Singapore Winner Takes Home Grand Prize After 10 Years

Mediacorp Subaru Car Challenge 2017 finale

• Abdul Hamid Bin Jonid takes home the Grand Prize of a Subaru XV 2.0i-S after lasting 74 hours and 15 minutes

31 October 2017, Singapore – 58-year-old Abdul Hamid Bin Jonid, one of the oldest winners of the Mediacorp Subaru Car Challenge, clocked an impressive 74 hours and 15 minutes to bring home the Grand Prize, after 10 years of entering the competition. First runner-up Luan Tu-Lang from Vietnam and second runner-up Filmark Bernante from the Philippines, dropped out at 74 hours and 14 minutes and 73 hours 48 minutes respectively.

Showcasing true grit and determination – and that age is no barrier – Abdul Hamid, affectionately known as Kacang, finally achieved the title of overall winner and the Grand Prize of a Subaru XV 2.0i-S, worth S$65,000 without Certificate of Entitlement (COE). He has been a runner-up twice, in 2007 and 2010. Exuding boundless energy and enthusiasm after his win, Abdul Hamid said "never, ever give up on anything you want to do." Asked what advice he would give to future winners, he said "only do what your body tells you to do" during the allocated 5 minute breaks every six hours.

First runner-up Luan Tu-Lang walked away with cash prizes totalling S$12,000 after winning the S$5,000 prize for first runner-up, S$5,000 for being the Asian Winner (the last-standing regional contestant), S$1,000 for being the Regional Winner (the last-standing representative from his region), and an additional S$1,000 from his share of the Regional Team Winner award.

The Vietnam team was awarded the title Regional Team Winner and cash prize of S$10,000, divided equally between the team of 10, after participants achieved the longest combined standing time of 563 hours and 25 minutes. In recognition of the efforts by other regional contestants, the last-standing representative from each participating region also leaves 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).

Presenting the prizes to the winners were Mr Reza Mutalib, Head of Regional Marketing and Events, Motor Image Enterprises Pte. Ltd. and Ms Jessie Sng, Head, Partnerships, English Audience, Mediacorp.

"It has been a fierce battle between local and regional contestants throughout the Challenge, and this year was incredibly close," said Mr Reza Mutalib, Head of Regional Marketing and Events, Motor Image Enterprises Pte. Ltd. "Abdul Hamid has shown that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it, and that triumph comes to those who persevere. His energy and spirit – even after enduring over 74 hours in the heat and heavy rain – is inspiring, and we're delighted that he will be celebrating victory after 10 years," he said.

"We want to say a huge congratulations to Kacang (Abdul Hamid)! This is his 10th year participating in the Challenge and we are really happy that he is this year's winner," said Ms Jessie Sng, Head, Partnerships, English Audience, Mediacorp. "He embodies the spirit of the Challenge - Perseverance, Strength and Determination. We also want to thank everybody for coming down to show their support," she added.

For the first time ever, this year's Challenge offered an additional prize of S$5,000 to the winning corporate or school team of 10, with the longest combined time across each individual team member. Team Subaru Alumni were the winners of the prize.

Tumultuous weather conditions over the past four days, including a heavy thunderstorm necessitating suspension of the Challenge for 90 minutes, tested contestants' endurance to their limits. Supporters were out in full force throughout the event, cheering family and friends along from the side lines. They were also able to support participants through the online game where they could win their participant-of-choice additional 5-minute breaks, on top of the standard breaks every six hours.

Jointly issued by Mediacorp Pte Ltd and Subaru.

ANNEX A:  Regional Winners