All hail Team Land Rover Philippines!

MANILA, Philippines –  When we made our vow to shed light on some of the more positive achievements of the Philippine motoring industry last week, we weren’t just spewing rhetoric. By the time we wrote last week’s Backseat Driver column on starting the year right, we had already heard of the amazing first runner up finish of Team Land Rover Philippines at the recently concluded Rainforest Challenge (RFC) of Malaysia 2010. The achievement is particularly noteworthy since this marks only the second time that Team Land Rover Philippines has competed in the Malaysian leg of the competition – and already they have moved far up the ladder, barely missing the overall championship!

The Rainforest Challenge 2010 edition in Johor Baru, Malaysia was held from December 4 to 13, and was officiated by no less than His Majesty, the Sultan of Johor. From Johor Bahru, the competition led 35 teams through Segamat, Labis, Kelaung, Jemaluang and back to Johor Bahru. Team Land Rover Philippines was one of only 20 teams to actually finish the grueling competition. It’s first runner up finish marks the highest ever finish of a Filipino off-road team in a competition of this magnitude, where several competitors from all over the world participated.

The ten-day event is the longest 4x4 off-road extreme competition in the world and arguably, the hardest and most unpredictable. Given the further improvements from the proven 2009 format, participants from all over the world had high expectations. Along with the Philippines, the Russian team also had a strong presence throughout the competition.

“To complete the route is an achievement as it shows the endurance of both man and machine in overcoming the natural obstacles along the way. Apart from the dramatic opening ceremony, Prologue SS, elaborate air and ground police support, military communications and ambulance/paramedics, organizational support from RFC officials, the participants and media also faced the twists and turns from the off-road terrain, thriller at the Twilight Zone (TZ), dramatic rescue operations by sea and land from the TZ and finally immersing in the scenic and picturesque campsite by the South China Sea. All in all, an unforgettable RFC experience. We completed the event but we know that Mother Nature rules supreme,” said Luis Wee, RFC founder and creator.

“Year after year the competition in the RFC has gotten tougher and competition stronger. For our team to place as first runner-up is nothing short of a landmark victory and is hopefully a step towards getting the championship someday. I have always said – unlike other motorsports, off-roading is a sport in which the Filipino can dominate,” noted Marc Soong, Executive Director of LRPhils Motors Inc.

Team Land Rover Philippines is composed of father and son veteran off-roaders Hilario “Typhoon Larry” Mendiola (driver) and Hirryan Mendiola (co-driver/winchman). The team also included mechanic Dennis Javier and press photographer Igor Maminta. Team Land Rover Philippines was supported by LRPhils Motors Inc., Formula Sports, Inc., Cebu Pacific, Rudy Project, Timberland, Summit Natural Drinking Water, and Spot Messenger.

“We are extremely happy with the performance of our Land Rover Defender 90 and our team, Larry and Hirryan, have shown the world our excellence in off-roading. They were simply brilliant, and to think that our Defender is one of the least modified and one of the only pure vehicles being 100% Land Rover,” added Soong.