12th Time Contestant Finally Takes Home the Car Challenge Crown

Mediacorp Subaru Car Challenge 2016 finale

• 38-year-old Sunawr Ali from Singapore takes home the Grand Prize, after lasting for 75 hours and 58 minutes

Singapore, 8 November 2016 - 38-year-old Sunawr Ali S/O Idris Ali from Singapore has clocked an impressive 75 hours and 58 minutes, despite the blazing heat on the final day, to bring home the Grand Prize.

It was a battle of the former second-placers right down to the last minute, with Sunawr Ali finishing second in 2013 and Analiza Bte Mokhtar finishing second in 2014. In the end, first runner-up Analiza, 38, from Singapore and second runner-up Alex Neblasca, 34, from Philippines, dropped out at 75 hours and 57 minutes, and 73 hours 50 minutes respectively. The first and second runner up won cash prizes of S$5,000 and S$2,000 respectively.

For his efforts and sheer determination, Sunawr Ali, who has taken part in the Challenge for the 12th time, will be receiving the title of overall winner and the Grand Prize of an all-new Subaru XV 1.6 I-S worth S$69,600, without Certificate of Entitlement (COE). The long-overdue victory is especially sweet for Sunawr Ali whose last-best showing was second-place in the 2013 Challenge, where he fell short of the winning time that year of 75 hours and 1 minute.

Visibly elated and relieved after being told of his win, Sunawr Ali said that he “feels very great” about finally winning after taking part for the 12th time. He credited his win to the unwavering support of his family and friends, and said that “it may have taken years” but what matters is that he has accomplished the feat at long last. Despite finishing the Challenge with swollen feet, Sunawr Ali said the first thing he wanted to do when he got home was to “have some fried chicken”.

In the face of erratic weather conditions over the past four days, ranging from intermittent showers to unrelenting heat, participants continued to remain upbeat as the Challenge progressed. Supporters were also out in full force, cheering them from the side lines with words of encouragement and banners. Supporters could also support participants through the online game where they could win their participant-of-choice additional five-minute breaks, on top of the standard breaks every six hours.

Presenting the Grand Prize to Sunawr Ali, was Mr Glenn Tan, Executive Director, Tan Chong International Ltd and Ms Debra Soon, Head, Family English Segment, Mediacorp.

“I’m very happy that 12-time contestant Ali has finally taken home the prize. He has demonstrated sheer grit, endurance and determination from start to finish, in both his 12-year quest for the Grand Prize, and also for the past 75 hours and 58 minutes during the Challenge. He told me that this will be his last Challenge win or lose and I’m glad that it has ended on a high note for him.” said Mr Glenn Tan, Executive Director, Tan Chong International Ltd.

“15th year into the Challenge and the Mediacorp Subaru Car Challenge is still growing strong. We are heartened with the response we have received on social media and on site. Thousands of people have been watching our videos and posting words of encouragement online. Congratulations Ali for his big win – a truly deserving winner for his show of strength and tenacity,” said Ms Debra Soon, Head, Family English Segment, Mediacorp.

Philippines, whose participants achieved the longest combined standing time of 490 hours and 42 minutes, despite a disadvantage of having only nine regional participants, when one participant had to back out at the last minute, has been awarded the Regional Team Winner title. Most of the other regional teams who competed had a full crew of 10 participants. The Philippines team will also be going home with a cash prize of S$10,000, which will be divided equally between the team.

In recognition of the efforts by other regional contestants, the last-standing representative from each participating region will also leave with the title of Regional Winner and a cash prize of S$1,000. (Please refer to Annex A for a list of Regional Winners.) In addition, Alex Neblasca from the Philippines, the last standing regional contestant has won the Asian Winner title, walking away with an additional S$5,000 cash.

Jointly issued by Mediacorp Pte Ltd and Subaru.

ANNEX A:  List of Region Winners