Indika-Navin for Malaysian 4x4 Challenge 2009

Bernard PERERA

Sri Lankan drivers specially the young ones have taken up the 4 x 4 challenge in a serious manner. With many kinds of 4 x 4 vehicles reaching the land, enthusiasm was very high for this sport. Within a very short period of time with Indika Mahesh Sanjaya and Navin Marapone did extremely well in the year 2007.

The duo who took to this sport in the year 2004 did well not only in the local scene but also on foreign soil. Their first try at international level was in the year 2005 competing in the Malaysian 4 x 4 challenge series. They failed to achieve success in their first attempt, said Indika speaking to Daily News.

Indika and Navin who are experts on motor mechanics specialised on jeeps and trucks category were determined to achieve great heights in this year's event with the experiences they gained in the previous outings.

He said competing in this event in Malaysia is a very costly affair as we have to bear up all costs in transporting our vehicle and preparing to stay outdoors for almost two weeks.

The event itself is a real task to prove the worthiness of the vehicle and as well the skills in controlling the event for two weeks.

Once the event starts the driver and the co-driver have a big testing time to stay in good physique under trying conditions. They have to cover nearly 160 kms and he said that there are certain days where they fail to drive through even 50 km.

Maintaining the health is very important here, according to Indika and Navin. They have no proper place to even sleep and no food available. Everything have to be stored for these days. While on tour some places in the jungle are so soggy and have spend the nights inside the vehicle itself.

If it happens to be rainy conditions it becomes worse, said Indika. Anyway our aim this year is to outdrive all competitors from nearly 40 countries expected to participate, said Indika. Adding further he said that competing in this sort of events also has many dangers as we are not capable of having any outside contacts. Technical problems and other incidental matters have to be sorted out ourselves as others are not able to help you in anyway during the event.

As such entering a competition of this nature needs lot of commitment and dedication if you are to be a participant here, said Indika just before their departure to Malaysia. At present we are in good condition and hope to maintain the same throughout the event to bring glory to our motherland.