PODI TEAM EMERGE CHAMPS AT RED BULL TUK IT
The Tuk Tuk rally is here to stay and the latest event to be held was the Red Bull Tuk It which saw the participation of 720 (240 Tuk-tuks comprising of three member team in each).
The gruelling event which covered two provinces bracing 20 cities and raced over 190 kilometres started off from the Talduwa Kelani Valley Sports ground with the participants having to face 15 challenges before reaching the ultimate distance in Nuwara Eliya.
The rally which lasted a groping 21 hours tested all 240 teams as they battled
fatigue, emotions and challenges of the terrain whilst treading rivers, gravel tracks and the steep hills.
The gruelling event saw the Podi Team from the Sabaragamuwa Province after their stand out performance blazing their way amidst the difficulties to emerge champions, following them in second place was Team Eksath Threeroda Sangamaya while Team Ambalangoda secured the third place. Team Pink Lions from Maharagama were awarded the prize of being the most creative Tuk-tuk.
From the first stage onwards, Podi Team from the Sabaragamuwa Province took on a more strategic and calculated path throughout the rally, as they remained calm and followed route instructions allowing them to gain the most points. Completing 90 per cent of the tasks set throughout the rally, Podi Team pulled to the top of the pack, and from the final checkpoint at the Ambewela New Zealand Farm to Nuwara Eliya they picked up the pace as they saw the end line.
The leader of the champion Podi team said,“we are so excited to win. The tasks and the route of Red Bull Tuk It was very challenging for us, both physically and mentally including the fact that the race started at midnight which added to the difficulty. However, the whole team played their part well from the navigators who sat in the back to the driver and all of us knew and our aim was a podium finish whatever the difficulty we have to undergo.” He further added, “It took us a long time to get to the first task and we were a bit nervous about making mistakes during the challenges but we just kept pushing and I guess it turned out well for us. Overall, I think this was a really good result and a great rally and an unforgettable experience for us, especially the Kithulgala stage. This had to be our favourite portion of the competition concluding that we are definitely looking forward to taking part next year and defending our title.”
Red Bull Tuk It is a rally style challenge that utilises Sri Lanka’s most used form of transportation — the Tuk-tuk, while allowing teams to take in the iconic beauty of Sri Lanka.
The course is not necessarily physical, but by accomplishing tasks, which are a combination of active adventure, getting to grips with tasks of local traditions and then the ultimate satisfaction of reaching the end, brings the essence of what the project is about. The course this year consisted of three stages, 15 challenges and 12 checkpoints from Avissawella to Nuwara Eliya.