Nissan Patrol dominates 4x4 Adventure Trophy 2010 Cross-country rally

The 4x4 Adventure Trophy 2010, which takes competitors all over the country, was held in Sri Lanka recently with wide participation from local and international drivers.

The event covering 850 kilometres across the island over five nights and six days, saw some of the most renowned brands of vehicles ranging from Land Rovers, Jeeps, Toyotas and Nissan Patrols competing in challenging areas which were almost impossible to drive in.

Out of the 16 vehicles that participated only 9 were able to complete the race due the extreme conditions and torrential rain.

The event started with a rally in Colombo and continued to many exciting places in Sri Lanka such as Horana where the vehicles had to drive through difficult terrain on muddy and grave tracks and then on to Kahawatte and Samanalawewa where the competitors camped close to the reservoir, Balangoda Kalupahana and Bambarakanda falls — the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka where a special stage was performed (SS), back to Balangoda and through Diyaluma and Wellawaya where four special stages were performed, Moneragala, Maligawila, crossing an area bordering Kumbukan Oya, crossing Hullandawa river with 6 SS’s held in the area  including river crossing, steep climbing on muddy hills and Kirinda in the final stage where 3 special stages were held.

Associated Motorways (Private) Limited (AMW) sponsored three well-known Australian drivers who had previously won the famous Australian off road event the Outback Challenge. These three drivers and their specially prepared NISSAN PATROLS were the AMW/NISSAN TEAM, which led the pack in the 4x4 Adventure Trophy 2010 beating all others.

The winner of Outback Challenge 2008 Adrian Parker with his driving partner Alain Magile drove a Nissan Patrol Y61 was the overall winner of the competition while winner of outback Challenge 2010, Rain Forest Challenge Peter Mihailoff and Stevan Hudson driving a Nissan Patrol Y60 GQ Model came in third place.

The local champion Chaminda Daiju, who came in fourth place, was also a Nissan Patrol Y 60 driver.

The 4x4 Adventure Trophy 2010 which required driving in extreme and challenging areas of Sri Lanka against natural obstacles, proved to be one of the toughest 4x4 events in Sri Lanka.