2019 Overland Xpo to bring the off-road fun in Zambales

Overland Xpo, the playground of 4x4 vehicle owners in the country organized by none other than Overland Philippines, is down for another year of excitement. This time, the off-road adventure will be held at the very heart of Zambales – a 200-km drive from Manila. The third installment is scheduled for February 2 to 4, 2019, with over a hundred vehicles registered.

‘Overlanding’ is a term that originated from the Australian way of moving livestock over vast distances. The meaning of the term evolved to the way of self-reliant traveling to remote destinations via land. Using this context, Overland Xpo lets four-wheel-drive (4WD) drivers, be it pickup or SUV, experience a taste of adventure by overcoming the harshest terrain in their off-road machines. And, unlike any road trip, it promises extreme adrenaline-pumping experiences.

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The adventure will begin in Manila, where the participants have to drive 200 kilometers all the way to Zambales. As the drive will be happening within the vicinity of Mt. Pinatubo, everyone will be offered with an option of another 5-km trek to the crater. Sounds simple enough when you read it but do note that the drive is made up of river-crossing, rock crawling, and uphill driving. Not to mention that the paths are more likely sandy, muddy, and rocky.

Weeks before the actual run, a drivers’ briefing was held at the R.O.X. flagship store at Bonifacio High Street, BGC. Participants were given a thorough orientation on things they must expect during the trip, as well as how to properly prepare themselves and their vehicles. It’s a crucial part of the event as there will be no electricity, water, nor gas stations nearby the area.

According to the organizers, even stock 4x4 vehicles can make it up to the campsite. However, they claim that most participants prepping up for the big day will be using dressed up 4x4 rigs running on mud tires, lifted suspensions, and auxiliary driving lights. Good thing, Overland Xpo has supporters like Black Rhino Wheels and KONI Suspension Philippines to secure the safety of the drivers.

Marketing head of Black Rhino Wheels Philippines Justin Uy expounded that no one plays basketball on leather shoes; the same way off-road adventures require off-road tires. Tira Tuazon of KONI Suspension Philippines then added that large tires require appropriate suspensions.