Peyra, Dungca triumph over mud, boulders

SAN FELIPE, Zambales, Philippines  – Roger Peyra of Bicol Offroaders Club and Omer Dungca of Angeles City 4-Wheel Drive Club showed that neither age nor disability could hinder them from duking it out with younger, more abled competitors in 4x4 racing.

Peyra, a 58-year-old businessman, and Dungca, a deaf-mute, led a handful of competitors who successfully navigated through the obstacles of the punishing tracks at Barangay Sindol, to emerge as the drivers to beat in the second Gov. Jun Ebdane 4x4 Offroad Challenge Saturday.

Flagging off deep in the start list, Peyra and his crew used the opportunity to read and analyze the vicious Track A that left many others stranded and forced to DNF (did not finish) marks. He covered the tough course in 21 minutes, 3.91 seconds to the applause of an appreciative crowd longing to see someone finally emerge from the demanding obstacles and reach the finish line inside the 25-minute cutoff.

Not to be outdone, Dungca hurdled Track A’s deep, muddy and wet obstacles, topped off a five-foot high mound of tires and a 10-foot mound of sand dubbed “Governor’s Hill” negotiating the unforgiving course designed by the National Association of Filipino Off-Roaders in 21:52.91.

“Being among the last to start, we’re able to monitor how the early birds navigated the track and we’re able to get a better idea of the layout and make adjustments,” Peyra, who was the eighth to start, said in Filipino.

Peyra and Dungca were the only ones among 11 competitors who successfully finished Track A of the P200,000 event.

The relatively tamer Track B proved more navigable as seven of 13 offroaders skillfully drove their way to the finish line.

They were led by John Sambo of Pampanga Offroaders Club, who submitted a quick 5:08.29, and Ambet Nicolas of Del Monte 4-Wheeler who logged 7:31.90.

Other Track B conquerors were Resty Simbilad of the Suzuki Club of the Philippines (12:56.00), Arthur Sicat of the Angeles City 4Wheelers Drive Club (15:49.87), Rey Herrera of the Del Monte 4-Wheeler (16:14.41) and Ramir Nonato of the Suzuki Club of the Philippines (20:24.19).

“ The tracks have been a big test for the offroaders, but finally, their skills and machines were victorious,” said Ebdane, who earlier flagged off the two-day event, highlight of Zambales’ rainy days sports activities.

Those who registered DNFs in their first runs were given times of 25 minutes plus 10 minutes penalty and additional one-minute penalty per obstacle left unhurdled.

The field will next switch over to the other track for the remainder of the eliminations, with their clockings on the two tracks combined to determine the 20 qualifiers to the finals.

So many were the racers who yielded to the unforgiving tracks that Saturday’s elims spilled over to yesterday afternoon. Peyra and Dungca were tackling Track B on a rainy Sunday at presstime.