(Race coordinator Marni Castro, race director Rene Romero, RFC-Malaysia PHL representative Roberto Consunji, race director Dennis Javier and Maxxis Tire PHL’s Jaybee Atanacio present “toughest of the tough” off-road competition to media. Photo by Bong Lacson)
CLARK FREEPORT – It will be another round of tough off-road competition for 2017 champion Mayor John Sambo of Sto. Tomas town in the Rainforest Challenged (RFC) Global Series from August 24 to 27 here in Pampanga.
During the press conference at the Park Inn Hotel by Radisson Clark on Friday, Philippine representative of RFC Malaysia, Atty. Roberto Consunji, gave a quick background of what the race is all about. He said RFC is considered one of the top 10 of the world’s toughest motor sports.
“It’s a combination of driving off -road and needs engineering, vehicular recovery and jungle survival,” he said.
The four-day competition is a multi-discipline off-road challenge to select a pool of local off-roaders from 44 racers to represent the Philippines in the Rainforest Challenge Malaysia 2018, he explained.
“Help us bring a Filipino to the international off-road competition in Malaysia,” he said.
“Will he come from Pampanga? Most likely yes,” Consunji said referring to defending champion Mayor Sambo who is ready to defend his title.
But he will be in for a tough race, Consunji said, because the obstacles will include special stages in the Sacobia River in Mabalacat City, Arayat and Palakol River in Floridablanca town.
“It’s everything unimaginable and we’d like to bring that unimaginable obstacle here in Pampanga. We’d like to test the Filipino skills under the most difficult condition,” Consunji said.
“It’s not just the driving. A lot of it is vehicle recovery, a lot of it is vehicle winching as well,” he added.
On the other hand, RFC Malaysia is a period of 10 days under the toughest condition because it’s held during the height of the monsoon season, he said.
The racers will even have a chance to experience a close encounter with Malaysian tigers, boars, elephants, lizards and leeches which often become a problem for the racers, he said.
“Because the rainforest of Malaysia is just about a fourhour flight, it is one of the most accessible international motor sports for the Filipino,” Consunji said.
Meanwhile, the four-day event in Pampanga will start with a scrutineering at the Parade Grounds here on August 24 where the opening and flag off ceremony will also be held.
Dennis Javier, who designed the race track, said they made sure it will be difficult this time.
But he declined to give further details saying it is still top secret and only on the day of the race that it will be revealed to the competitors.
However, he said the track will be more than one kilometer long and includes a 12- foot high climb that will require some techniques.
Prominent businessman, off -road enthusiast and event chairman Rene Romero said Vice Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda will be the guest of honor during the awarding ceremonies at 6 p.m. on August 27 at the Royce Hotel and Casino here.
