Isuzu Challenge 2009 Goes Green

May 1, 2009 by Tsikot

And they’re off… to determine who’s the best among the best in fuel efficiency driving among the new breed of Isuzu Challenge champions!

For six years now, the annual Isuzu Challenge has been a showcase of fuel-efficiency driving for Isuzu’s roster of tried, tested and trusted vehicles. Participants compete in a race to register the most fuel-efficient rating for their Isuzu vehicles. Participants are customers invited by Isuzu as a way of promoting the importance of saving precious fuel, as well as to say “thank you” for their patronage.

The seventh edition, held last April 25 2009, was similar to the previous six in that it remained a test of fuel-efficiency, but with a couple of changes. First, the teams were the winners of the Isuzu Family Challenge 2008; therefore this year’s edition featured the best of last year’s participants from 17 dealerships of Isuzu nationwide. Media participants were also invited to compete in a separate category. A Tournament of Champions, so to speak.

And the second change? With global warming becoming a growing and urgent concern, and research showing that fuel efficiency driving helps in deterring climate change, the Isuzu Challenge 2009 evolved into an event advocating environmental care. What was a mere fuel economy competition in the previous editions became an Amazing Race-race type of event, with teams going through a seven stages, each stage punctuated with challenging tasks that espouse the importance of caring for our environment.

Starting out from Isuzu Manila at 6:00 a.m., 17 Customer teams and 6 media teams negotiated a north-of-manila route, going through portions of EDSA and NLEX before stopping at the Paradise Ranch in Clark, Pampanga. They then headed thru SCTEx to a fuel station in Subic for the first fuel efficiency measurement (1st Leg). This was followed by more activities done inside Subic.

At the Paradise Ranch, each team was tasked to plant two trees to increase the population of trees at this environmental education center located on the banks of the Sacobia River.

Next the teams were taught how to transplant delicate tree wildlings at SBMA Ecology Center Tree Nursery. The cultivated tree wildlings will be used for SBMA’s Sta. Rita Reforestation program this coming June. These mahogany wildlings were transferred from the forest to the nursery where they will have better chances of survival. The process involves extreme care as the wildlings may die if not handled properly.

The most daunting task was at the Wildlife in Need (WIN) located in Subic. WIN organization helps wild animals survive back into the wild or simply nurse animals back to good health. This task got the participants involved in feeding rehabilitating animals with fruits and worms. Yes, worms. Each team must handle these fruits and worms with care so as to avoid incurring time penalties. And, the teams proceed to Gerry’s Grill in Subic for lunch!

San Fernando to pick up the all-important final clue and the route book towards the end-point, which was a fuel station at Valenzuela along NLEX. The From Gerry’s Grill, it was back to the fuel efficiency run, with the route heading back to Manila, but not before the teams pass by Isuzu Pampanga in teams all felt like winners, but everyone agreed that another big winner was Mother Earth as all the participants learned more about caring for the environment.

The simple awarding ceremony held at Moomba Bar and Restaurant in Quezon City gave recognition to the best teams in fuel efficiency driving, with points also earned for their performances in the activities of Tree Planting, Wildling Transplanting and Caring for Wildlife.

Isuzu Challenge 2009 took the concept of fuel-efficient driving to a higher level. With better fuel-efficiency, your Isuzu vehicle not only helps you to save money, you also get to help save the environment. And all the nature-tripping participants of this year’s edition could only agree to that.

Isuzu Philippines Media Release

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