FIERCE, HOT  AND ROUGH
COMPETITION ACTION

The first reports that came back to us here in Kuching was that there were a good number of vehicles turn turtle - no, not Ninja Turtle but cars turning over.

Ah Hee bottom side up.

The second thing we heard was that the Kuching boys in the form of Jacko and Joe took top honours in this competition.

The bunch of Kuching boys.. .

The other report we received was that this was a 'dry' competition and there was no mud. They had rocks, sand and some hardpacked clay but no mud... now that's different.

It's plain to see from the way the tracks were set-up that more and more of our Indonesian neighbours are setting up their vehicles more like Baja buggies than off road 4X4 competition machines.

Jacko and co-driver Joe taking top honours

Baja bugs for a 4X4 event?

There would be a lot of frowns and murmur from  die hard 'Camel Trophy' types when they see the types of modification that the people in KALBAR (Kalimantan Barat) do.

For starters, fenders are an option. Almost all need to wear safety helmets as many of their cars do not have a hard top.

Supped engines and suspension all in a row

Mind you, these fellas are very generous when it comes to setting up their competition vehicles. Supped up engines and suspension cost many time over the cost of the original car. Imported parts? Most certainly.

This ain't no BJ40, shell only.. .

There are a few dominant types of vehicles here. First is the variant of the Toyota BJ40. These things are build tough as nails and these boys fortify them even further.

So powerful that it could pull a wheelie.. .

Then there's the CJ Jeep which is also very popular. For this Singkawang SS there was ONE lone Land Rover- the champion of the Land Rover competition with a stock 2.25L engine who finished in 5th overall.

With 6 competition cars from Sarawak in the Singkawang SS competition, we can only conclude that the sports of 4X4 is well and truly healthy again.

The lone Land Rover with standard engine got a credible 5th

With the friendship and rivalry gained, we on this side of the time zone can expect that our friendly and hospitable neighbours will certainly try to make life a misery by winning our 4X4 competition.

OK, all of you - there will be a WINCH SPECIAL on 1st May, 2005. Make arrangements, prepare your winches and cars... there is going to be battle.

This BJ buggy is on its side, but not out