Team PH Completes 10-day Extreme Off-Road Competition in Malaysia

Team Philippines competed and completed the toughest off-road motorsport in the world—the Rainforest Challenge (RFC) Grand Finals 2018 in Kota Bahru, Kelantan, Malaysia. The RFC is one of the top ten toughest motor races in the world. This annual event is staged in the treacherous jungles of Malaysia where driving skills and 4x4 off-road vehicles are put to the test. The Philippine team composed of driver Eduardo “Randy” Sobrepeña and co-driver Boxy Malonzo, both from San Fernando City, Pampanga, raced against 28 country teams from Russia, China, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Czech Republic, Korea, Ecuador, Vietnam, and Thailand from November 23 to December 4. The team competed in a modified Land Cruiser FJ40 in the Modified Production Category with 14 competitors. The other 14 competitors are in the Prototype Category. Sobrepeña and Malonzo showed us the Filipino spirit and strength in the grueling competition which tested their skills in off-road driving. After finishing 32 special stages and two twilight zone transport stages, Team Philippines earned a total score of 1,642 points and landed in the 5th place Modified Production Category during the closing awards at Gua Musang. The Philippine team finished with top bracket standings in 12 out of 32 special stages. The team also received the special award and distinction as the “Most Up and Coming Team” for demonstrating great winning potential for a first timer to enter the race. Here are list of the RFC Grand Finals Winners: Modified Production Category 1 st Place Champion – Team 117, Malaysia Vietnam; 3,285 points total 2 nd Place – Team 125, Malaysia Team Terbang; 3,093 points 3 rd Place – Team 118, Malaysia Team KJSM; 2,726 points 4 th Place – Team 122, Malaysia Kelantan Thailand; 2,447 points 5 th Place – Team 123, Philippines; 1,642 points Prototype Category 1 st Place Champion – Team 104, Russia Vladivostok; 3,095 points total 2 nd Place – Team 105, Russia Ussuriysk; 3,056 points 3 rd Place – Team 138, Malaysia Team GT 4x4; 2,967 points 4 th Place – Team 103, Russia Sakhalin; 2,902 points 5 th Place – Team 111, Russia Caucassus; 2,723 points