INDONESIA (Biz Hub) — The International Indonesia Off-road Expedition 2013 (IOX) recently took place in the country, stretching 1,500k through Sumatra forest and Gayo Plateau before finishing in the country's third biggest city, Medan. Sixty cars spent 15 days conquering the adventurous off-road route. Twenty vehicles were upturned, but nobody was injured and the cars finished the challenge unscathed.

Biz Hub introduces a bunch of photos taken by Phan Minh, a member of the Otofun Vietnam team.

The Chairman of Off-road Indonesia delivers his opening speech.

 

The drivers relax before the expedition.

Waiting for the start.

A car receives a helping hand from a three-wire winch. The slope may look vertical, but the drivers weren't worried.

A car inches forward. On one side lies an abyss. At times like these, the co-ordination between the driver and his navigator is crucial.

This stream put two KTM cars out of action.

It's difficult to remember how many streams we have passed during this challenge.

In one day I think we crossed 20 or 30 streams. Diesel engine adventure cars are the best for these conditions.

Each car has one bag for litter hung behind it. Nobody is allowed to leave their litter along the way. There should be no trace of us except for our wheel tracks in the mud. This rule has been seriously observed by everyone and even cigarette ash, which causes forest fires, has been carefully binned.

It's a chore to deal with the terrestrial leeches which always appear in rainy days.

There are sections where passing was almost impossible.

The team enjoyed sunny conditions for the first several days, but it rained continuously afterwards.

An upturned car receives help.

The team driving through the night.

We couldn't turn on the lights in the car at night because we would attract various insects. To prevent marsh fever or insect bites, we were advised to eat about one gram of chili per day.

We did it! A photo from the finishing point.