Central Sarawak 4X4 Challenge 2007  [picture main page] [competition pictures] [people and ceremonies] [prize winners]

Congratulations to the top winners in Group A unlimited category. Sabahan brothers CHANG KET KIUN (better known as Kudat Kuin) and CHANG KET VUI in car no. 57 emerged Champions with 537 points with their state counterparts WONG CHI PENG / THIEN YET LONG in car no 56 getting runners up. Honourable mention goes to CHAI MUI SHIN / LIEW YUN SONG of Kuching, Sarawak # 59 who despite vehicle trouble got them 3^rd spot. The car trouble made them late for the scrutineering and race brief saw them being docked 50 points penalty on their overall score. They amassed a total score of 518 points. JONG JACK KOH / CHAI AI KION # 61 put up an exhibition of skilled driving going over many obstacles – especially his rock crawler styled SS 5 hill climbed to grab 4^th. The local Iban team of Apai Innovation of MUDAN LUCHAK / JOHNNY GAWAN # 50 close up the top honours by grabbing fifth a great pride for Bintulu.

Participants line up with Tony Wong, Gracie Geikie flanked by Robert Chien (black Millet T) and Malcolm Jitam and officials at Parkcity Mall, Bintulu for the flag off.

Group A unlimited saw only two entries and Bintulu team of SOON KIAN KIAT / LAU SEE HOCK # 78 (Swee Hin Auto) locked horns with PATRICK FONG / LARRY LIM # 70 all the way to the final stage winning b 15 points.

RUMY / MD. GADDAFI HJ. TAMIN from Brunei were champions of Group B while Bintulu’s flag were carried by positions 2^nd to 5^th by RICHARD ARAN / ROBINSON ENGKANG, YONG HUA KUIN / CHAI HON PING, CHONG CHUAN CHUNG / SIMON YUAN, CHAI HON PING / YONG HUA KUIN. The top 1^st and 2^nd teams were separated by only 3 points.

Overall the event went well. After the formalities of the very colourful city centre flag off at the Parkcity Mall, the competitors went to the track area that was superbly laid out by the Bintulu 4X4 Skill and Adventure group. Banners flooded the public areas with music, PA and all. When it was time to start the competition.. the skies opened up and lashed heavy torrential rains turning the most areas into mud pool, hill slopes into waterfalls, and water crossings into 2.5 meter deep swimming. After waiting for the rain to stop, the organisers made a decision to move all competition to the following day.

Parkcity Mall Flagoff

Day 2 of competition started off with Group B and thereafter by Group A. For details, its better to see the event video but suffice to say that stronger competitors stamped their intentions early. Stage 1 was an easier stage but it took longer then expected as the SS were run over a water crossing and some deep thick mud. All competitors made it through all right. Stage 2 was one where there was a winch section up a hill, down some drops, a water crossing and a mud pool. The hills were the easy part... the hard part? See report 2.

New Ford Ranger in Group B competition action