PHILIPPINE OVERLAND EXPEDITION: EMBRACE THE ADVENTURE

By motoph admin on January 15, 2024

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According to an article entitled “So Fight the Brave,” which appeared in the Sunday Times Magazine on March 3, 1946, writer TD Agcaoili narrates that when General Guillermo Nakar was detained at Fort Santiago, he regularly used the thumbs up gesture to signal that “everything was okay, keep your chin up, and keep on fighting” thus uplifting the spirit of the inmates.

General Nakar, Quezon is home not only to some of the most challenging terrains in the country, its unpredictable weather can render the jungle trail unpassable in a blink of an eye. An adventure through the jungles of General Nakar definitely isn’t one for the weak-hearted but for the resilient and brave, off-roaders and adventurers who will never give up until they cross the finish line.

Now on its 2nd year, the Philippine Overland Expedition (PHL-OX) 2024 is guaranteed to take extreme 4×4 racing and overlanding to the next level, with the introduction of more challenging obstacles, the inclusion of international-spec 4×4 rigs, and the opportunity for non-competitors to experience General Nakar like never before. PHL-OX 2024 is truly an adventure for the brave.

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Happening from February 19 to 25, 2024 in General Nakar, Quezon, and Dingalan, Aurora, the Petron Philippine Overland Expedition will not only include technical multi-stage segments designed to challenge each competitors’ driving and survival skills, but will also include an expedition that will give camper participants the chance to traverse the very same jungle trail that the competition convoy will take to Dingalan, Aurora.

COMPETITOR RIGS

Participants may opt to join the Team Competition as a group comprised of three (3) rigs with six (6) competitors. But unlike in the maiden edition where competitor teams were required to use production vehicles with slight modifications, competitors can now include prototype and modified rigs provided a team has a minimum of 1 production vehicle and a maximum of one prototype vehicle.

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Prototype rigs are heavily modified race rigs built to compete in highly technical 4×4 competitions. There are no restrictions in terms of the engine type and body structure for these types of vehicles, provided they adhere with the safety guidelines of the competition. Windshield, firewall, and functioning electrical systems are musts. Modified rigs on the other hand are production units that have been customized in terms of body size and engine type while retaining the production look of the vehicle.

With regards to the Prototype and Modified category vehicles, special emphasis will be given to driver safety in addition to vehicle set up and capabilities, with rig specifications used in international 4×4 competitions to be followed.

For the Team Competition, similar to 2022, participating vehicles must have full recovery and river crossing capacity; hence winch and snorkels are required. Each team must also be self-reliant, bringing with them provisions such as food, water, power source, as well as critical vehicle spare parts and supplies.

For PHL-OX 2024, the event will officially flag off from the General Nakar Municipal Hall in Quezon province, with each competitor team tasked to complete multiple timed stages (TS), enroute to the final challenge in Dingalan, Aurora.

Timed stages are man-made and natural tracks designed to test each competitor’s off-road driving, navigation, and recovery skills.

The team with the fastest time to complete each TS will receive maximum points. Penalty points will be deducted should a competitor fail to adhere to certain safety guidelines such as not wearing of seatbelt while the vehicle is in motion, and not using gloves when winching.

Team Ironman was the winner of the first ever Petron Philippine Overland Expedition

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Similar to PHL-OX 2022, there will be a prize pot of P1,000,000 with the champion team taking home P500,000. The 2nd and 3rd placers will receive P200,000 and P100,000 respectively. Special Awards will also be given to select Competitor Teams and individual competitors for performance-related achievements during the competition.

PH OVERLAND EXPO

For camper participants of the PH OVERLAND EXPO, which takes place from Feb. 21 – Feb. 25, they have the option to elevate their PHLOX experience by joining as a full-time camper / spectator, tagging along the competition convoy from Campsite 1 in Masanga Point all the way to Campsite 2 in Dingalan, Aurora.

Full-time campers may opt to take NLEX to Dingalan, or via Machine Gun Hill trail to Umiray, General Nakar, the same route that will be taken by competitor teams. Those who wish to join the competition convoy will be required to submit their vehicle for inspection on Feb. 20th.

Campers also have the option to join the event as camper / spectator in either the Masanga Point or Dingalan campsite only.

PHL-OX 2024 is co-organized by MOTOTESTO OVERLAND EQUIPMENT PHILIPPINES and ALL TRACTION PERFORMANCE, and is made possible with the support of PETRON CORPORATION, MOTOLITE, ARB 4×4 PHILIPPINES, BUSHRANGER, and SECOND AIR.

HOW TO REGISTER

Be part of this epic adventure! Visit www.mototesto.com to register. At the end of the day, fortune favors the bold and the brave!

*Written by: Neil Palabrica

SCHEDULE

COMPETITION

DATE: February 20 to 25, 2024

FLAG OFF: General Nakar Municipal Hall, Quezon

CAMPSITES: Masanga Point, General Nakar and Dingalan, Aurora

OVERLAND JAMBOREE

DATE: February 21 to 25, 2024

CAMPSITES: Masanga Point, General Nakar and Dingalan, Aurora

EVENT SCHEDULE