Apollo Bringing Driving Challenge to Indian TV Screens

If you are reading this in India, the opportunity to be more than an “armchair rally driver” beckons. Apollo Tyres, in collaboration with the National Geographic Channel, is producing a seven episode driving adventure series in which motorists throughout the subcontinent have the chance to participate. The programme is titled “Apollo Flight of the Hawkz”, a name that takes its cues from the tyremaker’s Hawkz 4×4 tyre range. Indian nationals over the age of 18 that hold a valid driving licence can register their interest online at www.msnindia.com/natgeohawkz.

“This is not a motor sports event, meant for a few experts. Participants here will be people like you and me, who love their vehicles, enjoy a good drive and are willing to push themselves further with each milestone, all with key safety parameters in mind,” stated Apollo Tyres managing director Neeraj Kanwar at the series’ media launch. “Apollo Flight of the Hawkz will also have a green focus. We are working with environment specialists to ensure that we do not contribute any further to Apollo Tyres and Nat Geo’s existing carbon footprint, but work to bring it down substantially.”

The series, which will screen next March, focuses on 12 participants, divided into six teams. During the seven episodes their mental physical, driving, outdoors and safety skills will be put to the test on a journey that traverses dense forests, hills, beaches, dirt and mud tracks and river crossings. According to Apollo, challenges the dozen will face include “mind games and adventure sports”. In one particular task drivers will be pushed to “tame the challenges” of driving on varying road surfaces. The victor’s prize is an all-expenses paid adventure trip for two to Masai Mara, Kenya.