Seconds Decide Akzirve Challenge

İSOFF revived a race concept that made a big impression in past years, and the Akzirve Challenge was held on Sunday 17 September at Strada, Akzirve's new project site.

Run with the backing of a major name in the 4x4 world, the Akzirve Challenge is a three-round series in which 4x4 vehicles of different categories and power outputs start in pairs and race against the clock on courses laid out to interweave via bridge crossings. The vehicles setting the best time in each round earn a place in the next one.
For the race, held on the site of Akzirve's Strada project, which is still under construction in Bahçeşehir, İSOFF prepared a twin-course layout starting from the same point and crossing over itself via bridges and tunnels. The 22 competitors who started were paired by draw and raced against the clock, using the strengths of their differently powered vehicles to the full. The race featured four separate classes, and the CJ-series Jeeps, which can now be called a classic, were also paired up in a class of their own.
Over five stages, the excitement rose from the very first knockout rounds. In a closely fought race, drivers looking to gain an edge over their rivals pushed their vehicles harder and harder and set ever shorter stage times. At the spectator area, which Akzirve had set up on a hill overlooking the course, the crowd enjoyed a thrilling and entertaining contest, as well as a pleasant day with music from Pal Station and a variety of refreshments.
Drivers chasing quicker times occasionally lost control of their vehicles and rolled on the tough stage, with its sharp bends. Ali Doğaner, competing in a CanAm, rolled three times and could not immediately climb out of the vehicle, prompting the ambulance crew at the venue to rush to the scene. Doğaner escaped the accident with a minor injury but was unable to continue in the race. Aziz Görkan, Bülent Karaduman, Saltuk Taşlıdağ and Vecdi Topçu were the other drivers to roll.

Sixteen vehicles were paired in the second stage. Eight drivers made it through to the third stage. Erkan Birinci (CanAm), Tarık Gökbay (DeToro), Nihat Keskin (Suzuki Samurai), Ali İşeri (Suzuki Jimny), Devrim Öztürk (Toyota Hilux), Burak Ayvaz (Toyota FJ70), Malik Akkafa (Toyota Hilux) and Kubilay Tüfekçi (DeToro) advanced to the quarter-finals.
At the end of the third stage, the four fastest competitors to reach the semi-finals were decided: Erkan Birinci, Devrim Öztürk, Tarık Gökbay and Ali İşeri. Ali İşeri, who reached the semi-finals in a Suzuki Jimny alongside three powerful Class 4 vehicles, received particular applause from the spectators.

The fourth stage produced two powerful vehicles and two fast drivers: Erkan Birinci and Tarık Gökbay. In the breathtaking final showdown, both competitors set the best times they had managed up to that point. Erkan Birinci took the flag first with a time of 6:45.34. Tarık Gökbay was second with 6:54.25, while Devrim Öztürk took the third step of the podium.

The competitors received their trophies at the prize-giving ceremony from Akzirve CEO İbrahim Maasfeh and Ayman Misto of Akzirve Group.