Team Land Rover Philippines fought valiantly to become the champion in the electric winch category in the inaugural China-Sanya International Off-road 4x4 challenge held last Sept. 19 to 23. Team Land Rover Philippines was powered by veteran off-roaders Hilario “Larry” Mendiola (driver) and Sergio “Atoy” Jamilla (co-driver/winchman).
Team Land Rover Philippines also won a special award called the “First Island Entry Award” given to the first foreign team to make it into Sanya and placed fifth in the overall category. Known as the F-1 of off-roading, this is one of the most treacherous 4x4 races in the world.
Of 40 competitors, only 13 vehicles were left able to enter the forest in what they call the transport stage: only two vehicles came out – the Philippines being the first showing the real world expertise and superior ability of our Filipino competitors and the competition vehicle: a lightly modified production class Land Rover Defender 90.
In summary, 40 teams from Europe and Asia registered for the event, 33 finished the Prologue Special Stage, 22 reached the Bao Long Mountains base camp, 13 vehicles were deemed capable of to join the Adventure Route and only the Philippine and Malaysian team made it through to camp 3.
Because of the severity of the conditions of the Adventure Route, it was named the “Twilight Zone” Stage, providing the most punishing conditions, not just because of the ferocious rain storms but of the sheer number of leeches as well. It was so rough that the last day of racing was cancelled and vehicles were being rescued up to four weeks after the race.
“Team Land Rover Philippines” will join the Rainforest Challenge 2009 Malaysia on Dec. 5 to 14 to be held at Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
