Dirty fun: The Maxxis Cup-NASFOR 4x4 Xtreme Challenge Series

MANILA, Philippines - The year 2014 is an exciting year for off-road enthusiasts, as Maxxis Philippines and Mobil (Visayas), in partnership with NASFOR (National Association of Filipino Off-Roaders) present the much-anticipated Maxxis Cup-NASFOR 4x4 Extreme Challenge Series. The competition is basically an extreme off-road-driving challenge that involves participants driving their custom-built rigs through a hardcore course of pits, cliffs and dirt, while vying to set the best time. The first leg of the 14th season of this series was held at a custom-made off-road course dug out in an open lot at SRP (South Road Projects) in Cebu City during the last weekend of January; and the 2nd leg was recently held at T’boli, South Cotabato last March 8-9. The third leg was held last weekend in Barangay Langub, Davao City.

A total of 13 legs are scheduled across the country this year—five in Luzon, five in Mindanao and three in Visayas—but the organizers say that there may even be a 14th leg coming up, depending on circumstances. What is also unique this year is the inclusion of a Novice Divisio—by popular demand of the local clubs. “I commend it because it brings in new members,” exclaimed NASFOR President Ramon To-Ong in Cebu. “Hopefully they continue on and become the next generation of extreme off-roaders.”

Prizes in each leg include Racetech shocks, specialized tools, cash prizes and highly-coveted Maxxis Tires (a choice between 38 x 12.5/R15 or 38 x 13/R15 creepy crawlers).

North Trend Marketing Corporation, the exclusive distributor of Maxxis Tires in the Philippines, has always been known to support the Filipino off-roading community, and the evidence is clear in its multiple light commercial vehicle product offerings. Each tire size has about 6-7 assortments; and there are 7-8 tread patterns for each size.

“Maxxis is the preferred brand for commercial vehicles all over the Philippines,” remarked a proud Ronald Ang, COO of Maxxis Philippines. “Dealers in fact, want to be part of Maxxis to be able to sell the commercial tires,” he explained. He furthered that they aspire to achieve the No. 1 business share of all local tire dealers, and that “we have no outlet stores...we service dealers only.” Maxxis tires are easily available nationwide.

A Cebu-based business, North Trend Marketing has also been proactive in pushing for the ‘Maxxis Global Family’ philosophy, which basically puts a greater premium into relationships, because “family is more lasting than a partner.” Most of its programs are geared towards supporting the local dealers, in order to cultivate a ‘family-like’ mindset. In fact, in 2012, North Trend Marketing Corp. was awarded ‘Best Distributor for East Asia’ by Maxxis Global (Taiwan).

Also supporting the Maxxis Cup 4x4 Extreme Off-Road Challenge is North Trend’s Mobil arm, as they are the sole distributor of Mobil lubricants in the Visayan region. “We want to leverage Mobil as a brand for 4x4,” explained Art Gravoso, Operations Manager of Mobil. “Because in 4x4, you need a super-powerful engine... and if maganda langis mo, you will significantly improve the HP of your engine.” Their assortment of products include: Passenger Vehicle Lubes (PVL); Commercial Vehicle Lubes (CVL); and Industrial Lubes. “For monster trucks, I recommend Mobil Delvac1,” pointed out Gravoso. “It is a fully-synthetic diesel engine oil that promotes greater performance in rough terrain like this.” Included among the array of prizes is a gallon of Mobil Delvac1 for the grand winner of the finals.

Interestingly, the first 4x4 Club in the Philippines started in Angeles, Pampanga way back in the 1960’s because of the US bases. Their vehicles then were limited to jeeps running on size 33 tires. But the real, modern off-road competitions really began in Cebu—in fact, Cebu was the center of off-road activities until the mid-1990’s! In these competitions you would see the complete deal: winching, exotic rigs and full 35-inch tires. Except the enthusiasm in the region gradually faded...and now, hopefully, Maxxis and NASFOR wishes to revive this lost eagerness. “I really hope our events will awaken the passion that used to be here!” exclaimed a hopeful Ramon To-Ong.

For updates and a list of the leg winners, check out their FB page: Maxxis Tires Philippines.

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The fun is in the mud: Buggies went into the pit, drove through the mud and did the extreme — all off road.