Four Wheel Drive Club of Sri Lanka

Text by Darshan Maralanda, pix by Anuradha Ratnaweera

Day 4 started out with the usual briefing where the instructions to enter the `Twilight Zone' were revealed. A seven kilometre stretch where the choice was given for the competitors either to go through this difficult terrain or to backtrack. The media was also given the choice either to backtrack, or to hike the seven kilometres.

The convoy lined up to twilight zone with the Land Rover team from Philippines leading the way followed by the Lankan team. Rest of the convoy consisted of Malaysia, Hong Kong and China consisting of a total of 13 vehicles entering the twilight zone.

The twilight zone lived up to its reputation from the very beginning of the trail. As the trail progressed, the terrain became muddy and narrow. At every hill, winching was necessary for the Lankan car whereas better prepared vehicles such as the Philippines and the Malaysian team contended the essence with much ease. The tropical rain started descending making matters worse and separating the convoy where the river rose and the part of the convoy had to turn back.

With the rain drenched trails every climb needed at least to be winched four times. While the lead car was not to be seen ahead, the Malaysian car was promoted up the order to lead the convoy. Also a team from Hong Kong contributed to the recovery, bringing in the true sense of team work which was the right formula to get through the twilight zone.

The Malaysian car was truly a wonder machine. It was the battle tank of all off-road machines. The genuine spirit of the Malaysians never to leave a man behind. They were winching themselves as well towing others up the hill. Also they were turning around in the narrow trail going back to get others who were in the back of the trail.

The journey that started at 9 a.m. continued till nightfall in this fashion covering only a two third of the trail. The trail came to a point where it was disintegrating for the heavy rain and parts of the road were washed away making these passes near impossible and dangerous. The Lankan team having failed headlights and being towed by the Malaysian team decided to call it a night at around 9 p.m. until the next day.

A goose-neck lamp was put out which was the only source of light and the cramped single cabin Patrol was the refuge for the night. Also by this time the winch cable of the had broken and had to be repaired if the journey was to be continued on its own power.

Since it was raining and being unable to light the stove outside, the Lankan team had to settle down for corned beaf, peanuts, Pringles, baked beans, bread and one lonely can of beer.

While the Lankan team was settling down for the night, one could hear the distinct engine sound of the Malaysian car still powering through the difficult terrain through the night.