Land Rover G4 Challenge

Off-road adventurers around the world are being called to compete in another ultimate four-wheel-drive challenge.

The Land Rover G4 Challenge is touted as the “adventure of a lifetime” and pits competitors from 18 countries against one another and the environment.

The third running of the G4 Challenge will be held in remote Asian locations with a combination of off-road driving and sporting contests, ranging from kayaking to mountain-biking and climbing.

The aim is to test the two-member teams in trials of their strength, stamina and strategic awareness.

The G4 challenge has been held twice before. Belgian fighter pilot Rudi Thoelen won in 2003 in the Moab Desert in the US. South African Martin Dreyer won in 2006 on a course that included Thailand, Laos, Brazil and Bolivia.

Australia has been represented by champion ironman Guy Andrews, but Alina McMaster did best when she won several individual events and finished sixth of 18 competitors two years ago.

“The challenge is all about pushing yourself and your vehicle as hard as possible in some of the world's most spectacular locations,” G4 challenge manager Ed Tilston says.

The challenge is an amazing event that gives people the chance to experience a real adventure. It tests not only physical strength, but also mental and strategic talents and teamwork. And this time it will be raising money for a very worthy cause.

The objective is to raise $1 million for the Red Cross, and the winning team will get a Land Rover vehicle for their country's Red Cross or Red Crescent Society.

Australian hopefuls will be up against men and women from Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Norway/Sweden, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey and the US.

The Australian selection trials will be held late this year to choose the two men and two women who will advance to the international selections early next year before the G4 Challenge finals in the middle of next year.

“Only two people from Australia will go to Asia for the adventure of a lifetime, but winning a place on the challenge is all part of the excitement,” Tilston says.

“The new team format marks a massively exciting move for the challenge and we are expecting thousands of entrants from the 18 nations on the list,” he says.

For more information and to register for the event, go to www.landroverG4Challenge.com