Off-roading enthusiasts can rejoice as the Philippine Overland Expedition will be returning this year from February 19 to 25. It’s man and machine versus nature with the route starting from General Nakar, Quezon, heading to Dingalan, Aurora.

For the competition, participants are grouped into teams with each having three rigs and six members. There are three categories for the rigs, which will all be subject to scrutineering.

Production vehicles are ordinary SUVs that are equipped with the basic necessities for off-roading. Modified vehicles are heavily customized production models where even the body and the engine have been altered.

Meanwhile, Prototype vehicles are purpose-built with no resemblance at all to any production car. Each team must have at least one production vehicle and a maximum of one prototype vehicle.

The Team Competition consists of timed stages designed to challenge each participant’s skills, not just in driving but also in navigation, recovery, and survival. The team with the fastest time scores the maximum points, and there will be deductions for failing to adhere to safety guidelines.

With a prize pot of P1,000,000, the winning team gets P500,000, while the second- and third-placers take home P200,000 and P100,000. There are also special awards for the different teams and individuals for performance-related achievements.

If you’re not in it to win it, you can also join as a camper, with the choice of joining the full segment with the competition convoy, or the single segment that sets up camp at either General Nakar or Dingalan.

For more info, including the registration link, you can visit the website of Mototesto Overland Equipment Philippines.