Old Belize will be hosting a 4 x 4 competition this weekend. But it's not just about snarling engines, fearless drivers and aggressive mud grip tires....the idea is to have competitors to pay to rough up their 4x4 trucks. Seems contrary, but today organizer Francis Woods told us that it's all for a good cause, namely the Gift of Life program.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
Most people would never subject their vehicles to this kind of treatment unless it was absolutely necessary. But that goes for most people. On Sunday at Old Belize the call is not to them, it's for the daredevils, those who do this kind of thing for fun, forsaking safety and even their vehicle's value.
Francis Woods,
"Once you have a four wheel drive, you can come in; anybody. We want you to come in and test your four wheel drive skills."
Organizer of the even Francis Woods being a participant himself says that while it may look like complete disregard for the trucks in reality it's all about fun.
Francis Woods,
"We just want to create some fun entertainment for you to come out on Sunday to see. It'll be an all day activity, full of four wheel drive competition and where they go over the hill, go through mud put, go through a fancy curve, back through the mud pit, and then hit another like three mud pits to go through and then we pick the best of three times. Last year's first place winner walked off with $850, second place got $550, third place $250. The amount of money depends on how much people register for the competition in addition to that we'll have a tug-o-war contest just for fun."
For fun as well as a fund raising activity for the Rotary Gift of Life program to help children in need of heart surgeries.
Francis Woods,
"Its all going for our Gift of Life Program which as most people know already sends kids out for heart repair and Gift of Life also hosts several heart clinics in Belize, we got doctors to come down and do that so all proceeds will go towards the Gift of Life Program."
And for a worthy cause it would seem that this abuse may well be worth it.
Anyone wishing to sign up for competition can do so by calling Francis Woods at 610-1681.
