Ford Ranger owner’s club completes first 4x4 expedition to Ulu Engkuah, Song
KAPIT: Sheer exhilaration and jubilation was what 60 participants of Ford Ranger Owner’s Club ( FROC) Borneo Region felt when they completed the first 4x4 expedition by land to Ulu Engkuah in Song.
Organised by FROC Borneo Region and supported by Sime Darby Auto Connexion, the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia, the three- day, two- night expedition will mark a spot in history as FROC Borneo Region had driven 120 kilometres in eight hours through the gravel route of Ngungun- Song Estate on wet and slippery surface, passed through river crossings and unexpected hilly terrains in 16 Ford Ranger pickup trucks.
“This was indeed one of the best and most successful 4x4 off-road expedition FROC Borneo Region has organised,” exclaimed an excited Martinson Banyang, organising chairperson of FROC Borneo Region.
“The team not only experienced the tough route and the terrains, but they also shared in the culture and food of the local villagers, as well as gained a greater awareness of nature conservation,” he said.
Ulu Engkuah is a remote and uncharted village located in the district of Song in Kapit. It is surrounded by lush virgin rainforest of Borneo, pristine rivers, and fresh air.
Located 120km from the main town of Kanowit, the only way to reach Ulu Engkuah is via the Rajang River, the main river of Sarawak.
Charting a route via land was tedious, but the FROC Borneo Region team received help from local villagers.
The exploration of this route also opens up development possibilities for the people of Ulu Engkuah.
“We could not have reached our destination without a reliable vehicle like the Ford Ranger that really impressed us with its smart features and tough capabilities to conquer unexpected obstacles, rivers, bumpy roads and hilly terrains,” said Martinson.
“It also introduced some new members of the team as well as the communities living there, to an alternative route to and from Ulu Engkuah.”
With the Ford Ranger’s capability to carry a tonne of payload (or 1,000kg), participating members did not have to think twice about loading up their Rangers with equipment, food and water, camping materials, and personal items for the journey.
It endured slippery uphill and downhill slopes with an inclination of 45 degrees that got its ‘ Hill Launch Assist’ feature swinging into action at the right time. Crossing through deep and shallow waters was also easy for the Ranger with its water-wading capability.
FROC Borneo Region is already planning more mentally and physically challenging, thrilling extreme off-road trips to test their Rangers and drivers to the limit with a long distance journey of 1218 hours, deep into the jungle.
Visit Ford Malaysia’s Facebook page for more photos.