Subaru Impreza WRX Challenge 2009 - The Asian face-off

Into its eighth year and bringing new contestants from China, Taiwan and Indonesia this year’s participants will be facing off with other regional challengers from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore.

Started since 2002, supporters of this year’s challenge can look forward to watching participants from the seven Asian countries bring their own strengths and strategies to the competition, to win the coveted grand car prize of the Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan 2.5MT, worth S$81,000 (without COE).

Seventy regional contestants, who were selected after completing a series of endurance tests and games organised by Motor Image offices in the region, will be flown to Singapore on an all-expenses-paid trip to take part in the Challenge.

To up the ante on the regional competition this year, the regional contestants will also compete for three titles and cash prizes. As Country Winner, the last standing country representative wins a cash prize equivalent, of S$1,000. The last regional contestant standing goes away with the equivalent of S$5,000 in cash and the title of Asian Winner. In an effort to build solidarity among contestants, the regional country with the longest standing time (combined from all 10 representatives of the same country) will also win the equivalent of S$10,000 in cash and the Country Team Winner title.

A total of 10 lucky Direct Entry participants have been given the opportunity to try their hand at winning the grand prize, with five contestants selected after participating in the Public Challenge at the Subaru Booth during Super Import Nights 2009. Another five individuals were picked from a Direct Entry Qualifying Draw when they purchased Subaru Parts, Accessories or Merchandise in September.

1,200 lucky callers have made it to the first qualifying round through radio call-ins which started from 21 September- 23 October 2009, The final 320 qualifying contestants who will have their right palms on the cars, will be further determined by a lucky draw to be held from 7am onwards on 31 October 2009 at Ngee Ann City’s Civic Plaza.

All 400 shortlisted contestants are expected to embark on a brutal endurance battle to outlast each other with their right palms firmly placed on the palm decals located strategically on the 10 Subaru Impreza cars. Fighting against harsh weather elements and sleep deprivation, they are only allowed a 5-minute break once every 6 hours - at 1pm, 7pm, 1am and 7am.

The current record stands at 81 hours and 32 minutes held by the 2008 winner, Singaporean, George Lee.

A qualified paramedic team and ambulance will be on standby throughout the Challenge to tend to any emergencies. Regular health checks on contestants will also be conducted to ensure that participants are well enough to continue.