PH Team Eyes Podium Finish in Rainforest Challenge Grand Finals in Malaysia

The Philippine contingent for the upcoming Rainforest Challenge (RFC) Grand Finals in Kelantan, Malaysia is eyeing a podium finish in style.

In an interview during the send-off made by oil industry giant Petron Corporation, the tandem of Eduardo 'Randy' Sobrepeña and Ronnie 'Boxy' Malonzo said that they are eyeing to hit the achievement of father-and-son duo Larry and Hirryan Mendiola who finished second overall in the RFC Challenge of Malaysia in 2010.

"Everyone who participated wants to have the first place in the competition so our target is the second place or even higher," Sobrepeña told CARMUDI PHILIPPINES.

However, should they not get lucky and not be in the top three, the experience as well as a good finish is enough for them. "We have to keep in mind that many of the participants are well-trained and have long joined the previous RFCs," he noted.

The Sobrepeña-Malonzo duo were the top finishers in the RFC Global Series Philippines Championship Race held in Pampanga last August 24 to 27.

The only challenge for the two, Sobrepeña revealed, was the time constraints for building their rig for the grand finals. "We only had around two months to build our rig for the competition," he claimed. The two drivers from the Pampanga Off-Roaders Club Inc (PORCI), who will be driving a Land Cruiser FJ40, will face a 10-day competition that involves off-road driving, vehicle winching and recovery, bushcraft, camping, mechanical skill, and survival.

Industry leader Petron Corporation once again proved its commitment to Philippine motorsports as it sends off the country's representatives to the RFC, considered as the most extreme off-road competition and the ultimate challenge for 4x4 enthusiasts. The Philippine team will be contending against 30 country teams from Asia, Europe, and the Americas in the RFC Grand Finals to be held from November 23 to December 5, 2018.

Sobrepeña and Malonzo will test not just their capabilities but also the performance of the Petron Turbo Diesel and Petron Rev-X Turbo HTP as the official fuel and engine oil for the off-road jungle adventure competition. Under the most extreme conditions of mud, rain-soaked jungle, swollen river beds, monsoon, humidity, insects, and physical hardship, the competitors can be certain that Petron Turbo Diesel and Petron Rev-X HTP are the best match to optimize the performance of their vehicles.

Petron is the official fuel and engine oil partner of the RFC Grand Finals Malaysia, as well as the Philippine Championship Race. The demands of extreme off-roading will put Petron's world-class products, particularly its Petron Turbo Diesel and Petron Rev-X Turbo HTP, to the ultimate test.

"We hope to receive support from everyone. We are asking for your prayers as we take this challenge," Sobrepeña concluded.

Meanwhile, Atty. Robby Consunji, the official Philippine representative of the RFC, gave his well wishes to Sobrepeña and Malonzo, saying that the two are in for a very tough competition and with an equally tough format.

"As a competitor team in one of the toughest motorsports in the world, Randy and Boxy, you guys are already winners over the many off-road enthusiasts around the globe. Show us the Pinoy's grit and determination to compete and complete the 10-day off-road challenge! May our Team inspire the many pinoy off-roaders to pursue the future RFC competitions for our country," he said.