Report & Photography: P.Tharyan
The
maiden edition of the Force Gurkha Rainforest Challenge (RFC) India witnessed
the 2-day Prologue stage that started on August 9, 2014 near the International
Centre Goa in Dona Paula. While heavily modified vehicles attempted some of the
toughest off-road hurdles on Day 1, a couple of foreign participants too are
expected to reach the venue on August 10 after their vehicles get cleared at
the Goa customs.
Around
25 competitor teams (Touring category) from all over India are expected to take
part in the six-day event that began on August 9 and will conclude on August 15
in North Goa. While these 25 will compete till the Prologue stage, another set
of 30 participants would compete further in the Extreme category. Each vehicle
will have a driver and a co-driver and they would have to navigate through
multiple off-road obstacles or special stages from South to North Goa. Rain and
slush will be an integral part of this tough adventure.
On
August 8 the vehicles went through scrutiny by an expert panel including
officials of the FMSCI. The vehicles had to comply with the RFC International
safety standards.
After
two days of tackling the 12 Prologue SS, the teams will venture into Jungle
Camp I where almost half the participants would retire to simply observe the
Extreme category drivers take on the
jungle challenges. In this challenge, the drivers will have to fend for themselves
while adhering to the stringent guidelines of the environment charter laid down
by the organisers.
The
journey will culminate in the Thriller in the Twilight Zone with an expedition
through jungle territory. The event has got the support of various off-roading
communities across India like Gerrari Offroaders Chandigarh and Bangalore
Offroad Development Association (BODA).
The
team with the least penalties and best overall time will win the event and will
get an automatic entry in the RFC mother event to be held in Malaysia in
November. The winners are expected to take a prize comprising goodies for Rs
75,000, 50,000 and 25,000 for the first, second and third positions
respectively. “This race is not about money, rather it is about camaraderie and
adventure,” said a member of the organising team.