Rainforest Challenge race to make India debut

The Rainforest Challenge (RFC), one of the world's 10 most toughest races and reputed 4X4 off-road motorsport event, is entering India, with the first edition set for August.

The event, RFC India, will be held Aug 7-17 and will witness contesting teams struggling to survive through rugged terrains of the rain forests of western India.

The hardcore adventure 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 here Tuesday 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 to give 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 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 been replicated in countries like Italy, Russia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tunisia, China and Australia.

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.

"It took riders 48 hours to cover 12 km in twilight zone in last year's RFC Malaysia," said Wee.

Cougar Motorsport founder Gupta told IANS the event costing Rs.1.5 crore would not have any prize money.

"This is not about money, it is about conquering fear and making your country proud," added Wee.