Subaru Challenge Update: Winner sets new record

Mr George Lee, 29, a civil servant, lasted more than 81 hours to be crowned this year's MediaCorp Radio Subaru Impreza Challenge champion. Beating last year's record set by Ms Sandra Yeow, he danced and swayed to every tune played at the Civic Plaza to keep his muscles warm and his mind alert throughout the four days of the Challenge.

Crowned at 11:32pm yesterday evening, the 2008 champion has set a new Challenge record, with an official time of 81 hours and 32 minutes, after taking into consideration the 46-minute rain break on Sunday.

Said an ecstatic Lee, "I'm just so happy to have been able to satisfy my own personal goal. My family and friends have been so supportive and have stayed with me throughout this gruelling experience. This is truly a test of endurance and mental tenacity."

Lee, who was immediately congratulated by his wife and baby daughter, walked away with a brand new Subaru Impreza WRX 2.5MT Hatchback worth S$80,000 (without COE) as well as S$3,000 worth of SPC petrol vouchers.

Runner-up, Ms Mary Tan, 35, and a mother of two boys, who was very strong-willed and stately in appearance, eventually succumbed to fatigue, when her hand slipped off her palm print. She said, "The most difficult part was the last couple of hours when my mind kept wandering, but I kept thinking of my two boys and just pressed on." For her effort, Tan will receive S$2,000 worth of SPC petrol vouchers.

Mr Glenn Tan, Group Chief Executive of Motor Image Enterprises, said, "It's amazing that the record was broken in 81 hours and 32 minutes. This is such a commendable effort. All 397 contestants, including our regional participants should also be very proud of themselves for being able to withstand such a tough test."

This year's Challenge has been the wettest ever and is also the first time that regional contestants have been included.

Said Ms Dahlia Zainuddin, Vice President of English Programming, MediaCorp Radio, "This year has been the most encouraging year with the participation of our regional friends from Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Philippines. We hope to further expand this to include more countries next year."

A formal prize presentation ceremony will be held today at the Motor Image Subaru showroom at Leng Kee Road.