than two decades after Michael Schumacher climbed into his Proton Wira, Suriya still finds himself reflecting not on the speed of that remarkable drive, but on the lessons and experiences it left behind.
"This incident took place in 2003, and now it's 2026 - 23 years ago," he reflected. "Yet to me, it feels like it was just weeks ago. Every detail remains fresh."
For many motorsport enthusiasts, the story is memorable because a F1 legend once drove a Malaysian rally-prepared Proton Wira. To him, the experience became a masterclass in discipline, preparation, communication and understanding the responsibility that comes with operating a machine at its limits.
He recalled that before driving the Wira onto the highway, Schumacher wanted to understand every aspect of the car. He asked detailed questions about its modifications, suspension, braking system and safety features.
Suriya explained that the car had been converted from rally specification for road use and wasn’t equipped with certain systems commonly found in modern performance cars. Schumacher quickly noticed one omission: the car was not fitted with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
"He asked all the safety questions first," Suriya recalled. "He wanted to understand the vehicle before pushing it."
Watching Schumacher analyse the car reinforced a lesson he would carry throughout his career.
"He understood the limitations of the vehicle. He could feel the brake bias, suspension behaviour and torque characteristics almost instantly." Suriya said.
What impressed Suriya most was not simply Schumacher's driving ability, but the discipline behind it.
Preparation always came before performance.
"He was talking normally," Suriya laughed. "We were travelling above 200 km/h, as we discussed racing, the weather at Sepang and incidents from previous races. To him, it was just another conversation. That's when I realised just how extraordinary he was. He had complete control. His ability was beyond what the car itself could actually do."
Yet behind the world championships, global fame and racing success was a man who carried a burden few people truly understood.
During their conversation, he jokingly asked Schumacher a simple question.
"Michael, you have everything in the world. What would you like to have?"
The answer surprised him.
"Can you buy me anonymity?"
For a moment, Suriya thought Schumacher was joking. The Formula 1 legend explained that fame often came at a personal cost. Simple activities that many people take for granted - spending time with family, enjoying a meal in public or shopping without interruption - were luxuries he rarely experienced.
"We don't have much freedom," Schumacher explained.
The response stayed with Suriya long after the drive ended. Like many fans, he had assumed that success, wealth and worldwide recognition represented the ultimate achievement. Instead, he discovered that even the most celebrated athletes longed for the ordinary moments many people overlook.
That conversation took on even greater meaning after Schumacher's skiing accident in 2013.
"I continue to pray for his recovery, happiness and wellbeing," Suriya said. "I believe his family and medical team are giving him the best possible care.”
The encounter also revealed another side of Schumacher – a man of humility and kindness.
According to Suriya, Schumacher quietly supported charitable causes and genuinely cared for those around him.
One memory remains particularly vivid.
While leaving an event in Cyberjaya, Schumacher noticed a young boy waiting patiently with his father. Dressed in a miniature racing suit, the child simply hoped for a chance to meet his hero.
Although schedules were tight, Schumacher stopped. He signed an autograph, posed for a photograph and spent a few moments speaking with the young fan.
As they walked away, Schumacher shared a personal reflection. "When I was young, I had the same dream of meeting my idol. I would always stop for young fans."
It was another lesson - not about racing, but about character. "That was something I learned from him," he said. "No matter how successful you become, never forget where you started."
Those experiences eventually shaped Suriya's own approach to leadership, training and mentorship in his automotive career.
Over the years, he built an accomplished career across Malaysia and the ASEAN automotive industry, holding leadership, training and consultancy roles with organisations including Shell Malaysia, Proton, Honda, Peugeot, Volkswagen, Chevrolet, Petronas Dagangan Berhad and Stellantis Malaysia.
His expertise spans sales and aftersales development, commercial training, fleet operations, leadership coaching, automotive learning solutions and motorsports-related business development.
Beyond the corporate environment, his passion for automotive heritage continues through Dream Street Restoration (DSR), where he remains actively involved in preserving and restoring iconic Malaysian performance vehicles, including the Proton Wira C99, Satria GTi and other significant models that represent an important chapter of the nation's automotive history.
"My role today is simple but crucial," he shared. "To guide, support and transfer experience so that the work we do leaves a lasting footprint long after I'm gone."
Today, success is no longer measured by trophies, but by the people he mentors, the knowledge he shares and the impact he leaves behind.
His advice to aspiring racers, technicians, trainers and dreamers remains straightforward.
"It took me 36 years to discover the career path that truly aligned with who I am."
He entered the automotive learning and development field at an age when many people believe opportunities have already passed them by. They hadn't. In fact, they were only beginning.
"Never believe it's too late to live a life you're proud of. Never convince yourself that age defines your potential or limits your dreams."
"Stop feeding doubt. Stop looking for reasons why you can't. If motorsport and automotive passion run in your blood, stay the course, keep learning and trust the process."
"Your journey doesn't start late - it starts the moment you decide to move forward."
From a boy sidelined by illness to rally competitor to an automotive trainer, consultant, mentor and restoration specialist, Suriya Sankaran's journey is ultimately about resilience, lifelong learning and the courage to keep moving forward - proving that the most meaningful journeys are not defined by a single achievement, but by the lives we influence along the way.
Those interested in automotive learning and development, sales and aftersales excellence, motorsport knowledge, vehicle restoration, professional coaching or industry mentorship may connect with Suriya Sankaran to learn from his decades of experience across both motorsport and the wider automotive sector.
Lavania Subramaniam (lavania0701@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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