PHL-OX gears up for second year of overlanding thrills
BUILDING on the success of its inaugural year, the Philippine Overland Expedition: Pacific Coast Challenge (PHL-OX) is gearing up for another thrilling off-road adventure. Set against the challenging terrains of General Nakar in Quezon province, over a hundred overlanding rigs are poised to explore the newly transformed jungle trails, presenting an entirely new level of challenge from its 2022 counterpart.
Taking place from Feb. 19 to 25, 2024, the event will kick off at the General Nakar Municipal Hall, marking the commencement of both the timed stages competition and the jamboree.
In an exclusive interview with PHLOX event director Tim Tuazon, we gained insights into the enhancements made for this year’s event. Tuazon shared that the route has been tweaked to heighten excitement for participants and campers alike. “Last time, we did the Aurora to Quezon route, with 30-percent uphill and 70-percent downhill. Now, we’ll be reversing that route, extending the ascent to add more excitement for participants,” he explained.
Tuazon emphasized that the challenging river crossings from the inaugural PHL-OX will still be part of this year’s route. However, he cautioned that returning participants should not assume familiarity, stating, “The course has significantly changed. Natural alterations to the route will undoubtedly challenge the competitors.”
For jamboree participants, Tuazon reassured that tough obstacles are reserved for timed stage competitors. “We’re creating a bypass route that is shallower for the campers. They will be excluded from the extreme parts of the route. The jamboree will take a milder yet exciting route for the expedition.”
Recognizing the diversity of vehicles used by campers, PHL-OX is open to vans and 4x2s. Tuazon clarified, “The Nakar side is for 4x4 vehicles only, while the Dingalan side can be taken by 4x2 vehicles.”
In terms of competition, slight modifications have been made to the Team Competition requirements. A group must now comprise three off-road rigs with six participants, including a driver and co-driver in each rig. Notably, PHL-OX now allows prototype and modified off-road rigs to participate in the timed stages, following international 4x4 competition regulations with a focus on driver safety.
Similar to its inaugural edition, this year’s PHL-OX will award prizes worth P1 million. The overall champion team stands to win P500,000, with P200,000 and P100,000 going to the second- and third-place finishers, respectively. Special awards winners will also receive monetary prizes.
For off-road enthusiasts keen on participating, registrations for both the competition and jamboree are still open. Visit www.mototesto.com for further details and registration information.