MORE than 80 teams competed in the inaugural Kedah 4X4 Challenge 2007 recently.

Alor Star Mayor Datuk Abdul Mukhti Abdullah flagged off the event, which was organised by the Kedah Tourism Action Council at the Star Walk parade recently.

Ten teams from Sadao, Southern Thailand, and 72 teams from Malaysia set off on the three-day 150km adventure to appreciate the natural beauty along the route.

The competitors passed through Suka Menanti, Bukit Perangin, and camped the first night at Sungai Kechil, Napoh in Kubang Pasu.

On the second day, they set off to Bukit Kachi in Sintok.

On the final day, the participants travelled to Kuala Nerang and Pedu before finishing at Star City Hotel where trophies and certificates were presented to the winners.

President of the Kedah 4X4 Club Ruslin Long said: “This is the first time the newly formed club is organising a four-wheel-drive challenge. I am elated that Malaysians have come out in great numbers to support the event.

“The response is better than the International Rain Forest Challenge held late last year. We even have women competitors from Kuala Nerang, Taiping and Kulim.”

He added that the huge response has given the club the confidence to organise next year’s event on a bigger and grander scale.

“The council is actively committed to promote Kedah during this Visit Malaysia 2007 and this is one way to ‘sell’ Kedah.

“The competitors, especially the foreigners, would have gained first-hand experience in appreciating the natural beauty of our state,” said Kedah Tourism Action Council general manager Abdul Rahman Salleh.

More than 260 participants from Thailand, Terengganu, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Kelantan, Penang and Kedah took part in the challenge.

It was a big improvement from the International Rain Forest Challenge, which had only 30 participating teams.

“Next year, we will have Visit Kedah 2008. Hopefully, the four-wheel drive challenge can attract participants from Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei,” he added.

Meanwhile, manager of the 10-team Sadao 4x4 contingent, Anuwat Aggaitchaya, who has been involved in 4x4 challenges for more than 15 years, said: “My club members are happy to participate in this challenge. We have been regular participants in Kedah’s challenge events and we enjoy every minute of it.

“The last time we were here was for the International Rain Forest Challenge last year and I can say with conviction that this event looks much more exciting with a hive of activity and more vehicles and drivers.”