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Land Rover G4 finalists chosen

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<B>Devlin and Chester</b> <i><a href=http://www.wheels24.co.za/Wheels24v2/Components/w24_GalleryTemplate/0,5700,,00.html?path=http://galleries.wheels24.co.za/cars/LandRover/Camel/>Click here for Camel Trophy pictures</a></i></b>
<B>Devlin and Chester</b> <i><a href=http://www.wheels24.co.za/Wheels24v2/Components/w24_GalleryTemplate/0,5700,,00.html?path=http://galleries.wheels24.co.za/cars/LandRover/Camel/>Click here for Camel Trophy pictures</a></i></b>
They are Chester Foster, a 28-year-old information technology consultant, and Devlin Fogg, a 25-year-old professional adventurer and motivational speaker.

The talented duo came out on tops during the national selections at the Land Rover Experience in Mpumalanga recently. Johannesburg mechanical engineer Jeremy Green is the reserve.

However, only one of them will be selected to fly the South African flag for Land Rover in the all-new international contest that is poised to fill the gap left by Camel Trophy.

For 16 national candidates, each representing a major Land Rover market around the world, it promises to be the adventure of a lifetime, taking place in the United States, South Africa and Australia between March and May next year.

"It's an awesome opportunity to be chosen to participate in the first-ever Land Rover G4 Challenge, but only one of us will go through to the actual event after the international selections at Eastnor Castle in England," said Chester Foster.

"Although only one us will be selected, we are training intensely together and will be thrilled for whoever makes it. May the best man win!"

Naturally gifted

Devlin Fogg shares that sentiment, and the belief that a South African could carry off the ultimate adventure prize. "South Africans seem to be naturally gifted at this sort of thing and Chester and I will be giving it everything we've got."

Devlin's own adventure credentials put him in a strong position, being one of the eight member Pole2Pole 2000 Expedition which skied, cycled, canoed, walked and sailed 40 000km from the North Pole to the South, arriving at the South Pole in Antarctica to welcome the first light of the New Millennium.

"My dream is to become South Africa's greatest modern day explorer and adventurer, and I believe that by taking small steps you can achieve big goals. If I could have one wish, it would be to reach my full potential as a human being."

In the great tradition of Camel Trophy, G4 seeks out those for whom adventure is a way of life, challenging them to experience the thrill of pushing their personal boundaries to the absolute limit.

While the international selections take place late in January in England, the G4 action moves to New York and the ultimate urban jungle at the end of March, before shifting north to the ruggedly beautiful French Canadian province of Quebec.

Stage two of the Challenge takes in the Big Sky country of South Africa, and the remote rawness of Lesotho, before moving onto stage three in Sydney and the vast, intimidating Australian Outback.

The final stage sees the action back in the United States, but this time on the West Coast. Beginning in the extreme adventure capital of Moab, Utah, it moves through Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon and onto the aptly named Death Valley, where summer temperatures are crippling.

Paul Melhuish, managing director of Land Rover South Africa, says: "The G4 Challenge has been described as probably the single largest marketing activity Land Rover will ever embark on."

It is estimated that the event will reach a global audience of 575-million people through TV, radio and print exposure.

The name of the new contest is derived from G for global, with the 4 referring to 4x4 vehicles, the four international time zones in which the event will take place, and the four elements of water, heat, rock and ice.

The format for the competition is unique, with disciplines that will include 4x4ing, mountain biking, kayaking, climbing, abseiling, snow skiing, snowboarding and horse riding.

But it also takes the action into the heart of urban areas where spectator participation will be maximised.

And, for the first time, competitors will experience the entire Land Rover range, using Defender, Freelander, Discovery and Range Rover vehicles.

Click here for Camel Trophy photo gallery

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