Hallo everyone

I spent this morning taking pictures of the participants in the Subaru Impreza Challenge now on at the Civic Plaza in Ngee Ann City.

It was hot and humid when I was there. Out of the original 240 participants signed on for the contest last Saturday, only 33 were left. A large crowd had gathered to take in the sights.

Many of the participants had supporters ranting for them and urging them on. The participants looked fresh and some were jovial and posed for the pictures I took. This was despite the fact they were obviously tired, having had no sleep for the past 2½ days.

Glen Ong, a DJ with the Morning Express radio programme, called these participants 'heros' today. I couldn't agree less. It takes pure determination and guts to go through this grueling contest. Just imagine standing in the sun and rain for umpteen hours on end, not being able to change out of the soaked clothes and all the while having to keep that hand affixed on a Subaru Impreza car. I sure can't do it!

Over radio, the chief marshall for the event said some of the participants were hallucinating. One man asked where he was and what he was doing there. Another participant - a woman - wondered why there were flowers on the car she had her hand placed on. She was told they were palm prints, not flowers.

When I left the place for lunch, dark clouds had already gathered over Orchard Road. And when I came back to the Civic Plaza, it was raining heavily. I had my first look at the totally drenched participants. Gone from the railings enclosing the challenge area was the crowd. The spectators had retreated to the dry sheltered walkway of Ngee Ann City. It was also there that I watched the participants.

By evening, the number of participants had dwindled to twelve - eight men and four women. The women were certainly going strong this year. The last two years, it was men who won the challenge. Will a woman take the title this year? It is quite possible.

With wet days forecast the next few days, the going won't be easy for those remaining in the contest for the free Subaru Impreza.

For the benefit of those who for one reason or another couldn't make the visit to the Civic Plaza, we are including pictures of the participants below.

Have a good week!

More..... (pictures)

See also: MediaCorp Radio Subaru Impreza WRX Challenge 2004

See also: Ultimate Subaru Impreza Challenge 2002

Updates

2 Nov 2004: Three participants left: two men and one woman (Nos. 36, 66 & 120)

2 Nov 2004: Sales Executive Ian Lee Wei Wen, 23, has won a S$90,000 Subaru Impreza WRX 2.0, breaking all records set the past three years with nearly 75 hours logged. Runner-up is Ms Cheang Pui San, 29, who went away with about S$2,000 worth of vouchers.