4x4 Challenge 2007 - Finale
It was a grand and exciting finish fit for the season, the much anticipated 4x4 challenge 2007 which was held in three stages (Stage 1 – Prolog, Stage 2 - Habarana and Stage 3 – Water’s Edge Colombo) concluded on the 16th December culminating in an awards ceremony held on the same day at Waters Edge.
Competitors after completing a grueling stage 2 in Habarana made there way to Waters Edge on the 16th morning, where a different kind of event was being held to entertain the spectators. A unique and novel idea of offering a basic off road track to the novices to home there skills was being organized. For the first time in the history of FWDC and the 4x4 events held drivers of the fairer sex competed along side their counterparts in a drag race style off road event.
The winners of this novice event were selected on the best times achieved to complete the route. It was very encouraging to witness the skill that most of the lady competitors had in competing at this event. The gentlemen had a slightly different track to compete in, but never the less demanding.
The third and final stage of the 4x4 Challenge got under way as the novices event concluded mid day, the 20 competitors who took part in Habarana now had to battle I on for extra points. 2 very demanding obstacles were created to determine the winners of the exciting event. One such obstacle was a ditch crossing which saw experienced 4x4 drivers having a difficult time in coping with the terrain such as Roshan Rathnayake (U-BOLT) having trouble with the steering column in his Toyota BJ-43 had to be pulled out by the recovery marshals. Pubudu Wickrama a veteran rally driver whose newest passion is 4x4 driving also had a very successful run, on the other hand some new comers to the 4x4 challenge were seen just cruising out of the obstacle, Sam Chandrasoma in a TJ Wrangler was literally flying over the ditch. Indika Sanjaya and Osanda Maligaspe two seasoned 4x4 driver also had a very impressive drive clocking a excellent time at the finish line.
The second obstacle was a newbie; competitors had to reverse into a ditch full of water, face there vehicle towards the exit and drive out of the ditch. Here again the brain proved better than the brawn in some cases, but the highlights would be Deepthi Perera, Amal Wijeyrathne, Pubudu Wickrama, Osanda Maligaspe, Indika Sanjaya, trying out novel ways of exiting the ditch. This was a great crowd pleaser. Special mention must be made to the fact that though being competitors’ great camaraderie and sportsmanship was shown amongst the competitors. The FWDC is proud to foster this brotherhood as it sometime proves invaluable in times of need, when stuck in the mud for example.
Alas as they say in show business “All good things must come to an end…” and so it was. The last event for the 4x4 Challenge 2007 concluded with a magnificent awards ceremony held in the cool breeze at Water’s Edge; the final standings are…
Camaraderie Award: Mr. Indika Sanjaya
Team Award:
Winners: Team Land Rover
1st Runner Up: Team Jeep
2nd Runner Up: Team U-Bolt
4x4 Challenge 2007:
Winner: Mr. Indika Sanjaya - Land Rover
1st Runner Up: Mr. Osanda Maligaspe - Land Rover
2nd Runner Up: Mr. Suresh Chathuranga - Land Rover
3rd Runner Up: Mr. Deepthi Perera - Jeep Wrangler
4th Runner Up: Mr. Saty Watson - Land Rover
A special thank you to our sponsors CIFL, Dimo Jeep, Toyota Lanka, Daily Mirror, Sirasa Media Network, Outdoorsman, Promo Watch. The Management and staff of Water’s Edge. The competitors. FWDC and SLARDAR Marshals. Finally to the spectator who made this event a grand success.
Thus concluded the 4x4 Challenge 2007 and the 4x4 season for the year 2007, an exciting and fun filled 4x4 event line up has already being scheduled for 2008. Await more details…till then “Keep the tire side down”.