On the morning of September 26, the longest-standing and largest terrain car race in Vietnam entitled PVOIL VOC 2020 was officially kicked off at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Hanoi’s Son Tay District.
Opening of PVOIL petroleum distribution station
Being originated from the game of terrain car enthusiasts, the Golden Wheel contest was organised in 2008. Two year later, the prize was developed into a national tournament and was renamed the VOC Vietnam Terrain Car Race.
In 2019, thanks to the companionship from PVOIL and other sponsors, the Vietnam Off-Road Car Race changed its name to PVOIL VOC 2019. It was expanded and upgraded in both quality and scale.
Organizers put high expectations for auto races in general and PVOIL VOC in particular in 2020. However, the the Covid-19 pandemic affected auto racing in Vietnam. The F1 tournament, which was scheduled to be held in April 2020, was canceled.
In the difficult situation, OTOFUN luckily successfully organized the TC Motor Gymkhana Championship by Otofun 2020 in Ninh Binh, right before the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic was reported. And later, the Vietnam Off-Road Car Race PVOIL Cup 2020 was organized.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Hoang - Head of the Organizing Committee of PVOIL VOC 2020, speaks at the opening ceremony
Speaking at the PVOIL VOC 2019 opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hoang - head of the PVOIL VOC 2020 organization committee, said that: "PVOIL VOC 2020 is not only the first national off-road tournament held in 2020. The tournament was held with scale, quality even better than 2019’s. PVOIL VOC 2020 gathered 80 teams with 160 local and foreign athletes. The athletes compete in 4 categories: Vietnamese Pickup, Basic, Advanced, and Expanded. The number of tracks was maintained at 10 tracks and 1 night adventure track. The difficulty of the contest, the tracks were adjusted to match each category.”
Not only the large investment in technology, the safety and communication strategy for the contest, PVOIL VOC 2020 received special attention from the organizing committee. The thorough preparation began with the design of the testing tracks. Their positions, the barrier system were carefully calculated.
Insurance regime for all athletes, organizing committee, executive board, the media reporters in the tournament ... were built well. The guard force was set up properly together with the Examination Road Safety Subcommittee. A medical team with an ambulance on duty 24/24 was arranged and free masks and hand sanitizer was prepared for all of people.
Mr. Cao Hoai Duong - Chairman of PVOIL's Board of Management speaks at the opening ceremony
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Cao Hoai Duong - Chairman of PVOIL's Board of management said: "The world has never faced such a difficult situation like what we had to suffer recently. Despite the difficulty, with high determination of athletes, organizers, sponsors ..., the PVOIL VOC 2020 tournament took place as projected. Although this is the 5th year that PVOIL has accompanied the Vietnam Off-Road Racing Championship, the second year associated with the same brand name, the feeling at PVOIL VOC 2020 is different. Through the previous seasons, we have received great support from the organization board, Otofun.net, OTV Media JSC, as well as the community of off-road racers. Let me express my deep gratitude on behalf of PVOIL to the organization board, delegates, agencies and organizations for supporting the tournament. I also want to say thanks to the athletes and cheerleaders. Good luck to 160 riders from 80 teams. May we all become winners, at least winning ourselves. Finally, I hope that 2 days of competition will bring us many deep experiences and memories that will never be forgotten. "
Mr. Doan Van Nhuom – President & CEO of PVOIL presents flowers to congratulate the organizers of the race.
As planned, this year's tournament will take place on September 26 and 27 at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, Dong Mo - Hanoi. At 8:00 am, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hoang held a flag-raising ceremony to officially announce the start of the PVOIL VOC 2020:
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