The first edition of RFC India is all set to take the country by storm. Explore the other side of Goa from August 8-14 in the toughest off-road motorsport event to hit the country.
The blinding rain has limited visibility and the cry of a lone wolf can be heard in the distance. The modified 4×4 is covered in mud and a fallen tree blocks its path. The driver can’t go around it nor can he cut it down and his competitors are way ahead. He has to think fast because the rain has caused a landslide and it’s headed his way!
This is not a movie script, but this is exactly what is in store for our Indian off-roaders. Off-road enthusiasts and 4×4 vehicle owners, gear up for the most exciting and toughest motorsport event ever witnessed in India. The Rainforest Challenge (RFC) India is here! Introduced in India by Cougar Motorsport Pvt. Ltd., the first edition of RFC India will take place in Goa during the peak monsoon season from August 8-14.
The Rainforest Challenge was started by Luis J A Wee in Malaysia in 1977 for off-road enthusiasts. In the animal kingdom the lion is at the top of the food chain. It hunts down the weak gazelle to nourish itself. The weaker animal perishes and the fitter one prevails. RFC is designed around this theory of the survival of the fittest. With successful editions of the RFC in Italy, Russia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tunisia, China and Australia earlier; RFC India will give Indian off-roaders and 4×4 clubs here the international experience at home.
What to expect at RFC India?
RFC India will be a test of the participating teams’ mental and physical skills, companionship, motor skills and vehicle. The teams will have to spend six days fighting the rain, manoeuvring through the changing paths and flooded rivers. They will encounter vicious insects and beautiful sights. The participants will have to traverse close to 250 kms from South to North Goa competing in Special Stages set in natural terrain and prove to themselves that they can conquer anything. As the RFC Founder Mr. Wee says, “Life is an adventure. Live it to the full; don’t wait for tomorrow if you can make it today.”
Eligibility
The 2014 edition of RFC India is open to anyone with a road registered 4-wheel drive or an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Participants can take part in this event as Competitors or Touring Adventurers. One vehicle can have a team of two. There are 50 slots for participants, of which 40 will be reserved for Indian entries and the rest for foreign entries.
The Challenge
RFC is not for the weak-hearted. The terrain is not merciful. The six day challenge is divided into four sections – the Prologue, the Predator, the Terminator and the Twilight Zone. There will be 30 Special Stages (SS) divided between the four sections. The SS will test driving and recovery skills in extreme off-road conditions and will be designed by experts from RFC International.
The Prologue will be where spectators can experience all the charged off-road action. This is proposed to be held close to town where the viewers will be amazed by the range of modified 4×4 vehicles and ATVs. The Predator and Terminator sections will involve camping on the jungle fringes. Participants will have to fend for themselves, battle the rain, cook their own meals and set up their own camps. The Twilight Zone is an expedition drive through the jungle. Explore new territory and meet creatures of the dark. Contestants will also have to complete an SS task in this section.
Sounds easy? It won’t be. The lashing rains tend to alter the paths. Participants will have to deal with unpredictable erosions and landslides, fallen trees and other unexpected hurdles.
Crossing the Finish Line
The team with the best overall time and least penalties wins. This team will get an automatic and free entry in the RFC mother event to be held in Malaysia. The ‘Team Spirit Award’ will be given to an individual competitor based on leadership skills, ability to motivate others and work with team mates to ideate solutions. The winner will be decided based on individual points assigned to competitors daily for non-SS tasks. The ‘Jungleman Award’ is a prestigious individual award presented to someone who shows exceptional survival and 4-wheel driving skills, good teamwork, excellent recovery and outdoor skills. The ‘Environment Award’ will be given to an individual or group of individuals who care for and try to preserve the environment. The individual must believe in the RFC policy of staying in tune with the environment. Other awards such as ‘Most Unique 4×4’ and ‘Ladies Team’ will be given away too.
The entry fee for Competitors and Touring Vehicles is INR 75,000 and INR 10,000 respectively. Foreign entries will be charged at USD 2,500 and USD 333 respectively.
The participation forms, event schedule, rules and regulations and all other details of the event are available at www.rfcindia.in.
