Over 700 participants in 240 tuk-tuks set out at the dead of night from the start point of Thalduwa Kelani Valley Sports Ground on April 8, 2017 to cover two provinces, 20 cities, 190 kilometres and 15 challenges to reach Nuwara Eliya on April 9 and achieve glory as the winners of Red Bull Tuk It 2017.
The rally, which lasted 21 hours, tested all teams equally as they battled fatigue, emotions, challenges and most of all the terrain of Sri Lanka which proved it is one to be reckoned with.
From the first stage onwards, Podi Team from the Sabaragamuwa Province took on a more strategic and calculated path through the rally, as they remained calm and followed route instructions allowing them to gain the most points.
Completing 90 percent of the tasks set through the rally, Podi Team pulled to the top of the pack, and from the final checkpoint at the Ambewela New Zealand Farm to Nuwara Eliya saw them pick up pace as they saw their end line.
Podi team with their stand out performance earned them the Winners title. Team Eksath Threerodha Ratha Sangamaya came in second, whilst Team Ambalangoda was relegated to third place. Team Pink Lions from Maharagama was awarded the prize of being the most creative tuk-tuk.
“We are so excited to win. The tasks and the route of Red Bull Tuk It was very challenging for us physically and mentally including the fact that the race started at midnight which added to the difficulty,” said members of Podi team, winners of Red Bull Tuk It 2017.
Red Bull Tuk It is a rally style challenge that utilizes Sri Lanka’s most used form of transportation — the tuk-tuk.
The course is not necessarily physical, but by accomplishing tasks, which are a combination of active adventure, getting to grips with tasks of local traditions and then the ultimate satisfaction of reaching the end brings the essence of what the project is about.
The course this year consisted of three stages, 15 challenges and 12 checkpoints from Avisawella to Nuwara Eliya.