Team Land Rover Philippines successful in the China - Sanya International Offroad 4x4 Challenge

Team Land Rover Philippines brought home the top prize for the electric winch category in the China-Sanya International Off-road 4x4 challenge last 19 -23 September 2009. It is the signature event from the founder of the Rainforest Challenge (RFC) - the world's most internationally represented 4x4 events; and is the number 1 extreme off-road jungle event and the F1 of 4x4. It was a record breaking event for "Team Land Rover Philippines" as it is their first time to join the said event with great magnitude.

Team Land Rover Philippines who was powered by veteran off-roaders Hilario "typhoon Larry" Mendiola (driver) and Sergio "Atoy" Jamilla (co-driver/winchman) fought valiantly to bring home the championship in the electric winch category. Team Land Rover Philippines also won a special award called the "First Island Entry Award" given to the first foreign team to make it into Sanya and placed fifth in the overall category.

In Summary: 40 Teams from Europe and Asia registered for the event, 33 finished the Prologue Special Stage, 22 reached the Bao Long Mountains base camp, 13 vehicles were deemed capable of to join the Adventure Route and only the Philippine and Malaysian team made it through to camp 3. Because of the severity of the conditions of the Adventure Route, it was named the "Twilight Zone" Stage, providing the most punishing conditions, not just because of the ferocious rain storms but of the sheer number of leeches as well. It was so rough that the last day of racing was canceled and vehicles were being rescued up to 4 weeks after the race.

Team Land Rover Philippines is composed of: Hilario "Larry" Mendiola(Driver); Sergio "Atoy" Jamila III(Co-Driver); Dennis Javier(Technical Advisor); Marvin Roxas(Mechanic/Cameraman); Robby Consuji(RFC Representative Philippines); Marc Soong(Sponsor, Land Rover Philippines); and Beeboy Bargas(BBC Top Gear Philippines)

Team Land Rover Philippines bagged three awards: Overall Champion in the Electric Winch Category, First Entry Island Award, and Ranked 5th in the Overall Official Results

"Team Land Rover Philippines" will join the Rainforest Challenge 2009 Malaysia on 05-14 December 2009 to be held at Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Team Land Rover Philippines would not have been possible without: LRPHILS MOTORS INC.; Formula Sports, Inc; Bilstein Shock Absorbers; Columbia Sportswear; Concept One; MAA General Assurance Philippines; Speedlab; SuperPro Poly Bushings; BBC Top Gear Philippines magazine; and Warn Winch.