Four hundred participants from around the region have their hands on their prizes, literally, holding on to it for as long as they can starting today at Ngee Ann City, Singapore. But only one will emerge as the grand prize winner, driving home a brand new Subaru XV!
The endurance ‘race’ began at 1pm earlier today, as all participants from Singapore, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia placed their right palm on ten Subaru XVs. 320 participants from Singapore, while the remaining are the top 10 winners from their respective countries.
The challenge was introduced in year 2002 as an endurance competition, participants place their right palm on a Subaru car within the surface area of the palm decal, through day and night until one last participant remains. A 5-minute break is given in every six hour, at 1pm, 7pm, 1am and 7am each day. One family member of each participant is allowed to enter the arena at the 7pm break.
This year, additional rest breaks ruling is introduced whereby supporters can take part in an online game at http://www.carchallenge2015.com. The top 10 game scorers will win the supported participant an extra 5-minute break, at 10am, 4pm, 10pm and 4am. Let’s show our Malaysian representatives some love!
In the 2014 challenge, grand prize winner G. Jaishanker from Singapore battled through 82 hours and 16 minutes, breaking the previous record of 81 hours and 32 minutes set in 2008. His perseverance won him a brand new Subaru Forester 2.0L.
The Malaysian contingent comprises of experienced participants – Tan Chuan Kok, 40 (6th time participating), Tan Hong Sheng, 35 (5th time), Chang Wei Khang, 33 (4th time), Sathivale A/L Sundrammorthy, 41 (3rd time) and Mihammad Afif Bin Drani, 29 (3rd time), Tan Chuan Meng, 35 (2nd time), Mohd Fadhlly Bin R. Azmi (2nd time) and Ronesh Biswas A/L Bisanuth Biswas, 32 (2nd time). It is Vimalnath A/L Francis, 21 and Subramaniam A/L Gunasegaran, 35 first time participating in the final leg in Singapore. I’m sure they have a better formula to win it this time!
“Over the years, we have seen numerous contestants battle it out for the final prize of a Subaru car, and they have all displayed tenacity and perseverance, traits that resonate with values of the Subaru brand – endurance, longevity and durability.” said Glenn Tan, Executive Director of Tan Chong International Ltd.
Due to the recent haze situation, the organizer built a canopy over the area with fans and air conditioning. So, do expect last year’s record to be broken this time around.
The last man standing will drive away in a Subaru XV 1.6L I-S worth up to S$115,000 (including COE for the first time in the challenge’s history), plus S$5,000 worth of free fuel from Shell.
In addition to that, participants will also compete for other titles – Country Winner, the final standing representative of each country walks away with S$1,000 cash. Asian Winner, the last standing regional contestant gets an additional S$5,000 cash. Country Team Winner, the country with the longest combined standing time wins S$10,000 cash, equally divided among the team.
In conjunction with Halloween this weekend, visitors to Ngee Ann City will get to experience The Walking Dead Live Showcase! And they stand a chance to win a pair of tickets to Comic Con 2016 in the USA.
Stick around for the latest news on the MediaCorp Subaru Car Challenge 2015, reporting live from Singapore!
IMAGE GALLERY
