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2024 Petron Philippine Overland Expo promises the most exciting off-road week full of thrills for the brave adrenaline seeker

By Randy
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January 17, 2024

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 4x4 racing and overlanding to the next level, with the introduction of more challenging obstacles, the inclusion of international-spec 4x4 rigs, and the opportunity for non-competitors to experience General Nakar like never before. PHL-OX 2024 is truly an adventure for the brave.

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. 

Prototype rigs are heavily modified race rigs built to compete in highly technical 4x4 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 4x4 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.

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About the Author

Randolph de Leon
Randy is a person with disability (PWD), a partially-blinded person with only his left eye functioning. Since childhood, the automobile has always been his passion, and is able to express it through photography and most recently, through writing as well. Outside the motoring beat, Randy spends time manning the media aspect of his business which he co-founded with his sister/college classmate. It's called Dragonlight Wellness and Solutions, a multi-business venture centering on improving peoples' lives through earning.