Four professional sports heroes paired with four sport enthusiasts were put through their paces at the Toyota Fortuner 4×4 Challenge which took place in Knysna. The four enthusiasts competed against each other in various activities, which tested both their physical and mental strength, and ultimately, Danie Leonard, a school teacher from George, drove away in a brand new Fortuner worth more than R 400 000. The Fortuner demonstrating it is the perfect lifestyle vehicle.
“The Fortuner 4×4 Challenge was designed to not only test each contestant physically but mentally as well. As such, we put together a mix of tasks that would test these skills and showcase the Fortuner’s capability as well. The tasks had varying levels of difficulty which proved to be an interesting two days of challenges. I would like to congratulate Danie and his partner Andrew Mclean on an impressive performance,” says Kerry Roodt General Manager of Marketing Communication at Toyota South Africa Motors.
The Fortuner 4×4 Challenge included seven activities such as the Garmin Rush, Conrad Pezula Flame Masters, Toyota Speed Shot, Supersport Fortuner Shuffle, Salomon Up and down Trail run, Thule Paddle and Load, and Specialized Mountain Mayhem.
“The event took place at the Conrad Pezula resort set in the scenic Knysna area, which provided the perfect backdrop for the challenge. The Fortuner tagline is the “Luxury of Freedom” and this area certainly makes you feel like you are in another world,” added Roodt.
Each contestant was paired with a professional athlete to complete the tasks. The athletes who competed in the challenge include former Dakar champion and Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa driver, Giniel de Villers; Toyota Cyclelab director and multiple Cape Epic winner, Andrew Mclean; Currie Cup winning rugby player and member of the Blitzbokke, Ryno Benjamin of the Toyota Cheetahs; and Currie Cup wining centre and Under-20 Rugby world cup winner, Raymond Rhule also from the Toyota Cheetahs.
Joining Danie were the following contestants Kristian Fesel, (paired with Ryno Benjamin) an endurance athlete which has completed many IronMan races; Harold Durnez, (paired with Giniel De Villiers) an athlete from Cape Town and; Stephen Vallaro, (paired with Raymond Rhule) a production planner and golf enthusiast from Kempton Park.
“I would like to congratulate all the contestants. The challenge was not easy but you made it through. To Danie, I want to wish you many happy miles in your new Fortuner. You really delivered “the next level of freedom,” concludes Roodt.
Toyota would also like to acknowledge their sponsors for the Challenge; Salomon, Thule, Specialized, Supersport and the Conrad Pezula resort. Media partners included Media 24, Ramsay Media, Times Media, Cars.co.za and RedBulletin.
In addition to the 4×4 Challenge, South Africans were also given an opportunity to get involved and stood a chance to win a new Fortuner by backing their hero. The lucky entrant who won this Fortuner is Salmaan Essack.
