KOTA KINABALU: All vehicle owners registered to be part of the 15th International Borneo Safari 4x4 Expedition, which is a week from now, must make sure their vehicles are in tip-top condition and must be equipped with all the requirements – or else they will be barred from joining the convoy for the expedition.

At least 150 vehicles are expected to be in this year’s convoy, and yesterday a team of inspectors were busily going about their tasks of checking the vehicles at the Hi-Tech Electronic Centre along Jalan Tuaran.

Led by Hiew Min Kiyun, who is also the Chief Scout for the event, the team that also comprise Lim Sin Teck and Lee Yun Sang, started to scrutinise the first vehicle at 10 am and they will carry on with their tasks until at 5pm, today (Sunday).

Participating vehicle owners are well advised to send in their vehicles to undergo similar checks before being given the nod.

Kinabalu Four Wheel Drive Club ( KFWDC), President James Wong has called on car owners to adhere and comply with the scrutinising process and requirements because unfit vehicles would be omitted from the convoy list.

“We want to make sure that all the vehicles joining in the long convoy to be in tip top condition, fully equipped with winches, snorkels and suitable off-road tyres so that breakdowns along the way or deep inside the jungle will be greatly minimized,” he said.

“The scrutinizing team has been asked not to compromise with any shortcomings found in vehicles and only those certified fit by them will be granted berths in the convoy.”

James called on those who are yet to send their vehicles to do so today (10am-5pm) so as to avoid any last minute rush during the final scrutinizing process on Oct 21-22 at the Likas Square, which is allocated for outstation or foreign teams.

The convoy is set to flag-off at the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) building along Jalan Gaya on Oct 23, before the first Special Stage competition be held at Kampung Kibabaig, along the Penampang-Inanam bypass. By FRED LEONG