Revving up for victory

SINGAPORE - It is their first time joining The New Paper SUVival Challenge, but they are in it to win.

Madam Irmawaty Yusoff, 34, who is in guest relations, will be taking part in the event with her husband, Mr Muhd Izzuddin, 35, who is in the aviation industry.

She said: "I'm a competitive person so although this is our first time joining, I want to win. But if luck is not on our side, we just want to enjoy ourselves."

She added that they had always wanted to join the event, but only really considered doing so this year after they got their sports utility vehicle (SUV) - a Toyota RAV4 - two years ago and saw the SUVival Challenge advertisements in TNP a few weeks ago.

Madam Irmawaty describes herself as adventurous and outgoing, while her husband is quiet and conservative.

It is their first time joining an off-roading competition.

"It'll be interesting to see how we work together. I expect lots of bickering, but I'm sure it will bring us closer together," Madam Irmawaty said.

"It'll also be an adventure for us where we can try something new as a couple."

Now in its ninth year, the TNP SUVival Challenge takes participants on an off-road adventure in Malaysia where they will have to navigate their way through checkpoints with the help of clues in envelopes, Amazing Race-style.

The SUVival Challenge also has a competitive element, with more than $60,000 in cash and other prizes to be won.

Contestants will take part in games and challenges, as well as battle off-road terrain with muddy ditches, steep slopes and uneven ground.

Madam Irmawaty and her husband have been married for six years and they have a five-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter.

They started dating in secondary school, but have not had much time to themselves since the birth of their children.

QUALITY TIME

The SUVival Challenge will be an opportunity for them to spend some quality time together. Madam Irmawaty's parents will look after the children.

Said Madam Irmawaty: "It'll just be the two of us and we can take a break from being parents for a day."

The couple are not sure what to expect in the challenge, but they are ready to get dirty and sweaty.

"I can't wait for the day (of the challenge). But it starts at 6am and I'm not a morning person, so that will be a totally different challenge for me," she said.

tantam@sph.com.sg

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