PETALING JAYA: Ten finalists of Subaru Palm Challenge 2014 will represent Malaysia at the Subaru Challenge-Asian Face Off in Singapore on Nov 8.

The challenge requires the contestants to keep their palms on a Subaru for the longest time possible, with the aim of winning the car.

The finalists were selected at the sixth edition of the Subaru Palm Challenge Malaysia Leg, which took place at Piazza, The Curve in Mutiara Damansara, here, recently.

The challenge saw 80 hopefuls try to keep their right palm fixed on a designated palm decal on a Subaru car from 10am to 10pm.

Every six hours, they were granted a 10-minute break to eat, rest and visit the washroom.

The 10 finalists each won an all-expenses paid trip to Singapore to compete against 390 other contestants from Thailand, Hong Kong, Philippines, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Singapore to win a Subaru XV2.0i in the grand final.

One of the finalists Muhammad Afif Drani, 29, was taking part in the challenge for the second time.

“I take part in a lot of competitions because I love to challenge myself. People may think this contest is easy as it requires less physical exertion. But it is mentally challenging as we have to stand for hours.

“Last year, I made it to the grand final but was eliminated. I hope to win the challenge this time and make Malaysia proud,” he said.

Norshira Rossaila Nordin, 25, could only make it to the top 28, but she was satisfied.

“I’m still proud of myself because I was the only female contestant in the top 28. My aim was to represent the country but I wasn’t lucky. I hope our finalists will beat the other contestants in the final,” she said.

The Subaru Palm Challenge is a test of endurance which was first held in Singapore in 2002 with only 120 contestants. Over the years, the number of contestants has grown to 400 from 10 countries.

The Subaru Palm Challenge Malaysia Leg was sponsored by Orient Watch. For details, visit www.facebook.com/ilovesubaru.

-NST