Merkezefendi Embraces Off-Road Racing

The 2nd DENDOFF Local Off-road Race, hosted by Merkezefendi Municipality in Denizli, took place on 6-7 May. With 22 vehicles and 44 competitors from a number of different provinces taking part, the field tackled the forest stage on the first day before settling matters on the second day at the Merkezefendi Municipality Off-road track.

The Özgür Yaprak-Aykan Demirkapı crew won the event in a Land Rover Defender, with Erdoğan Kovancı-Halil İbrahim Elieyi second in a Jeep Wrangler and Hakan Özdemir-Mehmet Can third in a Mitsubishi Pajero. The İlayda Hancı-Batuhan Korkut crew, competing with TurkMotorspor.com as media sponsor, had started the event in first place but failed to reach the finish after a fire in the electrical system of their Suzuki Vitara on the first day...At the prize-giving ceremony after the event, Merkezefendi Mayor Muhammet Subaşıoğlu presented the trophies to the top finishers, while DENDOFF President Hüseyin Uyar in turn presented the mayor with a plaque of thanks.Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Subaşıoğlu said: "Off-road racing began last year on 29-30 October with demonstration runs. In 2017 we have started with local races, and God willing we want to get onto the national racing calendar in 2018. After that, once we have been successful at national level, we want to put our name to an international event as Merkezefendi. Our whole aim is to raise the bar every day and improve the quality so that together we can deliver an even better event."