All roads lead to the tricky lahar fields in an all-weather sand-and-mud course in Barangay Sindo in San Narciso, Zambales, for the Second Gov. Jun Ebdane 4x4 Offroad Challenge on Aug. 18 and 19.
Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane said the provincial government of Zambales was inspired by the success of last year’s inaugurals and are staging a follow-up event in response to the call of many of the countries off-road organizations to hold the event annually.
 “There will be new challenges for this event, not only for the professional truck racers, but for the amateurs as well, and for bikers, too,” Ebdane said. “And more racers have already registered for this year's event, in addition to those who came to compete last year.”
Eleven off-roaders organizations have so far signed up, with registration closing before flag off on Aug. 18, acccording to Eric Matibag, head of the Zambales Sports and Youth Development Office (ZSYDO).
A total of 33 drivers have taken on the challenge, including last year's winners from the Angeles 4-Wheel Drive Club Inc. Matibag said that last year, there were 23 racers who took to the tracks at the lahar field in Barangay Carael, Botolan.
The ZSYDO also said that new groups, including the Ilocos Sur 4x4 Offroaders and the Nueva Ecija Offroaders, will compete this year in two difficult tracks designed by members of the National Association of Filipino Off-Roaders.
Last year, Edison “Ton-ton” Dungca of Angeles City, bagged the crown with an overall time of five minutes and 51:40 seconds.
Ebdane also said that an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) race could also be held, depending on the response of ATV-riders' groups.
Some P200,000 in cash prizes await the winners. The governor said that the 4x4 Offroad Challenge could become an annual event and a staple attraction for Zambales's rainy days sports tourism campaign.
“The rainy season is a low time for resorts and other tourism-related establishments here. But holding events such as the off-road challenge, as well as skimboarding and surfing competitions here during this season, will help boost income generation for our local tourism industry,” Ebdane said.
“We’re doing this because Zambales has a lot of natural attractions we can bank on. Rain or shine, we know that our visitors won’t get shortchanged,” he added.
Last year’s participants — Pampanga Off-Roaders Club, San Jose del Monte 4-Wheelers, Bicol Off-Roaders Club, Land Cruiser Club of the Philippines, Santiago (Isabela) Extreme, Cauayan (Bulacan) Off-Road Club, Binangonan Rizal Off-Roaders and the Suzuki Club — are expected to return this year.