Perhaps, this one is definitely for the toughest in the field of off-roading specialists. Rainforest Challenge, which originated in the...
The Rainforest Challenge launched in India
The first ever
international off-road motorsport event of India to be held in August in the
Western Ghats
One of the world’s top ten
toughest motor races and the most internationally represented 4X4 off-road
motorsport event, the Rainforest Challenge (RFC) is now entering India with RFC
India’s first edition set to take place in August. The event will be held over
a period of ten days from 7th to 17th August and will
witness contesting teams struggling to survive through rugged terrains of the rainforests
of western India.
The hardcore adventure motorsport event has been introduced in the
country by Cougar Motorsport, which conducts off-road events in India for
various automobile manufacturers including Land Rover and Mitsubishi. The
announcement about India’s entry to the RFC Global Series 2014 was made in the
capital today with RFC Founder Luis J.A. Wee handing over the RFC India Flag to
Ashish Gupta of Cougar Motorsport.
Rainforest Challenge was first launched in the jungles of Malaysia in
1997 with an aim of giving an avenue to daring off-road driving enthusiasts for
sharing their passion and competing with like-minded people. Adventurers from
all over the world have participated in this challenge of a lifetime where competitors
are taken through mud, drenching rain, steep slippery slopes, deep ruts,
gullies, flooded rivers, and landslides that are mercilessly demanding and
dangerous. Over the years, RFC has not only become an annual international off-road
challenge of Malaysia but has also been replicated globally in countries like Italy,
Russia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tunisia, China and Australia. Listed in the top 10
Toughest Motor Races in the World, RFC has now set its eyes on catering to the
needs of its fans in India.
According to Mr. Wee, “Globally, RFC follows the motto of the survival
of the fittest, not only in terms of physical fitness but also mental
endurance. It is an extremely tough challenge for all 4×4 fanatics who dream of
taking on a jungle adventure with all its hardship, endurance and extremities;
especially considering the fact that RFC’s core philosophy requires for the
event to be organized in the rainforests in monsoon season. Now it’s time for
the Indian off-roaders to join the ranks of the world 4X4 community and with
RFC coming right at their doorstep, they have the best opportunity to upgrade
both the skills of man and machine with real live action and learning
experience. I would like to see how well Indian off-roaders are able to stand
the unpredictable jungles amid perpetually wet conditions without losing their cool
and positive frame of mind. Hopefully, they will live up to the standards that
have been set by RFC Champions globally.”
Over 50 teams, both Indian and foreign, are expected to participate in
the first edition of RFC India. The participants will have to complete 30
Special Stages (SS) designed by experts from RFC Malaysia across a multitude of
obstacles where the challenge is to complete each SS in the fastest time and
score the highest points. The Prologue
stage will be followed by the Predator and
Terminator stages that will be laid inside and on the fringes of the
jungle. The final stage of Twilight Zone
will be an overnight drive across uncharted jungle territory.
Commenting on the partnership with the Rainforest Challenge, Cougar
Motorsport’s Director Ashish Gupta said, “It is a matter of pride for all of us
to see India on the global RFC map. All 4x4 offroad driving enthusiasts in
India aspire to participate in the Rainforest Challenge but it is difficult for
them to travel abroad with their vehicles and be a part of this mega
international event. With RFC coming to India, they will get to experience the
same level of extreme offroading and competition as the mother event in
Malaysia right here in their home ground.”
Following the announcement of the launch, registrations for RFC India
2014 have also started. Entry Forms can be downloaded from the RFC India
website www.rfcindia.in
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