TERENGGANU 4X4 MERDEKA CHALLENGE 2026

Defending champions Rubber Tipper and Andak TXV @ AJFIX retained their respective titles when the sixth edition of the Terengganu 4×4 Merdeka Challenge concluded last Saturday at Bandar Baru Kuala Nerus here.

Rubber Tipper emerged champion in the Short Wheel Base (SWB) category after collecting 441 points from eight Special Stages (SS), finishing ahead of 26 other competitors.

The Merapoh, Pahang-based team continued to rely on its Daihatsu Feroza 1.6 SE, driven by Mohd Fadly Deraman with Mohd Fadil Mat Ayub as navigator.

Rubber Tipper team manager Noor Ashrol Mohd Noor said the hot and hazy conditions provided a different test compared with last year’s wet race.

“Last year we competed in wet conditions and even had to wrap the carburettor with plastic, but this time we had to contend with the heat and haze, which made it challenging for us to complete every stage.

“The Kuala Nerus track also forced us to work harder compared with last year. The competition has become tougher too, with some teams managing to collect maximum points and overtake us in several SS,” he said.

Meanwhile, Andak TXV @ AJFIX retained the Long Wheel Base (LWB) title after accumulating 761 points.

The Selangor-based team fielded three competition vehicles, as it did in the previous edition, with its Jeep Cherokee 2.5L delivering the winning performance in the LWB category.

Andak TXV @ AJFIX team manager Mohd Foudzi Samat said the LWB category presented a different challenge, particularly with sections of the course favouring vehicles from other categories.

“As in the previous edition, we fielded three competition vehicles and this time our Jeep Cherokee managed to retain the LWB title.

“Competing in the LWB category is not easy compared with SWB because the nature of the course can give an advantage to vehicles from other categories. Nevertheless, we are grateful to have collected maximum points in four SS,” he said after the race.

Held over two days from Sept 4 to 5, 2026, the sixth edition of the Terengganu 4×4 Merdeka Challenge featured 56 competition vehicles competing in three categories, with eight SS determining the final standings.

The annual event was organised by Kelab Sukan Pacuan Empat Roda Ummah (UT 4×4), in collaboration with Kelab Terjoh! 4×4 Kuala Terengganu as the technical partner.

The event was supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia 4 Wheel Drive Association (MFWDA) and the Terengganu state government.