Land Rover G4 Challenge International Selection

---

Making the Choice

Rob Howard / 30.01.2006

During the coming week the 3 candidates from each country will be side-by-side as they listen to briefings, complete driver training and instruction, and practice rope, Mtb, paddling and navigation skills in a range of exercises and competitions. Some of the time they will be working together but at others there is direct, timed competition between all the candidates. And they all know only one of the 3 from each country will be chosen on the final day.

All the activities take place in the 5,000-acre castle estate, in the Malvern Hills in the English countryside. Eastnor has a variety of terrain and conditions for driving and sports activities, including a small lake for paddling activities, and plenty of space for the nightly camps. A 60 foot high climbing tower has been set up near the Land Rover Experience entrance, and there is a large marquee used for briefings and video presentations.

The activities have a double role, to select the final competitor for each nation and to train them in the skills and knowledge needed to complete the Challenge safely. The competitors will be active from 6.00am each day until well after dark, and each night will set up a new camp, and sleep out in the cold conditions of a British winter. All the equipment they use will be the same as those which will be used on the G4 Challenge itself, including the bikes, kayaks, tents, stoves and of course, the bright orange, left-hand drive Land Rovers.

As the competitors move around the site and complete the activities they know they are being assessed by Challenge staff, including a Land Rover representative from their county, and will be scored out of 1000 points made up of the following;

Team Integration and motivation skills – 150 points
Physical Fitness and Ability – 150 points
Strategic skills, initiative, creativity and general intelligence – 150 points
Navigational skills – 150 points
4x4 driving ability – 150 points
Brand Communication skills – 150 points
Mechanical aptitude – 100 points
First aid proficiency – 50 points

But there will be no daily ‘results’ or published ‘scores’. At the conclusion of the week the selected represented will be announced for each country, and the ‘second placed’ candidate will be named as a reserve. See All Event Posts