General Nakar in Quezon Province is where not only some of the most challenging terrains in the country can be found, unpredictable weather can render the jungle trail impassable in the blink of an eye. And though an adventure through the jungles of General Nakar definitely isn’t for the faint of heart, indefatigable off-roaders would wholeheartedly dedicate their mind and body to overcome the environment and arrive at their intended destinations.
Now imagine a grueling race where competitors not only face harsh environments, but also stiff competition from fellow offroaders. Such is the challenge brought upon by the Philippine Overland Expedition (PHL-OX), which is now in its 2nd year. 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.
Happening from Feb. 19 to 25, 2024 in General Nakar and Dingalan, Aurora Province, the Petron PHL-OX 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 of three rigs with six 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 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 must-haves. 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.
For 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.
Similar to the 2022 edition, vehicles in the team competition 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.
PHL-OX 2024 will officially flag off from General Nakar Municipal Hall, with each team tasked to complete multiple timed stages (TS) en route 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 a seatbelt while the vehicle is in motion, and not using gloves when winching.
A cool million
Similar to PHL-OX 2022, there will be a prize pot of P1 million, 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 teams and individual competitors for performance-related achievements.
Overland Expo
For PHL-OX camper participants, which takes place from Feb. 21 to Feb. 25, they have the choice to elevate their experience by signing up 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.
For registration details, log on to www.mototesto.com.