Clean sweep for Land Rover at Gregory’s Extreme Mud Challenge 2013

One of the highlights in the 4x4 calendar is the annual Gregory’s Mud Challenge conducted on the shores of Lake Gregory in Nuwara Eliya each April. This event is organised by the Nuwara Eliya 4x4 Club and is looked forward to by the 4x4 fraternity.

Although this is a relatively new event in the Sri Lankan 4x4 scene it has already got a reputation for the professional manner in which it is conducted.

The event kicked off with the standard event, where unmodified 4x4 took part. Here the event was won by Chandima Gooneratne, driving a Land Rover Defender. The runner up position was taken by the iconic race driver and business tycoon David Peris, who also drove a Land Rover Defender. Third place was clinched by Priyan Perera driving an Izuzu Trooper.

Another highlight of the standard event was the drive by Eshan Peris, the youngest competitor to drive and finish the demanding course in 2 minutes 14 seconds. Eshan also drove a Land Rover Defender.

This year’s extreme event consisted of a two stage track consisting of mud holes, water troughs, inclines, declines and dizzying angles. All the competitors and the hundreds of spectators enjoyed the thrills and spills of competing on this challenging course.

This year’s event was won by veteran 4x4 driver Suresh Chathuranga and his Co-Driver Isuru Ranamuka in their modified Land Rover Defender, Second Place went to Shihara Thilina in their modified Range Rover, whilst Third Place went to Veterans Indika Sanjaya and Navin Marapana who were the winners of this event in 2011 in their modified Land Rover Defender.