Challenging off-road race in Dam B’ri

Racing cars attending the off-road race at Dam B’ri resort were nicknamed ‘terrestrial dinosaurs’ for their great strength and ability to conquer any obstacles in their way.

The national event 'Dam B'ri Challenge 2014' held in Bao Loc District in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong drew the participation of 16 teams nationwide from February 23-27.

It would be wrong to say that the race was not a game of speed, but above all, it was a chance to show off the strength of high-powered engines, driving skills and techniques, and team spirit.

All the attending cars were equipped with a thick metal frame around the driving seat to protect drivers in case the vehicle capsized: car racing is not for the weak of heart.

Teams had to surpass waterfalls, a dense forest, many sharp bends, muddy ditches, hills with a 60 degree slope, and an abrupt slope of 80 degrees called the slope of death. The terrain and the itinerary of the race were kept secret until the moment the race began.

Spectators standing far away could hear the sounds of mirrors and windows breaking as the cars collided with tree branches and other obstacles.

The Dam B’ri Lake, an average depth of one meter, was one of the greatest challenges that caused many drivers to bow out of the race. The three-meter-tall hill with a slope of 80 degrees was another great challenge.

The image proves the job of an assistant driver during a race. He walks to probe the best way for his driver (Photo: Tuoi Tre) A game of team spirit

“With the slope of death, we want to send a message to participating drivers that this is not a game of speed, but of team spirit and patience,” said the member of the organizing board, Do Huu Duy Duc.

No one could surpass the death slope if he ignored the advice and help of his assistant driver, Duc added.

Driver Nguyen Do Trung said about his team mate, “The audience often admires the main driver but it is the assistant driver who decides 80 percent of the job and the victory.

“The main driver sits in his car while his assistant leaves it and walks the muddy road, the lake, and other obstacles to warn his driver and give advice. Without him, the main driver may easily get bogged down in the mud.”

Trung added, “Just wait and see. The winning team will be the car whose assistant driver is the most bruised.”

A tourist attraction

Ngo Dinh Hieu, deputy chairman of Dam B’ri resort, confirmed that he will further improve the race track to organize professional off-road races every one or two months.

“This will be a new and interesting tourist attraction of Lam Dong,” Hieu said.

The Dam B’ri resort will host an off-road bike race in late April and an international off-road car race in October with the participation of teams from Southeast Asian nations.

A racing car is capsized in Dam B’ri (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

A terrrestrial dinosaur on its racing road in Dam B’ri (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

Challenging off-road race in Dam B’ri Related image(s)