Seregno (Italy), March 14, 2018 – Everything is ready for departure. Once again, agricultural tractors are the stars of the Xtractor adventure on a splendid itinerary through the astonishing countryside of South Africa with its picturesque landscapes, unspoiled natural reserves and desert beaches bathed by the ocean. From April 3 to May 20, the team will take turns aboard four latest-generation McCormick tractors equipped with Agrimax Force and Agrimax RT 657 tires by BKT, sponsor of this captivating initiative. An unrivalled experience for all team members that includes 50 stages from Cape Town to Pretoria among arduous trails and thrilling missions to be accomplished.
Agriculture, technology and solidarity - these are the key words for this second South-African expedition. Definitely, BKT could not miss this opportunity in perfect harmony with the values of the Indian multinational, who is ready to prove the astonishing toughness and resistance of its tires under extreme conditions. The Agrimax Force and Agrimax RT 657 tires by BKT fully meet these requirements thanks to acknowledged features such as adaptability to road and terrain, flexibility, traction and reliability - ready to face the toughest challenges.
Yet, two are the patterns fitted on the four McCormick tractors: Agrimax Force IF 710/75 R 42 and Agrimax Force IF 650/65 R 34 for the McCormick X8 tractors and Agrimax RT 657 in sizes 650/65 R 42 and 540/65 R 30 for the McCormick X7 tractors.
In this new edition the Xtractor itinerary will reach the vast vineyards of the Cape Winelands, the immense Karoo semi-desert, follow the spectacular Garden Route embracing the Indian Ocean. And then again moving towards Port Elizabeth, South Africa's major seaport, the Greater Addo Elephant National Park populated by the Big Five, up to the Drakensberg, the Mountain of Dragon, in Lesotho, reaching 3,482 meters above sea level. And finally, travelling towards the sub-tropical coast of KwaZulu-Natal and Swaziland till arriving in the city of Pretoria, the journey's final destination. During the trip, the caravan the will also pass by locations where some partners of Tubestone, BKT's South-African distributor, have their headquarters such as Hi-Q Hoopstad, Champion Tyres Bothaville, Supa Quick Dalton, Supa Quick Tzaneen, Multi Tyres Villiers; and finally a visit to Nampo, the leading South-African trade show for the agricultural sector held every year in Bothaville, cannot be missed – this year it will take place from May 15 to May 18.
However, adventure is just one side of the coin. The team will also be involved in humanitarian missions such as the creation of a orchard and vegetable garden for the community in Ephraim Mogale scheduled for May 11 and 12 to ensure food and more well-being to local communities depending on help for further economic development, and a project of building a new 100m x 50m soccer pitch at Sedibeng West's high school. At the official opening on May 17, Iya Traoré, the king of football freestyle, will be present. He is BKT's official special guest at the main corporate events worldwide, lending his image to the Indian multinational for all its marketing activities. Last but not least, 500 BKT footballs will be distributed for free.
An excellent example of social commitment fully in line with BKT's working style based on shared values that are deeply rooted in the company's history, focusing on people and their well-being according to an actual giving back philosophy.
Obviously, it could not have been different in South Africa. BKT has always been committed to creating a sustainable business model on both the environmental and the humanitarian level. The BKT Foundation, which has been working tirelessly to sustain projects and ventures of different nature and origin in India, is a concrete example of this philosophy.
Supporting the docu-reality show produced by ID-ENTITY – a leading group in Europe specialized in digital communication content and service conception, production and management - are the McCormick branded tractors as well as Amref International and the Commando Force Unit for the Protection of Forest, Environmental, and Agri-food Resources and the 1st Parachute Regiment “Tuscania”, who will take part in the project as significant player making available their best drivers for the tractors.
