Dream car, dream loss
Losing contestant claims he heard voice telling him to remove hand. Organisers say he may have been hallucinating
By Hedy Khoo
November 09, 2006
COULD he have been hallucinating?
After all, Mr Johnny Chua had been standing with his hand on a car for more than three days.
Mr Chua (right) removing his hands as eventual winner Mr Koh (left) stayed glued to the car. -- HEDY KHOO
Yesterday afternoon, he claimed he heard an official at the MediaCorp Radio Subaru WRX Challenge ask him to put his hand down.
He did - and lost a $90,000 Subaru Impreza WRX Limited Edition 2.5.
Organisers however, said no words were spoken and suggested that Mr Chua, 36, a graphic designer, may have been hallucinating.
The car went to Mr Alex Koh, 25, a naval officer, the only other contestant still holding out.
This year, 320 people joined the contest, in which they place their right hand on an assigned palm print on a car. The one who can keep it there longest, without moving it, wins the car.
The contest started at 1pm on Saturday, and almost 74 hours later, Mr Chua took his hands off the car.
WARNINGS
He had been issued two warnings for moving his hand earlier yesterday, and had two blue ribbons tied around his left wrist. One more and he would have been disqualified.
Two female officials were then seen approaching Mr Chua. This reporter could not hear what, if anything, was said.
But Mr Chua said one of the officials repeatedly told him to put his hand down. 'I asked her, 'Put down my hand?' She said, 'Yes.' So I put down my hand.'
And Mr Koh won the car, at 2.56pm yesterday.
Mr Bernard Lim, vice-president of Integrated Media Planning at MediaCorp Enterprises, said: 'It happened in the public eye. After 70 over hours, the contestants are all hallucinating, seeing things, imagining things.
'We follow the rules. Our marshalls stepped forward to warn both of them to keep their hands firmly on the car. It's a routine.
'Johnny, at the last break, was very tired. I'm sure the public could see.'
BREAKS
Contestants were allowed 5-minute breaks every six hours, with an additional 5-minute break at 11am yesterday.
Mr Chua, who was participating for the third time, said he was disappointed but would not contest the decision.
Mr Koh, who was runner-up last year, said he had not heard the conversation between the official and Mr Chua.
And even when he saw Mr Chua remove his hand from the car, he didn't move his own. He waited till he was told he had won.
The naval officer looked fresh, though he had not had a bath since Saturday, and had his hair still neatly in place.
He was smiling, waving to his supporters, and moving his legs and body to the music throughout the last lap of the contest.
And despite Mr Chua's claims, Mr Koh felt he had more will power and deserved to win.
'He wasn't feeling that well. Physically I had the upper hand,' he said.
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