15 Oct 2015

Hi-range Safari city, a company dealing with modifying off-road vehicles,in association with Sleek Brand marketing will presents a first of its own kind event, 4X4 Experience billed for October 31 at Lions Park. 

Featuring sport utility vehicles (SUV), double cabs and station wagons, 4X4 experience would bring off-road fanatics a day of fun.

The event will run for two days. The first day would give an opportunity for car dealers to allow test drives and the second day will be a 4x4 challenge with a fun day feel. The last day activities will end with a prize awards and winners will walk away with vehicle recovery equipment.

When addressing the media  in Gaborone recently, the event coordinator Innocentia Keloneilwe said they saw the need to bridge the promotion gap for clients who seek to buy for such vehicles and actually witness the cars on action.

She said various upmarket car shows have been held in Botswana, of which mostly have catered for luxury vehicles and sedans which is always static displays.

“We will be providing an opportunity for car dealers to showcase their off-road cars their capabilities on challenging terrains at the Lions Park resort” she said.

She said test drives will be given by qualified instructors provided by dealers, she also said “we also envisage some public people who want to be learn a few tricks about off road driving.”

She explained that It will not be a competition but a way of people understanding the traits of every 4x4 on the local market be it All Wheel Drive, Permanent Four Wheel Drive and Super Select.

Keloneilwe said on Sunday will be a 4x4 guru’s day encompassed with man VS machine. A 4x4 challenge event and fun day will take place with ten heavy obstacles. The obstacle will vary from Sand to Dongas and Mud obstacles.

She said a point system will be used per obstacle and at the end of the day one will ultimately be declared a winner.

Keloneilwe further said most people buy a 4x4 based on here-say, market perception or looks however, car dealers have been invited to bring their vehicles to be test driven on a 4x4 track hence the event is called 4x4 experience.

For his part the event track coordinator Tshepo Moalafi said they decided to come up with activities involving different 4X4 cars that are modified and standard taking to different terrains so that they compete to showcase their capabilities.

 He explained that most of people only take 4X4 vehicles to cattle posts and drive them around town. Further stating that most of the 4X4 owners do not really know the real abilities of such cars and how they actually perform on different situations.

“I have recently learned that a normal 4X4 can actually go on three wheels and still be able to go well on the road” commented Moalafi.

He further explained the event is going to be a knowledge exchange kind of program, which will benefit between consumer and car dealers while having fun taking part on the activity. “Modified cars will be availed to come out to compete, something I have only seen on television” said Moalafi.

In regard to safety he said they have arranged medical assist to be on standby. 

He said even for the cars which will be taking part in the challenge they have put in place tractors which would help in such situations. Ends