Sixty teams including those from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia and the Royal Brunei 4X4 team will be participating in the Padawan International 4X4 Off-Roaders Extreme Challenge 2015.
Some of the activities include river wading, winching, hill climbing, mud slide driving, downhill maneuvering and rock climbing as well as testing the true skills of driving.
The site chosen for Padawan International 4X4 Off-Road Extreme Challenge 2015 near Bengoh Resettlement Scheme (BRS) at Jalan Puncak Borneo has been identified as the best in this region and has great potential to be turned into a permanent off-road track in the state.
Bengoh assemblyman Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said compared with other off-road tracks in the region, this was the best and most challenging course because of its natural terrains and also the soil.
He said due to its potential it would be good if it could be turned into a permanent track not only for 4X4 off-road extreme challenges but also motocross and other extreme motor sports.
“I suggest that Padawan Municipal Council (PMC), which is the local authority responsible for the area, to apply to the state government for the site to be gazzeted as a permanent track for such events,” he said.
Dr Jerip, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Health, said with that kind of track and the serene surrounding, the track would certainly be an attraction to those who loved adventures and extreme sports.
He congratulated PMC for their courage to organise Padawan International 4X4 Off-Road Extreme Challenge 2015 on May 22 to 24.
“Since this event is going to be held near BRS I believe it will definitely open up opportunities for the local people,” he told a media conference here yesterday.
Meanwhile, the organising chairman Cr Wilfred Yap Yau Sin said the event had been in the pipeline for quite sometimes but they could not get it started as many people were a bit scared of the financial aspect of it.
He said they were able to finally pursue the matter now after getting the full support from Dr Jerip who helped them with the financial backup and the contacts.
“We are just the organiser but the person behind the whole thing and gets it started is Datuk Dr Jerip,” he said.
He added that the council, as the organiser of the challenge, vowed to make this first-ever off road track the best in the region.
According to Yap, 60 teams including those from Indonesia, Brunei, Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand had so far confirmed their participation and they expected the event would draw at least 8,000 spectators.
He said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem would declare open the event on May 23 while Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg will officiate at the closing ceremony the following day.
It was revealed that apart from the race, many other exciting activities such as the World Renown Ring Ladies performance, Battle of The Band, Bike and Car Exhibition, Formula Car Display and Beauty Pageants have also been planned as side activities of the event.
It was also said that based on a preliminary survey, the indication was that the event will help generate economic activities of approximately RM3 million with the average spending of RM375 from each domestic and foreign visitor.
“This is part of the spill-over effect of the event in generating tourism dollars with many racing fans and supporters who come over to Sarawak for the sole purpose of watching the race and most likely extend their stay to visit other fascinating attractions that Padawan has to offer.
“With that we would like to thank Sarawak Automotive Racing Sport Association (Sarsa) and Kuching 4X4 Motorsports Club for their contribution. We also want to convey our gratitude to the state government, relevant agencies, sponsors, corporate bodies and individuals for supporting the event,” he said
Permanent secretary to the Ministry of Tourism Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, PMC chairman Lo Khere Chiang, deputy chairman Dr Zaeidi Suhaili, secretary Andrew Joris Noyen and other organising committee members were also present at the news conference.
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