KUCHING: The Kuching 4X4 Challenge, with a refreshing mix of new names and old faces on the podium, ended on Monday after three days of fierce competition.
It looks serious but Bhill Diway (left) and co-driver Albert Mikin recovered from their mishap to go on and finish third overall in Group B competition.
In the premier Group A for unlimited modified vehicles, Low Fook Jan took the top prize with co-driver and veteran Chai Mui Shin, past champion of many international 4X4 challenges.
Low and Chai scored a total of 405 points to win convincingly, coming home first in two out of the five Special Stages (SS), plus a second and third placing in two others.
All competitors failed to finish the fifth stage in the allocated time.
The fastest finisher in each SS earned 100 points, wi th 95 points for second fastest, 90 for third.
Each subsequent place gets three points less.
Various infringements are penalised with deductions of points. Chai Shan Fa and co-driver Thian Sik Kwang finished 35 points behind to claim second spot with Lai Nyuk Shin and Chong Vui Chen third.
In Group B, for cars with standard winches, Ng Teck Kui and Chin Kian Ming won with 426 points, just one point ahead of Lee Bui Fah and Bon Lieh Tzen. Bhill Diway and Albert “Burung” Mikin recovered from a setback in the last SS, when their Suzuki toppled onto its side, to claim third prize with 362 points.
Group C proved to be first time lucky for Lu Shiau Min and co-driver Lu Siaw Chai, who raced to the top with 443 points, ahead of Choo Cheng Foh-Ng Foong Fui (413 points) and Albert Mikin-Shamarizane Mikin (410).
The Kuching 4X4 Challenge, held at Lee Ling Heights near Kota Sentosa (7th Mile) here, attracted a large crowd of spectators and enthusiasts.
“We are happy with the good turnout, of both competitors and supporters, which augur well for the future of extreme 4X4 challenges as a sport in Sarawak,” organising chairman Wilfred Sim commented.