Two tracks that are expected to squeeze the most out of even from the best of them await close to three-dozen protagonists in the 2nd Gov. Jun Ebdane 4x4 Offroad Challenge that gets going today and tomorrow in San Narciso, Zambales.
The all-weather sand-and-mud tracks in Barangay Sindol proved worthy of their billing for having weathered the torrential rains that wrought havoc in Luzon’s western seaboard. As a reuslt, the event will also be highlighted by a first-of-a-kind demonstration on the use of 4x4 offroad vehicles for rescue and relief operations in times of disasters.
Edison “Ton-ton” Dungca of Angeles City will be back to defend the crown he won in the 2011 inaugurals staged on a similarly demanding track in Barangay Carael, Botolan.
Dungca is expected to face still challenges from offroad regulars and up-and-coming faces from the 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, Suzuki Club, Ilocos Sur 4x4 Offroaders and Nueva Ecija Offroaders, among others.
Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane and son, Rep. Omar Ebdane, will flag off the event at 8 a.m. today. Competitions are expected to wrap up just before sundown, with the final runs slated tomorrow.
Late registrations are accepted before flag off, according to Eric Matibag, head of the organizing Zambales Sports and Youth Development Office. There will also be a separate category for Zambaleno drivers, who will take on the challenge of the tracks designed by members of the National Association of Filipino Off-Roaders.