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Mud pit proved to be the toughest segment at this year’s SUVival Challenge

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Half the SUVs that went into this ravine (above) did not make it out.

Those who did went in bravely, with their feet planted on the accelerator pedal.

But many had to be pulled out of the 2m-deep mud pit with a towline.

It was muddy, challenging and the undisputed highlight of the The New Paper SUVival Challenge that took place over the weekend.

The obstacle, called Mahi Mahi — it should actually have been “muddy muddy” — was this year’s toughest offroad segment.

Half of those who tried, failed, said event organiser Mr Suhaimi Badri, president of All Wheelers Group Singapore.

Even those who made it through described the obstacle as tough.

One of them was the eventual winner, Mr Kwok Chee Wei, who bagged th top prize of $3,000 cash, a Geolandar tyre set, a Canon camera, an Autoglym product hamper and a Jeep remote-controlled toy car.

 

“My daughter was worried and asked me if we would make it. It was tough, but we had confidence,” he said.

Said Mr Suhaimi: “The trick to this station is to floor the accelerator once you hit the water.”

Mud and asphalt

The off-road segment also saw participants driving through a steeper but dry ravine, balancing on logs and navigating their way through the plantation while conquering mini-stations such as throwing darts and fishing rubber ducks from a bucket.

The annual event, in its ninth edition, was organised by The New Paper and run by All Wheelers Group Singapore.

Participants had set off before sunrise on Saturday, driving off from the Singapore Press Holdings News Centre at Toa Payoh.

Each team was given a Marbella GPS unit and the coordinates for the checkpoints. Participants first had to visit a checkpoint in Singapore before crossing the Causeway to tackle the other stations scattered about Johor Baru and Malacca.

Finally, it was a drive to the off-road station, situated at a plantation on the outskirts of Malacca, about 170km from Singapore.

Participants had to drive through the constructed obstacle course.

The day’s fun ended with a delectable dinner buffet spread at the Equatorial Hotel in Malacca.

Participants were also treated to a sumptuous international breakfast buffet the next morning.

Service manager Alvin Yeong, 53, and his family, who made their fourth appearance in the competition, said that while he found the adventure component too straightforward, the off-road part more than made up for it.

“We were given the coordinates from the start. My family and I were hoping for more a mystery of where we would end up,” he said.

“But that meant more time for the offroad segment. And it was shiok!”

Mr Paul Mclean, 43, an Australian who has been in Singapore for eight years, also praised the organisation of the event.

“Everything was very smooth. Everyone was very courteous. It was a great bonding session with my family and a chance to meet so many other likeminded people.”
 

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