Local News: Super Impreza Challenge Is Back

Into its ninth year, this year will see 10 new challengers from Vietnam. They will face-off with contenders from the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Taiwan and Singapore in the biggest regional endurance challenge yet.

A joint initiative by Motor Image Enterprises and MediaCorp Pte Ltd, the challenge began in 2002. Supporters of this year’s challenge can look forward to watching participants from the nine Asian countries bring their own strengths and strategies to the competition, to win the coveted grand car prize of the Subaru Impreza 2.5 MT Sedan, worth S$98,800 (without COE).

All 80 of the regional contestants who were selected after completing a series of endurance tests and games organised by Motor Image offices in the region, will be flown to Singapore on an all-expenses-paid trip to take part in the Challenge.

This year, two cars will be allocated to the regional contestants. Instead of being grouped together by country like in the past challenges, the regional contestants will randomly draw their palm decal numbers to determine the positions of their palms by chance for the Challenge this year. This will be a welcome change, as the positions of the palm decals lend strategic play to contestants.

To up the ante for the regional contestants, there will be an addition of three titles and cash prizes for regional contestants to compete for. The title of Country Winner will go to the standing representative of each participating regional country, with a cash prize equivalent of S$1,000. The last regional contestant standing will win the Asian Winner title and walk away with the equivalent of S$5,000 in cash. The Country Team Winner title with the equivalent of S$10,000 in cash will be awarded to the country that holds the longest standing time (combined from all 10 representatives of the same country).

This year, 3 lucky hopefuls will qualify directly for the Challenge via participation in an online activity on Motor Image’s “I LOVE SUBARU” Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/ILOVESUBARU

1,200 lucky callers, who are 18 years old and above, will call in to MediaCorp’s Gold 90.5FM, Class 95FM or 987FM from 20 September - 22 October 2010 to enter the first qualifying round. The final 320 qualifying contestants, who will have their right palms on the cars, will be further determined by a draw that will be held on 30 October 2010 at Ngee Ann City’s Civic Plaza.

“As Motor Image Group expands rapidly into the region, the Subaru Impreza Challenge which is into its ninth year now has evolved into a regional competition involving countries that Motor Image has a presence in. We’re pleased that Vietnam joins us this year to compete in this gruelling challenge of the mind and body and am confident they will add a new dimension to the game,” said Ms Hannah Tan, Regional Marketing Manager of Motor Image Group.

All 400 shortlisted contestants will give their best to outlast each other. They are expected to endure harsh weather conditions, sleep deprivation, and to concentrate on placing their right palms firmly within the surface area of the palm decals on the Subaru Impreza cars. They are only allowed a 5-minute break once every 6 hours - at 1pm, 7pm, 1am and 7am.

Last year’s winner was Mohammed Anuar, a 40-year-old Singaporean steersman who checked in 77 hours and 43 minutes of standing time. The current record stands at 81 hours and 32 minutes held by the 2008 winner, Singaporean, George Lee.

“Once again, we’re very pleased to be working with Motor Image Group in organising the Subaru Impreza Challenge. The challenge has a strong presence around the region, and we’re happy to be part of it,” said Mr Steven Choo, Assistant Vice President of English Programming, Radio Division, MediaCorp Pte Ltd.

A qualified paramedic team and ambulance will be on standby throughout the Challenge to tend to any emergencies. Regular health checks on contestants will also be conducted to ensure that participants are well enough to continue.

Members of the public can show their support for contestants by logging on to http://carchallenge2010.mediacorp.sg/encouragement.asp to send in words of encouragement via the text messaging system. The messages will be displayed on an LED screen during the event.

The competition kicks off at 1pm on Saturday, 30 October at Ngee Ann City’s Civic Plaza. For more information and updates, please visit out official website at http://carchallenge2010.mediacorp.sg/.

Credits: wilswong