[Samurai]

Next we see the local favourite Cedric enter the track. May be the local boy will break the jinx.

https://youtu.be/06us9QAjluA

https://youtu.be/84AJxCxvKdg

https://youtu.be/nvXHBbH7pfA

Thus it took a local offroader Cedric to crack the SS-22 jinx at precisely 3:40pm that day. The vehicle before this was the only one in the top 10 to fail the SS. Everybody who followed made it through, jinx was indeed broken for good.

Let’s see one more team, this one from Coorg, driven by the famous veteran rallyist Jagat Nanjappa.

https://youtu.be/m6jBHELFBlU

While climbing the insane wall, it appeared as if the Jeep was having some engine trouble.

https://youtu.be/dgtjBkZNw6U

https://youtu.be/m7AlCnViaMw

And then they are home free…

[Samurai]

It was that time again, I move on to SS-21



Here is Sam Kurian from Kerala ready to take off at SS-21.



He has an interesting looking winch hook holder.



And there he goes… it is one of the cleanest effort I have seen all day.

https://youtu.be/uPT_JQfJmJs

At this point the camera battery died. But I have Abhinav doing the last part from earlier.

https://youtu.be/rk-f6n14aRo

And with that I was done with the Terminator Stage.

[Samurai]

Twlight Stage

Next day was a buffer day for Terminator stage. However, nothing was left for next day, so all the competitors got a full day for R&R&R (Repair-Rest-Recuperate). We media had our own media challenge. At first I was excited thinking we will get to do some real offroading in this wonderful terrain. But it turned out be just offroad drag racing in a Polaris 2-seater ATV in a mud trail. Since offroad racing was never my thing, I drove the ATV slowly hoping I’ll win from the last. But I lost at the other end too, as couple other guys DNFed. But I did have one unique accomplishment that day, at least my foot did. Guhan Shetty accidentally drove the Polaris ATV over my foot and it survived the ordeal.

The twilight zone was on the following day. Twilight stage is where all the competitors are sent into the jungle, and they have get out on the side within 10 hours. There are no tracks, bunting tapes or speed considerations. If you get out in 10 hours, 100 points are guaranteed. However, you can’t take help from others, that can get you penalty points. Not finishing, gets you nothing.

Since we had no plans to cover Twilight stage, I drove back after the media challenge. However, I did manage to arrange for some photographs from the twilight zone through my friends. Photo credits to Robi, Raju and Charnchai (Bangkok).

That’s the RFC founder Luis J.A.Wee

[Samurai]

After the twilight stage, there were two more SS, reserved only for people who completed the Twlight stage in 10 hours. I did watch couple of videos of those stages, it appeared to be testing the speed and handling of the vehicles while doing fast turns.

Here are the final results after all the Special Stages were completed:



Finally and for the first time, Indians won the Indian Rain Forest Challenge. The duo of Gurmeet Virdi and Kirpal Sing Tung from Gerrari Offroaders (Chandigarh) clinched the overall top title. It is an amazing achievement that they managed to catch up and surpass the veteran Malaysians in the 3rd year of the RFC. They must be really proud, as we are all.









The Force Gurkha RFC India 2016 Jungleman award was clinched by Abhinav Reddy Nukala and Laxmikanth Reddy Thota of Hyderabad Charminar OffRoad Adventure Club (CORAC).



The Force Gurkha RFC India 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award was clinched by veteran rallyist Jagat Nanjappa.



The Force Gurkha RFC India 2016 Most unique 4x4 award was clinched by Vivek & Ashok Kuriakosse of B.O.D.A.



The Force Gurkha RFC India 2016 Team Spirit award was clinched by Team Fairmont of Mumbai.



The Force Gurkha RFC India 2016 Environmental Award was clinched by KTM Jeepers



The Force Gurkha RFC India 2016 Service team award was clinched by Gerrari Offroaders Chandigarh.



Two years after RFC was introduced in India, much water had flown under the bridge, or I must say under the heightened chassis. The scenes at the 3rd RFC in Goa showed the changes that have come and are here to stay.

• The vehicle builds are no more science experiments. The builds are now more or less professional grade, using lots of imported and domestic special equipments and components.
• The driver/navigator pair have become highly co-ordinated and work at maximum efficiency, especially the ones that finished in the top ten. The remaining teams had some inconsistencies in either skills or vehicle build or support. Soon a day might come where the offroad teams may hire driver/navigators like in the F1 teams. Force Motor is already doing it, one of their Gurkha was being driven by the pair, who stood 2nd runners-up in the first two years. Curiously, despite the high visibility of Force Motors sponsored Gurkhas in the competition, no other independent team has fielded a Gurkha.
• The domestic 4x4 equipment/component suppliers have built a strong portfolio of products to cater to the local offroad machines like Gypsy & CJ/MM/Thar jeeps.
• Support teams have become very proactive too. While there were many breakdowns every day, the most vehicles used to be on the start line of the next special stage within an hour or so.

The End

[Raulspace999]

Excellent Compilation and truly shows the inroads such events have made in India compared to some years back.

[mac187]

Thanks Samurai for an engaging write-up. It was a wonderful read combined with the pictures (couldn't watch the video's as I am in office). I will read it again when i am able to watch the videos.

Congratulation to Gurmeet Virdi and Kirpal Sing Tung from Gerrari Offroaders. Couple of outings and you guys won the event.

[Turbanator]

Dear Samurai,

This must be one of best coverages of any event, anywhere that I have gone through. Everything is so well scripted with photos supplemented by videos that took me right into the event. I am sure you deserve a media award for this write up from organisers and I won't be surprised if the number of visitors in next Year challenge (including me) increases just because of this thread It will be an honour to meet you in person someday.

[jetsetgo08]

Dear Samurai,

The ardour with which the event was covered is evident from the pictures and clippings compiled in this thread. And the number of thanks will not be able to justify the effort.

Congrats to the winners, Gerrari off-roaders. Good to see Indians snatch the top spot.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

This must be one of best coverages of any event, anywhere that I have gone through..... It will be an honour to meet you in person someday.

Thanks and the honour will be mine. For me these events are another excuse to meet interesting people with common interest. For example, while waiting at SS-18 I spent hours in animated conversation with couple gentlemen about offroading and never even exchanged names.

[centaur]

One of the best threads I have read in a really long time. Kudos to you Samurai. While reading through, I almost felt as if I was there at the event. Great effort and thanks for bringing it to us. If this is what you could dish out with a malfunctioning(if I may call it that) camera, wonder how it would have been if the camera supported you all through.

[Raul258]

Thank you for the amazing thread and hats off to your efforts there. The kind of effort it takes to participate in an event like this really blows my mind away.
Most of the vehicles used super expensive parts and it's really sad they don't live up to the expectations.

[dhanushs]

Great report Sharath! and it was nice to meet you in Goa. I was 'almost' a participant this time, but skipped it. Was there for a couple of days, and yes, the difficulty levels have changed drastically! This years RFC was indeed more technical, and tested the man, the machine and equipment equally!

The Gerraris were outstanding, all through the event! Amazing team spirit, and definitely a worthy win! Along with Vivke's monster, one of the firsts and highlights at this years RFC would be the Giggle pin winch in Cedricks car.

Originally Posted by Samurai

Nor was DBHPian Dhanus who covered the RFC 2015 for Team-BHP.

Attachment 1541781
..

Didnt know I was this shabby! This was after recovering Raju Paul's Thar in the SS near to the road, with two 90degrees turns.

[discobiscuit]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Although I was bit confused by the action of Navigator Laxmikanth, where he is holding the tow rope to stop the Jeep from toppling over. Can one man really prevent the Jeep from toppling, or was he overly influenced by the movie Baahubali?
.

Yes.

During the entire twilight stage this technique was repeated at least half a dozen times by each vehicle to make it safely and securely over the long climb to the top which was making the cars roll over to its left. This effect can also be increased by looping the tow cable around a strong tree and releasing/loosening it as the vehicle is making progress in the forward direction.

EDIT - Congrats Gurmeet and Kirpal (not sure if you guys are on the forum). I always hoped someone someday would split the Force vehicles, and then you guys come and leave them in the dust. I guess Force India cannot come back next year with a Slogan like they did with this year saying, "It's not about the rain, mud, or the forest blah blah. It is all about beating the Force Gurkha aka Winners of RFC India 2014 and 2015. :LMAO:

Abinav and Lakshmikanth- You guys have to be the most technical team. You know your vehicle and know exactly how to make it work no matter what tracks or obstacles they put in front of you. Finally, and most importantly, well deserved Jungle Man award. Thank you for being the only team to finish Twilight but stop your car before the finish line and run back to pull us all out before you could head back to finish your SS in time............... Wonder what the Force guys were upto. Heard they were hogging lunch at around noon.

Cedrik and Floyd - Was a pleasure doing most stages with you guys. Truly an eventful show by both of you. The support you guys have is phenomenal.

Team Fairmont - aka Sam, Amrut, Harkirat and Sajid - Thanks for all the help. Was a great experience having you guys around all the time.

[Karthik Chandra]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Attachment 1541707

It is RFC time again.

Great report Sir,

Hats off for the attention to detail

The pictures were visual treat and makes me think that I had been there @ RFC

Thanks for the effort

[kkr2k2]

Thanks samurai san for this report. I was waiting for a some kind of report on the RFC.

Congratulations all the winners especially to Shab, a tbhpian and a hyderabadi. You make me feel happy on both the counts.

PS: Special thanks to fellow tbhpian autotranny for pointing out to this thread.