MONSOON MUDFEST

The Rainforest Challenge (RFC) of Malaysia is regarded as one of the toughest motoring events in the world. The extreme off-roading event tests the mettle of its participants and not just the outright power and performance of the 4x4 vehicles. The Indian edition of the Rainforest Challenge is held in Goa annually and, in its fifth year running, the event ranks as one of the top three out of the 51 global editions held across 21 countries each year.

If you think these numbers are huge, then the massive list of 41 participating teams will startle you further. Participants from as far as Arunachal Pradesh and as many as 10 teams from Kerala will be entering the competition, setting up base in the touristy state from the July 21 to 28.

The event, however, takes participants, journalists and spectators away from the sunny beaches and into the dense forests of Goa. At this time of the year, the dense forests and slippery terrain become particularly challenging due to the treacherous monsoons and high humidity levels.

To make matters worse, the participants have to go through a variety of tests through seemingly impossible stages, testing their mental, physical and motoring abilities.

Teams will only comprise a driver and a co-driver, who will negotiate 26 ‘special stages’ where the team with the maximum points at the end of the competition will take away $10,000 (approximately Rs 6.9 lakh). The icing on the cake for the winners team is a free entry to the RFC Mother Event to be held in Malaysia at the end of the year.

Force Motors with Malaysian drivers was dominant in the competition for the initial couple of years while Chandigarh’s Gerrari Off-roaders have been victorious in 2016 and 2017.

With so many entries this season, the Indian edition of the RFC is sure to see some high-octane, earth-churning action.