Subaru Impreza Challenge @ Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza 2011
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SINGAPORE: MediaCorp's Subaru Impreza Challenge -- an annual endurance event into its 10th year -- kicked off on Saturday at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza. Four hundred contestants from 10 territories including Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam -- and for the first time, Cambodia and Macau -- will go through the gruelling challenge to win a car.Contestants are required to place their palms on their designated palm decals on designated vehicles -- a position they must hold for hours or even days, with only a five-minute break every six hours. Some dropped out of the race within the first few minutes on Saturday, amid the mid-day heat. The winner last year lasted 75 hours and 17 minutes, but Singaporean George Lee, who won the 2008 competition, holds bragging rights for hanging on for a record of 81 hours 32 minutes.One of this year's first-time participants is 32-year-old Singaporean Adam Kamis, a freelance graphic designer who has only one arm. "My disclaimer is that I can't say 'hi' to my friends or the other participants because I've got no right arm," he said jokingly. "But other than that, I have friends here... and there are experienced participants here, so I hope they give me tips and share with me their knowledge, and guide me along."Joining the race for the third time is 53-year-old Singaporean Abdul hamid, a personal chauffeur."We should eat more muffins, if there are, because our body needs sugar, and more coffee. Vegetables are not advisable because they are fibrous, and will rush you to the toilet," he said. The oldest female contestant this year is 67-year-old Vivien Tan, a repeat participant. "You need to programme yourself like a computer -- that you can do it, and if you've got enough determination, not only for this but everything else in life, you will be able to succeed," she said.- CNA/wk