4x4 Extreme Challenge competitors reveal adventurous trail-blazing possibilities of 4x4 vehicles
MOSSEL BAY – It was a day of muddy excitement for 4x4 enthusiasts the past weekend when the third round of the Western Cape Challenge Club’s (WCCC) 4x4 Extreme Challenge took place at Rheebok Bricks on Saturday.
Competitors in this regionally contested 4x4 Extreme Series on Saturday tackled 12 specially designed obstacles that tested their 4x4 skill and knowledge in typical off-road terrains with dirt, dust, mud and mountain being at the order of the day.
To help minimise the environmental impact of the event, all obstacles were set up in old quarry mines and brickfields just outside Mossel Bay. This however posed its own set of challenges to the competitors as it required split-second decision making, concentration and determination to navigate their way through the range of obstacles.
The winners in each category on Saturday walked away with valuable points behind their name going into the next event to be held in Robertson in September. The final round will take place in Paarl.
In its 15th year of being a leading 4x4 event in the Southern Cape, the WCCC 4x4 Extreme Challenge has grown significantly. The Series is now contested over a total of five regional events held in Melkbos, Paarl, Robertson, Albertinia and Mossel Bay, while the final is held as a national event.
Saturday’s event drew a large number of spectators from Mossel Bay and the surrounding areas. One of the obstacle sponsors, the locally based franchise Hi-Q Mossel Bay, was particularly impressed with the turn-out at the event.
“The popularity of the event has grown tremendously over the years with more participants and spectators taking part in the competition. Despite the sporting events that took place on the day, the turn-out was good” said Peter Bester, co-owner of Hi-Q Mossel Bay.
Bester and his business partner Francois van der Walt became involved with the event last year after they were approached by one of their clients who takes part in the 4x4 Extreme Challenge. This year they once again threw their weight behind the event by becoming a major sponsor of Saturday’s event in Mossel Bay as well as the second round event held in Albertinia in May this year.
With Hi-Q being one of the key suppliers of tyres and full undercarriage services for specialist vehicles like 4x4s, Bester said they found the WCCC 4x4 Extreme Challenge the ideal platform for the Hi-Q franchise to keep up to date with the needs of their customers.
“It was an opportunity for Hi-Q Mossel Bay to interact with the users of the tyres we sell and learn about their requirements in this specific market,” Bester said.
The format of the WCCC 4x4 Extreme Challenge events features four categories of 4x4 vehicles namely Classes A, B, C and D. Every driver in each class is required to complete all twelve event obstacles throughout the day. As the drivers progress, the obstacles become more and more challenging and points are awarded based on their performance and skill in each of the challenges.
The focus during the day during Saturday’s event was not only on high-action 4x4 manoeuvring from the competitors but also on informing the 4x4 community and interested parties of the most recent developments in the field.
“We received a significant number of enquiries during and after the event about our newest product ranges, especially the latest tyres for 4x4 vehicles,” said Van der Walt of Hi-Q Mossel Bay.
Spectators who came to join in on the action during the event in Mossel Bay were given the opportunity to drive with the competitors on the last obstacle challenge of the day. Much to the excitement of spectators, the challenge required competitors to steer through muddy terrain which engaged both passengers and spectators in a truly authentic muddy off-road experience.
The event was open to all prospective competitors in possession of a Motorsport South Africa licence. Motorsport South Africa also acts as the official affiliate of the Series to ensure that the strictest safety rules are adhered to for both competitors and spectators in all events.
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