Kuala lumpur: Mini 4x4 RC Crawler enthusiasts now have a dedicated spot to test their skills at the Bukit Mentok track, which offers off-road driving simulations and rugged obstacles. Kemaman RC Crawler Club (RCK) chairman Zulkarnain Ismail, 45, said the 1.5-kilometre track is one of the longest in Peninsular Malaysia and was built to provide participants with a realistic driving experience and a chance to tackle technical obstacles.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, fans, whose vehicles are about one-tenth the size of real 4x4s, will appreciate the opportunity to take on the hilly track built by RCK members through gotong-royong. "The track was constructed with challenging elements such as hillsides, climbs, slopes, caves, suspension bridges, and streams to test the endurance of the vehicles and the skills of the handlers in conquering the rugged terrain. In addition, the safety of RC Crawler operators is prioritised with safety ropes, ladders, and lighting along the track to ensure the activity can be safely conducted at night," Zulkarnain said when met at Bukit Mentok today.
RCK secretary Muhammad Adli Fahmi, 35, noted the track's popularity, highlighting that hobbyists can test their vehicles and enjoy recreational hiking at Bukit Mentok, a well-known casual trekking spot. "Typically, they take about an hour to complete the hike on the 1.5 km track while operating their mini 4x4 vehicles," he said.
RC Crawler enthusiast Mohd Badrul Amin Maharuddin, 28, shared his experience, mentioning that he modified his vehicle's suspension and tyres to handle the obstacles and technical sections at Bukit Mentok. "Every track has a different difficulty level, so we need to modify according to surface conditions. Otherwise, vehicles can easily lose grip or flip over when climbing obstacles," he explained.
Mohd Saiful Adha Shamsudin, 51, added insights into the design and capabilities of RC Crawlers, which are much smaller than real vehicles but have the same design features and capabilities as full-sized 4x4s. He stated that most are modelled after real vehicles, including the Toyota Land Cruiser, Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, Land Rover Defender, Suzuki Jimny, and Mercedes-Benz G-Class. "The price varies by model and specifications, ranging from RM1,000 to RM8,000 per unit, excluding accessories and modification costs," he added.