Mendiolas vie in Malaysia 4x4

MANILA, Philippines - Larry and Hirryan Mendiola of Team AirAsia-Land Rover Philippines try to sustain their top form when they compete again in the Rainforest Challenge of Malaysia on Dec. 3-12 in Terengganu, Malaysia.

The Mendiolas have posted their strongest ever finish to date – first runner-up in the overall standings – in the 2010 edition of the RFC Malaysia, one of the world’s longest and toughest 4x4 off-road adventure competitions.

“The award-winning off-roading father-and-son duo placed first runner up in the 2010 RFC and will be one of the top contenders this year,” LRPhils Motors Inc. executive director Marc Soong said in a press conference also attended by  executives of new partner AirAsia, Inc. (Philippines) led by CEO Maan Hontiveros, and RFC Representative Philippines Robby Consunji.

Larry and Hirryan will again be driving a Land Rover Defender 90 powered by a 3.9 liter V8 Petrol engine.

But this time, the Mendiolas plan to make a few adjustments, based on their experience last August in the third China Sanya International RFC 2011, where they placed 12th overall.

“We have to use a bigger ground anchor because in China (Sanya) we had a hard time under deep water. We also need to lighten the vehicle to about 1.3 tons,” Larry said in Filipino.

The team also formally welcomed AirAsia, Inc. as its official partner.

“AirAsia has constantly dedicated itself to supporting sports both here and abroad. We believe that the Land Rover Phl Team will give their best in their quest for the title in the RFC Malaysia as they have shown in past competitions,” said Hontiveros in expressing the company’s full support.