Etisalat supports premier off-road trail racing event

Tuesday, 27 September 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Taprobana 4x4 challenge, the country’s premier off-road race, this year powered by Etisalat will see 30 participants test their limits through some of the toughest terrains of the Uva Province. Come race day on 7 October through to the 14 October, this flagship race organised by the Four Wheel Drive (FWD) Club of Sri Lanka will have local and international adventure sport enthusiasts compete in a four night, five day grueling 800km drive on the less travelled trails of Sri Lanka.

Commenting on the event, President of the Four Wheel Drive Club Sri Lanka, Prashan Wijayanayake, said, “This year, for the first time, the Taprobana 4x4 Challenge has been selected to be a part of the International Rain Forest Challenge (RFC), a major international series, whose final event takes place in Malaysia. This well known selection of 4x4 extreme events has the greatest representation; more than 30 countries from Europe to Asia field competitors in the events. Our own Taprobanna 4x4 Challenge’s addition to the RFC finally puts Sri Lanka on the radar amongst 4x4 extreme sport enthusiasts.”

As primary sponsor and official communication partner of the event, Etisalat has provided their support and allowed for both voice and 3G connectivity on the race trails.

Etisalat CEO, Dumindra Ratnayaka, commented on Etisalat’s support of the Taprobana 4x4 Challenge saying “This year, with its inclusion to the International Rainforest Challenge of Malaysia, The Four Wheel Drive Club of Sri Lanka is taking the Taprobana 4x4 challenge to the next level. At Etisalat, we have always supported our nations sports and we admire the drive and dedication that the FWD Club is showing, not only in their competitive spirit, but also in their efforts to make Sri Lanka a pre-eminent power internationally in their sport; just as we have always strived to make Sri Lanka a front runner in South Asia’s mobile telecommunication sphere. It is these shared values that make us proud to be the official communications partner of this event.”

Etisalat’s achievement of taking 3G to the Maligawila jungles is a feat that no other telecommunication partner of any RFC event has achieved. Though other circuits have been contested in India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and other countries; no other circuit has had 3G coverage from the jungle trails themselves. These innovations will in turn allow for instant updates on the event, from the remote trails in which it will be contested, to reach the public seamlessly.

In addition to the support that Etisalat will be showing the Taprobana 4x4 challenge, Toyota, Ford, and Jeep will be co-sponsors, while GAC Logistics will be their official partner in Logistics. The official recovery partner will be Dave Tractors (Pvt) Ltd. (John Deer), Red Bull the official energy drink and REAL Radio the official radio sponsor.