Civic faces severe test in start of Media Challenge ’03

The 2003 Honda Civic will be put to a severe test by veterans and newcomers to the sport of rallycross racing with the start of the first leg of the 2003 Civic Media Challenge this Saturday at the Liwasang Ipil-ipil of the CCP complex.

Competition is expected to be tough as experienced rallycross drivers in mass media return to face the twin challenge of driving a more powerful car on dirt and tarmac courses and against new comers – first-timers and second- and third-year participants – in the annual Honda event.

The official competition vehicle is a stock 2003 Civic with a 130-horsepower 1.6-liter Honda engine with VTEC 3 technology, the most powerful in its class. The only changes from showroom vehicles are roll bars, four-point race harnesses, and Sparco race seats, all installed for safety during competition.

Thirteen four-member teams have signed up for this year’s Media Challenge composed of motoring and other journalists and celebrities representing various media outfits from print, radio, and television, as well as leading motoring websites.

The competitors will be battling for team championships as well as individual honors in the four-leg event which will be held monthly until July. The championships will be based on points earned by each team and individuals during each leg of the exciting series which is expected to draw crowds of spectators on competition Saturdays beginning this coming weekend.

Motor sports enthusiasts will surely enjoy the action, especially with the heat of competition not only between teams but also among veterans and newcomers.

The Media Challenge will also provide car lovers a chance to see a 2003 Civic driven at extreme speeds and conditions on both dirt track and tarmac courses designed by the event’s race director, 10-time national rally driver, Vip Isada.