Are you ready to race in Malaysia's first Hard Enduro?

The "stage" is set for Saturday's (Oct 1) Harimau Kumbang Hard Enduro at Ulu Choh Dirt Park in Gelang Patah, Johor.

It's just 20 minutes away from Tuas Second Link.

Definitely, it will not be a walk in the park and definitely not your typical Sunday trail ride, especially for participants in the expert classes.

Named after the elusive black panther (Harimau Kumbang), the hard enduro race is expected to be entertaining for spectators yet challenging for competitors, the clerk of course, Mr Benny Sriphet, 47, told The New Paper.

Man-made versus natural obstacles

The three routes for participants in groups are categorised as gold, silver and bronze.

Said Mr Sriphet from Sweden: "It's a mixed terrain of steep, tall climbs, riding over logs and tractor tyres, stream crossings and off-camber slopes.

"And if it rains, you can expect the natural obstacles to be harder to negotiate."

The race is divided into phases - Saturday's prologue where riders are required to tackle man-made obstacles and Sunday's Hard Enduro where racers ride into the "bush" to overcome nature's obstacles.

More than 100 riders from Singapore, Malaysia and overseas, are expected to get down and dirty this weekend.

TNP PHOTO: ZAIHAN M YUSOF

A spokesman for Lupromax Singapore, the official race lubricant for the event, said he is encouraged by the large number of participants.

Mr Vanga Ganasan, Lupromax's spokesman, said: "We're happy to support the event because ultimately it will all come back to us in terms of feedback for our oils and further business.

"The harsh race conditions help us gather feedback from riders which will be used to improve our lubricants."

But before any rider decides to go full throttle, Mr Richard Lim, who's part of the team that built and designed the event route, has advised them to "keep some in reserve".

That's because for the gold category, a lap around the enduro route is about 20km long and will take roughly two hours to complete.

TNP PHOTO: ZAIHAN M YUSOF

Pace yourself

Participants in this class are more experienced as compared to riders in the bronze class.

Said Mr Lim, 38, a service engineer: "Most riders who are determined to win will go all out from the start.

"The winning strategy is to conserve energy and pace yourself until you hit your first impossible obstacle on the route."

And when that happens, you'll likely have to get off your dirt bike to push, and sometimes even manhandle your race bike, out of a rut.

TNP PHOTO: ZAIHAN M YUSOF

Equally important is to be well-hydrated, said Mr Sriphet.

Carrying a hydration pack or energy bars could give riders the added boost to last through the race.

But Mr Lim assured first timers to enduro racing not to worry too much.

The routes have been clearly marked and there are 20 marshals stationed at critical areas to ensure that riders are accounted for.

Some of these marshals are in contact with race control via radios, said Mr Sriphet from the IT industry.

He added: "We intend to improve our races and hopefully raise it to international standards.

"It's a work in progress but we will get there."

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Info Box:

What: Harimau Kumbang Hard Enduro

Where: Ulu Choh Dirt Park in Gelang Patah, Johor (20 mins from Tuas Second Link)

When: Saturday (Oct 1) for the Prologue and Sunday (Oct 2) for the Hard Enduro

Rider categories: Gold, Silver and Bronze

Entry is free.

Race begins on both days at 9 am.