Land Rover Middle East and Africa has unveiled details of a new global adventure challenge that will kick off in 2003. The annual Land Rover G4 Challenge builds on the brand’s adventure lineage and will feature competitors from 16 nations in an off-road driving and multi-sport challenge against a backdrop of some of the world’s most stunning scenery.
The Land Rover G4 Challenge, named because it comprises four consecutive global stages, each in a different time zone, starts in New York City on March 30, 2003, and covers around 4,000 miles over five weeks of intense competition.
The Challenge features stages on the East and West Coasts of North America, in addition to Australia and South Africa, traveling through remote areas as well as urban centers such as Quebec, Cape Town, Sydney and Las Vegas.
One competitor from each participating nation will be selected to represent their country in the Challenge from the thousands who are expected to apply throughout the recruitment process, according to a company press release. Competitors will have to demonstrate their abilities as bi-national team players by working with a different teammate during each Challenge stage.
“The Land Rover G4 Challenge will be the adventure of a lifetime,” commented Matt McClurg, marketing manager of Land Rover Middle East and Africa. “In line with our philosophy of inspiring and delivering adventure for everyone, entry is free. Although a higher than average standard of physical fitness is important, the Challenge is more about international teamwork, clever strategic thinking and a positive ‘up for it’ attitude than out-and-out strength or stamina.”
“It is also about being environmentally responsible,” he continued. “In each Challenge location, we are working closely with environmental agencies, state and local authorities to ensure the impact of our activities is kept to a minimum, preventing conflict with other Land Rover environmental initiatives, such as Tread Lightly. Additionally, much of the competitive activity will take place in urban centers, where the Land Rover G4 Challenge will be accessible to many more people.”
Applicants from the region will be invited to participate in the initial assessment trials that will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Oman and Qatar. The four top competitors will then go forward to the regional final in Dubai to be held mid-December. Here the two strongest competitors will be chosen to represent the region at the international selection process in Spain in January 2003 at which the final champion will be selected to represent the Arabia team in the Land Rover G4 Challenge.
All four Land Rover vehicles—Range Rover, Discovery, Freelander and Defender—painted in specially commissioned ‘Tangiers Orange’, will feature on the Challenge, each demonstrating its off-road capability to the full across daunting terrain. All the vehicles will feature specialist expedition equipment fitted off-line to enable the competitors to ‘live’ in their Land Rover during weeklong Challenge stages. The vehicles must also be capable of carrying the multitude of equipment—kayaks, mountain bikes and climbing kit—which the competitors will need to complete the Challenge. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
