Mud, sand take wits out of off-roaders

SAN FELIPE, Zambales, Philippines – Participants in the second Gov. Jun Ebdane 4x4 Offroad Challenge got a taste of how punishing the sand-and-mud all weather tracks in Barangay Sindol were as a number of the early birds wound up with DNFs (Did Not Finish) marks at the start of eliminations Saturday.

Many-time national champion Noel Bartolome Sr. himself was among the first four drivers who yielded to the demanding tracks that are teeming with deep, muddy and wet obstacles, a five-foot high mound of tires and a 10-foot mound of sand dubbed “Governor’s Hill,” that puts even the most grizzled off-roader to the limit.

Bartolome Sr. failed to conquer Track B in the 25-minute cutoff time and left a couple of obstacles still unhurdled. It was basically the same for the other early birds who saw action, like 17-year-old Jep Magsumbol who got stuck in the two-foot canal of Track A.

But they still have the chance to make up when they shift to the other track later in the day.

Tournament rules call for the off-roaders to tackle Tracks A and B, which are loaded with five unforgiving obstacles apiece, and their clockings will be combined.

The Top 20 riders with the best times will advance to Sunday’s final race in the P200,000 event that showcases one of Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.’s sports program and activities.

For the finals, the two tracks designed by the National Association of Filipino Off-Roaders will be converted into one extremely technical and demanding track for the qualified competitors to navigate.

Ebdane flagged off the 27 participants from major offroad clubs in a mid-morning ceremony Saturday. The brief ceremonies were also attended by Second District Rep. Omar Ebdane, San Felipe Mayor Caroline Fariñas and thousands of locals and 4x4 enthusiasts who trooped to the venue to see the roar of powerful machines on four wheels.