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RP’s Land Rover team finishes 2nd in Malaysia challenge

December 17, 2010

Team Land Rover Philippines has tallied its highest finish ever in the recently concluded Rainforest Challenge of Malaysia 2010.

The father and son tandem of Larry and Hirryan Mendiola, with the support of mechanic Dennis Javier and photographer Igor Maminta, scored a total of 2109 points to finish 2nd overall in the RFC competition held in Johor Baru.

They are 239 points shy of tying overall champion Sarawak of host Malaysia, which was among the 34 nations that competed with the Philippines.

“It shows that we’re among the best in the world already, extreme supremacy na,” said an elated Marc Soong, executive director of Land Rover Philippines Motors, Inc.

Soong accompanied Team Philippines to the 2010 edition of the Rainforest Challenge that ran from December 4 to 13. From Johor Baru, the competition led 35 teams through Segamat, Labis, Kelaung, Jemaluang and back to Johor Baru.

By day 4 in Camp 2 at Labis Forest Reserve, only 20 teams were left including Team Land Rover Philippines.

The second place finish is Team Philippines’ highest achievement since joining Rainforest competitions.

In 2005, the Philippine team wound up in 5th place. In 2006, it took 6th overall. Three years later, the team slid down to 8th place before nailing their best outing in 2010.

Unmodified car
Team Philippines utilized a Defender 90 stock model of Land Rover.

Soong took pride of the fact that his team was able to get a very high placing in the competition despite using an unmodified car.

“Kami iyong hindi pinaka-modified ang car. ‘Yong iba, makina ng Toyota, makina ng Roadster then they put it into a Land Cruiser chassis… Kami lang ‘yong almost 100 percent na stock car,” he said.

Through the shrewd maneuvering of Larry and Hirryan, the Defender 90 was able to go through 25 stages in the 10-day event.

Soong cited that there were cases wherein the cars used by other teams broke down midway in the event because of the anxiousness of their drivers.

This was not the case with Larry and his son.

“The trick is having to preserve your car. Minsan may mga nanggigigil. First stage, first try, nasisira na ‘yong kotse, said Soong.

Father and son team

Soong attributed the success to the father and son team.

He said the familiarity between Larry and his son, who are Angeles, Pampanga natives, has played a great role in their team’s victory.

“It’s nice to see the father and son team because the local dialect comes into play. Nagkakatinginan pa lang nagkakaintidihan na agad sila,” Soong said.

Larry is a veteran of 6 Rainforest Challenges and this is the first time he has teamed up with his son in the international level.

“Nagkakaintindihan kami. Pag sinabi kong ganito ang gagawin, ganito ang gagawin niya. Team work naman kami at ginagawa naman niya ang best niya para manalo,” said the 44-year-old Larry.

For the 22-year-old Hirryan, participating in such a tournament does not only require driving skills but physical stamina as well.

“Talagang ‘yong stamina natin pinagtatrabahauhan. Kelangang malakas ang resistance,” he said.

Soong cited an event stage where Hirryan’s physical strength was tested.

“I was scared nga for Hirryan. He’s a small guy,” said Soong. “There was a stage where a water pit was involved. You have to get two logs and you drive over the logs to get over the water. Hindi niya mabuhat ang logs. What he did is he jumped into the neck-high water then lifted the log from there.”

Soong said he hopes the team’s placing is a step towards eventually getting the overall championship.

“I have always said—unlike other motorsports, off-roading is a sport in which the Filipino can dominate.”

Source: http://goodnewspilipinas.com/?p=13637

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