The Mediacorp Subaru Car Challenge has kicked off at exactly 1 PM today at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza in Singapore.

In its 17th edition, the 2018 Mediacorp Subaru Car Challenge brings together 320 Singaporean participants and 80 regional participants from Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Hopeful contenders will brave the elements in the arena for a chance at winning the Grand Prize: a brand-new Subaru Impreza 2.0i-S. To win, contestants need to place their right palms firmly within the surface area of the palm decals and be the last one standing. They are given a 5-minute break once every six hours throughout the competition.

A special guest at the Car Challenge this year is the all-new Subaru Forester which celebrated its Singaporean market launch. The all-new Forester will be featured in a special Charity Car Challenge and at a photobooth during the event.

“The 17th edition of the Mediacorp Subaru Car Challenge promises more fun and rewards for everyone with the exciting line-up of prizes and activities. This year, the Challenge is also combined with the launch of the all-new Subaru Forester, making it all the more special,” says Mr. Glenn Tan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Tan Chong International Limited. “We expect an impressive display of tenacity and grit from the contestants and look forward to see who will emerge victorious this year.”

In addition to being eligible for the Grand Prize, contestants will also be incentivized for pushing their personal limits. Any participant who surpasses the 48th hour mark will receive SGD 100 (~ P 3,900) in cash. If his or her palm is still on the car after 60 hours, he or she will receive another SGD 100, and after 72 hours, yet another SGD 100.

In addition to being eligible for the Grand Prize, regional contestants will also compete for additional titles and cash prizes. The title of Country Winner and a cash prize of SGD 1,000 (~ P 38,800) will be awarded to the final standing representative of each participating region. The last standing regional contestant will win the Asian Winner title and walk away with an additional SGD 5,000 (~ P 194,000) cash. The country or region, whose participants have the longest combined standing time, will be awarded the Country Team Winner title along with a cash prize of SGD 10,000 (~ P 387,900) to be equally divided among the team.

This year’s Challenge will also ensure that no participant walks away empty-handed. Every participant will receive a Challenger pack comprising a customised t-shirt and selected gift vouchers, worth around SGD 80 (~ P 3,100).

DUO Rewards, the customer loyalty program of Tan Chong International Ltd (TCIL), will also be organising a fund-raising activity as an alternative way for members of the public to contribute. For SGD 5 (~ P 194), members of the public can try their hand at pushing a toy car forward (or pulling it back), on a game board to win merchandise depending on where the car stops. All proceeds collected will go towards funding a new school van for the Rainbow Centre, a social service organisation that operates special education schools for persons with disabilities in Singapore. The Rainbow Centre is also a beneficiary under the President’s Star Challenge.