Applications to be an Independent Media representative in the 2025 Fortuner Challenge powered by Quartz Engine Oil are in full swing.

At stake is a Toyota Fortuner GR-Sport 2.8 GD-6 AT and this year’s challenge follows the same recipe as previous years with four sporting heroes teamed up with four contestants from different media houses including Independent Media.

Over two days, each team competes in a variety of tough challenges and at the end, points are tallied to see who walks away with an incredible collection of prizes.

Apart from the Fortuner GR-Sport worth R900,000, the winner also gets to take home enough prizes to fill South Africa’s favourite SUV.

You’ll get a host of Thule accessories. Attached to the Fortuner are Black Thule Evo racks and a Thule Force XT Roof Box. There’s also luggage including a Thule Chasm set, 26 litre backpack, 40 litre duffel and a 110 litre Roller to the value of R47,195.

Because cycling challenges form an integral part of the event, the winner gets to keep their Specialized (CORR) mountain bike worth R39,000.

The Fortuner will need to be fueled up and to that end there’s a Total Energies fuel card worth R10,000.

Orientation is also a factor in the challenges and when it’s over there’s a Garmin watch worth R24,999 you get to put on your wrist.

As a clothing sponsor, Salomon comes to the party with clothing to the tune of R9,650.

So what are you waiting for?

If you’re good at offroad driving, running, cycling, navigational challenges, watersports and can keep a cool head under pressure while solving problems and building puzzles then this is for you.

In short you need to be extremely fit, good at speed, endurance, mental and physical problem solving.

Bear in mind though, you need to provide a valid driver’s licence and evidence of a good level of fitness.

Go to https://www.fortunerchallenge.co.za/independent-media enter and you’ll go into a draw to be named one of Independent Media’s three semi-finalists.

These will then progress to the final selection process where one will be chosen to represent us.