| James Kon |
MOTORSPORT enthusiast Vance Lee Khin Pek will be flying the Brunei flag as the country’s lone participant in the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) 2018, from August 12-18, in Thailand and Cambodia.
Driving under the Amsoil Brunei Darussalam Rally Team, Lee will be partnered with Li Pak Sau from China.
In a test of driving and maneuvering skills, Lee will need to drive through mountainous areas, the jungle, paddy fields and river-crossings without doing any major damage to the environment.
Covering more than 2,000km, the race will begin in Pattaya, Thailand, and conclude in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
A national flag handover ceremony was held yesterday morning at the Brunei International Airport, which was attended by the Japanese Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Motohiko Kato; the Cambodian Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Ouk Chandara; Rooge Thammongkol, the Charge d’Affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy in Brunei Darussalam; and the Acting Director of Youth and Sports, Haji Zafri bin Haji Mohamed.
The national flag of Brunei Darussalam was presented to Lee by President of the Brunei Four Wheel Drive Association Haji Ibrahim bin Haji Damit.
In an interview, Vance said, “I feel proud and honoured to represent Brunei Darussalam for the first time, in this year’s AXCR. The event is organised by Sun Chlorello of Japan, and my car will be installed in Thailand with the required safety specifications.”
He added, “Besides the competition, I hope to learn and make more friends during the event. I would like the other participants at the Asia Cross Country Rally 2018 to know that Brunei can also compete. ‘Brunei Boleh!’”
Rally drivers from the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, Japan and Cambodia are also expected to compete in the AXCR 2018.
Vance recently won the Jamboree category of the Rainforest Challenge (RFC), held at Pahang in April this year. He also won the Trophy category in the same competition, held in Kelantan in July.
Vance has already attended several 4WD events, out of love for the sport. He currently owns 15 vehicles, especially designed for 4WD rallies.