A LOCAL TEAM consisting of nine intrepid 4×4 enthusiasts and incidental filmmakers, is set to take on what is said to be the toughest and most exacting off-roading competition in the world, the 2005 Rainforest Challenge. For ten days, competitors from over 30 countries will pit themselves against the worst that the Malaysian rainforest has to throw at them, not counting the fierce North East monsoon. While our boys will be filming for ESPN and not actually competing, keeping up should be a tall enough order.

The Rainforest Challenge has been held annually since 1997, and has grown in size and scope each subsequent year. This year’s event, to be held over ten days from this weekend, will be captured for the first time on High-Definition video.

As mentioned above, the film crew, headed by director David Tulley, won’t be having things easy. “Not only are we filming a documentary, we’ve actually got to have off-roading skills as well. It’s very important to have people who’ve driven Land Rovers and who understand off-road techniques,” says Mr Tulley. Therefore, the whole team has been assembled with off-roading expertise in mind, in addition to filmmaking expertise.

Ray Hyland, a die-hard off-roading fanatic, and one of the three Defender owners who have volunteered their cars for the event out of sheer enthusiasm, chips in, “this is the world’s toughest off-road race, it makes the Camel Trophy look like a walk in the park. There’s no money involved, just glory.

“A lot of competitors don’t finish the race the first time but for us because we’re filming it, we’ve got to make it through. That’s why we’re building the cars the way we are,” continues Mr Hyland. The team has made significant modifications to the three Defenders, mostly by way of reinforcements, making sure that the vehicles are as tough as possible. As they won’t be competing, the emphasis has been on longevity and endurance over outright speed.

In this respect the team has been aided greatly by local Land Rover distributor, Regent Motors, which has lent the team the expertise of their top Land Rover technicians as well as all the necessary workshop time. The team has also received proper sanction from Team Singapore Motorsports, In addition to their filmmaking duties, the team will be putting together a feasibility study for Team Singapore, to determine how to mount an official attempt for future Rainforest Challenges.