[.anshuman]

This was the fourth edition of Rain Forest Challenge India - an annual off-roading event held in Goa, started in 2014 by Cougar Motorsports. This year the total duration of the event was 9 days, consisting of 26 Special Stages, which will be referred to as SS in this report. There were 40 teams from different parts of the country, out of which, 15 teams were participating for the first time. The event started with vehicle Scrutiny on July 22 at The International Centre Goa (ICG) at Dona Paula, wherein all participating vehicles were checked for their compliance with RFC India safety specifications and drivers were briefed about the rules and regulations pertaining to driver and co-driver safety. The contestants who successfully cleared the scrutiny proceeded for a ceremonial flag-off, held on July 23 at the same venue. The special stages started on July 24.

The list of participants for this year’s RFC:


Change in format - Earlier Rain Forest Challenges used to start with the Prologue stages within city limits at Dona Paula. These were held in the initial days of the event. Now, these stages have now been moved to the end. Instead, the Jungle stages are now held on the initial days of the event. There were a total of four different locations - one was in the city and the others were at campsites.

I arrived after the India 4x4 week and vehicle scrutiny were over and began covering the event on the third day of the stages - starting from Special Stage 10 (SS10). This was the second campsite of the event and the second day at the same site. I have not covered any competitive 4x4 event prior to this, so this report is more from a newbie’s perspective, unlike last year’s excellent report posted by Samurai. I am going to focus more on the stages than the teams or vehicles. We were staying at Dona Paula and the commute to the campsites was long - 2 hours one way. That made for a tiresome 4 hours of commuting a day.

For off-road groups, RFC India means a lot. These teams spend the whole year preparing for the event. I have seen some of the teams from Delhi NCR, practice every weekend without a miss, fine tuning their skills and vehicles for what is the biggest off-roading event in India. RFC surely has raised the standards of off-roading in India - more so in terms of skills and vehicles. These days even local off-road groups in the north have sorted builds, unlike the contraptions we saw few years ago.

This time of the year is the peak of the monsoon season in Goa. When I arrived, the online weather predictions were showing rainfall for almost all of the days. The Day 3 campsite location was amazingly beautiful with greenery all around. The issue however for media guys (us) was getting from one obstacle to the next (some of them were more than kilometre apart) with all the raingear, water bottles, and camera equipment over the muddy access route. But, the beautifully designed / chosen obstacles and the enthusiasm of the participants more than made up for the effort. The weather was humid, but pleasant for most of the time with frequent showers.

Beautiful location with pleasant weather on day 1. This was the second campsite:




The first thing I saw on the campsite were the support teams working on the cars:


Off-roading is very harsh on the competing vehicles, however customised and durable they may be. Most support teams were extremely competent, fixing major issues within minutes between the stages and carrying out complex jobs which otherwise takes days for regular folks in workshops:


This year there were no competing vehicles based on the Gurkha. Only the organisers were provided with a few Gurkhas. I could see just one new Gurkha. Force Motors are the sponsors of this event:

[.anshuman]

Let's start with the first Special Stage of Day 3 - SS10. But, before that, let's have a look at the rankings at the end of previous day.

At the end of Day 2, team #106 (Siddartha Santosh and Prithviraj AC) from BODA, Bangalore were leading in the overall standings followed closely by last year's winning team - Gurmeet Virdi and Kirpal Singh Tung from Gerrari Offroaders, Chandigarh.

SS10

The beginning of SS10. The first car I got to see was the leading team #106. Ready to start with the stage:


The first obstacle was a steep descent on a wall followed by a tight left turn. Team #106 handled it smoothly, engaging the front locks:


The second obstacle in the stage was a steep climb, which they managed in two attempts without winching. Some of the following participants had to use their winches. The climb was followed by a descent:


And the final obstacle was a steep incline, which was also at an angle. So, winching was a necessity. Team #106 preparing to winch:


Winching begins, but the vehicle was at slight tilt and winching from an angle resulted in some weight transfer causing the vehicle to topple in no time. Not being able to do a self recovery, the team took a DNF:


The toppled Gypsy:


Back on its wheels with the help of a winch from another vehicle:


Having seen the previous Gypsy topple, the following teams were more cautious and most were able to clear this section easily by winching. This is team #139 (Sanbir Singh Dhaliwal and Gurpratap Singh) from Gerrari Offroaders...


...followed by team #124 (Venkat Devineni and Karthik Varma) from Hyderabad Jeepers Adventure Association:

https://youtu.be/WmvPJRfne0Q

SS11

SS11 was all about sprinting to this climb and taking a U-turn within the specified area. The front tyres had to leave first, while everything had to be packed and co-driver had to be seated before the rear tyres crossed the markers:


Here is team #139 at SS11:


Unlike the previous teams, they did not use the front winch. Instead they used the rear winch to help with tight U-turn maneuver:


The rear winch technique worked well for them. They did not waste much time here:


Even the obstacle on the way back was tackled easily. This team scored 87 points for this obstacle. So, I am guessing in terms of time and with no penalties, they were ranked fourth for this obstacle:


Toyota Land Cruiser-based build from Delhi NCR. One of the steering linkages gave up at this obstacle. Here the vehicle is waiting to be recovered:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1fo...ature=youtu.be

SS12

The same team #139 again at SS12. At the speed I was moving, this was the always team attempting to tackle a new obstacle whenever I reached it. While this was a coincidence, the good part was that they were quick to clear the stages:


The first obstacle in SS12 was a sharp dip followed by another decline and a climb up the same route:


This Gypsy-based build was running a 1.3-litre engine and even the gear ratios were stock. That posed a problem whenever taking steep climbs head on with a lot of relying on the clutch. Those big diameter tyres spoiled the game further in terms of gearing:


The last obstacle of the stage was crossed easily with none of the tyres leaving the ground:

https://youtu.be/EN9YpFeWCAo

[.anshuman]

SS13

SS13 was similar to SS12 - one steep climb, a loop and back:


Same gearing issue faced again. What could have been tackled easily, had to be done with the help of a winch:


Winching was done quite fast:


Still, they lost a lot of time and places on this stage:

https://youtu.be/B1ISNvDoQvY

SS14

SS14 required the use of a winch. This all I could see in the long time I spent here hoping for some successful attempts:


Two vehicles had back to back winch failures. I could not find any successful attempts here. So, I decided to move on to the next stage:

https://youtu.be/QPcrcu0fHYM

SS15

SS15 began with a long sprint:


The ground was bumpy, but teams were able to carry decent speed:


The actual obstacles were simple:


Going through a fixed loop...


...and resuming the sprint again on the bumpy straights. Overall, I would rate this SS as easy in terms of difficulty, but logging fast times in a vehicle meant for slow speed off-roading was a task in itself:

https://youtu.be/hLohvRbdJj4

Results at the end of the day:

[.anshuman]

SS16

The next day started with a coincidence again - team #139 in action as soon as I arrived at the first SS. Negotiating the boulders...


...followed by a winched climb...


...and another winched climb, which was much steeper - almost like a vertical wall:


This obstacle seemed interesting to me. So, I decided to check a few other vehicles here. Next in line was team #110 (Dr. Chaitanya Challa and Shabarish Jagarapu) from Hyderabad Jeepers Adventure Association:


Winching at the first obstacle was smooth...


...but, at the second (and steeper obstacle), while the co-driver was preparing to winch, the driver decided to take it on without the winch. The steep wall resulted in weight transfer and see the result:


Thankfully driver was not hurt. The roll cage served its purpose:


Even with a toppled vehicle, the team did not lose hope. They tried to winch the car, but they could not get the winch to free spool:


So, they had to take a DNF. The recovery team helping them to recover the vehicle:


Next in line was team #109 (Bijender Singh and Gajender Singh) from Northern India Offroad Club, Delhi NCR. Winching at the first obstacle was smooth:


Winching at the second obstacle began smoothly as well, but the engine started misfiring. Still, they managed fine:


Next up was Malaysian team #102. They cleared the vertical wall fast and easy:


Veteran rallyist Jagat Nanjappa attempting SS16:

https://youtu.be/Qn18iqd_VyE

SS17

SS17 was a tight turning Jungle stage with huge boulders:


This turn was particularly tricky:


Winching was required at multiple locations:


At this tricky spot, most teams relied on rear winches to help them steer:


This SS was full of big boulders:

https://youtu.be/JA9w-U_NQT4

SS18

SS18 was a stream crossing:


Drive across the stream, go up the slope, take a U-turn and come back down. Then drive through the stream...


...and finally take a climb. Everyone had to use a winch:


Team #106 taking on the final obstacle of the SS18:

https://youtu.be/GHVx_8DV81U

Results at the end of the day:

[.anshuman]

SS19

Again, SS19 - the first SS for the day, had an entertaining start. It had two tricky climbs that required winching:


Team #129 (Sushant Saini and Deepak Bagga) from Yamunanagar, Haryana taking on the first winching climb. The engine in their vehicle sounded awesome - probably some big petrol V8 (the Toyota 4-litre V8 is becoming popular in the builds from the North):


While I liked the vehicle, the team's communication and coordination was completely lacking. The co-driver could not convey the situation at all. He could not even communicate the side on which to go. In the process, they managed to bring a tree down with improper winching technique and wrestled with the vehicle for whatever time that was left. What was good was the strength of the vehicle. Anything not built properly would have lost the front tyres and suspension in no time:


They wrestled with the terrain and vehicle for 15 minutes till the maximum time for the attempt was exceeded. By that time, the winch battery was also completely drained:


Team #139 in action again:


Even with the puny 1.3-litre engine and simpler mechanicals, they managed to clear the stage efficiently:


Attempting the second winching climb:

https://youtu.be/hOUnRdQtTzY

SS20

SS20 was a high speed sprint track along with a high obstacle:


Team #139 had a gearbox issue here. The transmission was refusing to shift:


They tried but they had to take a DNF:

https://youtu.be/Ppp-qL8U7H0

SS21 - SS24

Team #119 (Guhan Shetty and Umesh Narayan Rane) tackling the final obstacle at SS21:


Team #112 (Tejas Prakash Shindolkar and Pushker Audi) starting on SS21:


SS21 was an interesting tight jungle stage...


...with a water crossing, taking a U-turn and going on the same track again:




Team #106, which was no longer in the lead, attempting SS21:


Coming back on the stream...


...and taking the exit:




Unfortunately, I could not cover the other three obstacles as all three had vehicle recoveries going on. Being tight trails, recovery took a long time. Pictured here is a vehicle being recovered using a winch. It had a burnt clutch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7XMi4qp8x8

Results for the day:

[.anshuman]

The Scorpion 4x4 was the most popular car amongst the spectators. Its performance in this event may not reflect its actual capability. For some reason, it was driven way too conservatively throughout the event:


The interiors of the Scorpion 4x4. Probably the only vehicle in this competition with automatic transmission. The Scorpion is powered by a 5.7-litre, V8 petrol engine:


All the essential gauges in a simple layout:


The huge 40 inch diameter tyres. Tyres beyond 40 inches are not allowed in this competition:

SS25 & SS26

The stages for this last day were held at Dona Paula, within walking distance from the place we were staying at. These stages, till last year's competition, used to be held in the beginning of the event. Earlier, the remote campsite stages were located far from city limits, limiting the number of local spectators. These stages, being set within the city, had a far higher influx of spectators.

This was the first day I got to witness the Scorpion for the full obstacle:


Scorpion winching out of an obstacle in SS26:


This is the last obstacle in SS26:


Team #132 at the same obstacle in SS26:


Following the co-driver, the driver climbed from the wrong side of the obstacle:


Going again from the correct side, he hit the marker and took a 10 point penalty:


By the time they reached, the vehicle had a broken shaft. They could not complete the stage:


Last obstacle at SS25, required use of sand ladder while winching. These were the last Special Stages:

https://youtu.be/du_dJNUn7Fw

In the evening, the final results of RFC 2017 were declared:

[.anshuman]

If you are curious to know about the rules and regulations of RFC, here a few excerpts:

All the Vehicle classes

There will be Six Classes and One (1) Overall Ranking as below:

• Up to 1,610 cc petrol or diesel engines
• 1,611 to 3,010 cc petrol engines
• 1,611 to 3,010 cc diesel engines
• Above 3,010 cc petrol engines
• Above 3,010 cc diesel engines
• UTV (supplementary rules & regulations for UTVs will apply. UTVs will compete in a separate Class and will not qualify for the Overall Ranking)
• Overall Ranking

Vehicle Specifications

• This event is open to all road registered four-wheel drives, provided the vehicle currently or previously has been sold to the general public or the government by the manufacturer. The event is also open to non-road registered UTV’s
• (Utility Task Vehicles having seating for two people side by side with a steering wheel similar to that in a car or truck and not a handlebar system).
• No prototype, 4x4 commercial vehicles, vans or agricultural vehicles are allowed.
• Chassis of a production type 4x4 vehicle and a bulkhead of a production type. 4x4 vehicle is compulsory.
• Chassis can be strengthened and modified to allow fitting of non-standard engines and suspension systems. Front & rear overhangs can be modified.
• Shortening of the chassis is allowed.
• Unusual or extraordinary 4-wheel drive vehicles can be considered for entry.

Guidelines for classification of vehicles to be identified as declared model

A competitor’s vehicle should be able to be identified as a declared model and any one of the following original sections or parts of the declared model will be considered as qualifying criteria:

• Front grill with light assembly
• Engine compartment and bonnet
• Driver and passenger cabin with A-pillar, B-pillar, bulkhead, doors, roof, floor and windscreen
• When seated in the cabin, no part of the engine, bell housing, gearbox, transfer case, drive shafts, propeller shafts, winch / winches or winch cable / cables will be visible.

List of compulsory modifications-

• 6-point roll cage (refer to Appendix 1).
• Minimum 4-point harness (refer to Appendix 1).
• Minimum 8,000 lb front recovery electric winch fitted with an automatic operational brake, steel or synthetic rope, hooks with working safety catch and a dual battery system. Any protruding winch “horns” must not be pointy and be made of material having a radius of at least 30 mm.
• Air intake snorkel.
• A mechanical battery isolation switch (circuit breaker). Winch circuit is exempted (refer to Appendix 1).
• Fuel tank outside passenger compartment with spill proof inlet (refer to Appendix 1).
• 3,000 kg (rated) recovery point painted red or yellow on the front and rear of the vehicle (refer to Appendix 1).
• Mud type tread pattern non-agricultural tyres classified for road use with maximum 40” diameter and at least 60% tread depth (refer to Appendix 1).
• Flare material, extending the whole length of the wheel arch, to cover wheel and tyre combinations protruding past the vehicle body.
• Upright laminated windscreen.
• Bonnet covering the engine and rotating pulleys.
• Doors with half doors to be at least 150 mm above the highest part of seat swab.
• Crew name and blood group stickers on both front fenders.
• Fire wall between passenger compartment and the engine bay.
• Working lights, indicators, wipers and horn.
• Soft top vehicles to have roof protection to protect the crew from intrusions consisting of minimum 3 mm thickness aluminium or 2 mm thickness steel plate or high impact plastic panel extending the full width of the vehicle from the windscreen frame to the rollover protection and terminating behind the heads of the crew.
• Open backed vehicles to have a wire mesh cargo barrier of minimum 3 mm thickness aluminium or 2 mm thickness steel (with maximum openings of 50x50mm) fitted immediately behind driver and co-driver seats. Cargo barrier to be secured in at least 4 places by clamps or bolt on brackets.
• If equipment such as radiator / wet batteries are relocated from the engine bay to behind driver or co-driver, a steel, poly carbonate or Perspex wall must be fitted to the entire opening and sealed from the cabin.

Compulsory Equipment

• Spare wheel.
• Hi-Lift Jack.
• Minimum 8,000 kg tree trunk protector (Minimum width 75 mm).
• Winch Extension strap / rope compatible to winch rating.
• Minimum 5,000 kg recovery strap 6-9 metre in length.
• 4 shackles (min 0.75 inch) rated at 3,250 kg or better.
• Rated snatch block.
• Ground anchor.
• Waffle boards / sand ladders.
• ISI / FIA / FIM Standard crash helmets.
• 2 x pair finger enclosed leather or material gloves.
• 2 x 1 kg (dry weight) cable dampeners (500 mm x 900 mm recommend size).
• One valid 1.8 kg or two 0.9 kg operable ABC type fire extinguishers, mounted within easy reach of the driver and co-driver.
• Comprehensive first-aid kit.
• Garbage bags (minimum 10 pcs).

Special Stages Main Penalties-

10.1. Competitors that do not present their vehicle and start an SS will receive a DNS with 0 points.

10.2. Competitors that do not reach the designated SS marker will receive a DNF with 10 points.

10.3. Competitors that reach the designated SS marker, but do not complete the SS within the allocated time will receive a DNF with 20 points.

10.4. If 4 wheels of the vehicle cross the course boundary to gain an advantage, or if both crew members are not inside the vehicle at the finish of an SS, the competitor will receive a DNF with 20 points.

10.5. Ten (10) points penalty without warning:

• Failure to wear seat belt correctly.
• Failure to wear helmet correctly.
• Stepping over / under a live cable / rope.
• Handling a live cable / rope / dampener / sleeve.
• Carrying cable / rope inside the vehicle.
• Riding on outside of vehicle.
• Failure to use a tree trunk protector.
• Abandoned or unrestored recovery equipment.
• Breaking bunting or knocking down peg.
• Failure to follow course / event directions or rules.
• Failure to stop when signalled to stop by a marshal.

10.6. Ten (10) point penalty after one warning is given:

• Handling winch cable / rope without gloves.
• No cable dampener / or improper placement of dampener.
• Continuing to stand in front of vehicle whilst winching.
• Failure to wear proper clothing.
• Continuing any unsafe practice.
• Excessive wheel spin and failing to recover on direction.
• Holding or pushing bunting to improve line of vehicle.

Scoring system

12.1. Competitors that complete the SS will be allocated points in order of merit from fastest to slowest as follows:


12.2. Timing will be scored to the tenth of a second.

12.3. Stage awards will be calculated on highest points scored. Penalties will be deducted for infringements including from DNF scores.

12.4. If two or more competitors finish an SS with the same elapsed time, they shall be awarded equal points and placing in the SS. The competitors with the next fastest time shall be placed according to their own finishing positioning in that SS. The placing left vacant due to the tie will not be allocated.

12.5. Competitors will be awarded 100 points on successful completion of the Twilight Zone Expedition SS in the allocated time. Competitors that fail to complete the Twilight Zone within the allocated time, but reach the SS marker will receive 30 points. Those that complete the Twilight Zone Expedition SS will be eligible to compete in any further SS that are conducted after the Twilight Zone.

12.6. In case of a tied score in major awards, the winner will be decided by a count back. The winner being the one with the least amount of penalties incurred. If this fails to break the tie, then both will be tied as winners in their placing.

[Aditya]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the 4x4 Section. Thanks for sharing!

[hok kolorob]

Brilliant report with some fantastic pictures and videos. Hats off to those drivers, who did not lose courage, even after the car is toppled. This shows years of training, practice. Equally brilliant job by all support teams.

Hope they allow visitors, so may be next year a TBHP meet with an extra ordinary event :-)

[bblost]

Such a awesome report. Loved it.
Every picture is so captivating. Takes you right into the thick of action.

Thanks for sharing.

[Mafia]

Wonderful coverage!

Loved the pictures and videos! Now I want to attend the event the next time

Surviving is as good as winning in the wild!

Is Jagat Nanjappa the same motorcycle rally legend?

[Samurai]

Great report Anshuman!

Amazing event RFC has become, I am kicking myself for missing the event this year. The vehicles look even more badass compared to last year.

What kind of different tactics did you see when compared to the events you are familiar around Delhi? For me it was a culture shock when I saw them at first.

Originally Posted by Mafia

Is Jagat Nanjappa the same motorcycle rally legend?

Yup, the same one.

[BlackPearl]

Superb report Anshuman! The obstacles look insane in pictures and videos. I can't imagine how they will look in real life and that too from the driver's seat.
One question, which vehicle according to you was the best suited for this event, not considering driver skills?
Hope to see you someday participate in this with a team-bhp banner

[Shubhendra]

Originally Posted by .anshuman

The Scorpion 4x4 was the most popular car amongst the spectators. Its performance in this event may not reflect its actual capability. For some reason, it was driven way too conservatively throughout the event:
Attachment 1668678

They were carrying limited spares and nothing for them is available in India. You might have seen their last SS, it was cool

In the evening, the final results of RFC 2017 were declared:
Attachment 1668771

Hi Anshuman,
Nice and crisp report!
It was provisional result announced at ground just after completion of SS 25 and SS 26.
After final results, overall second runner-up were team #106 (Siddartha Santosh and Prithviraj AC) from BODA, Bangalore.
Though team #139 (Sanbir Singh & Gurpratap Singh) were one of the most fearless team and especially considering the level of modification, they were treat to watch.

Day 1 of RFC had toughest obstacles in the history of RFC India and SS2 was invincible (again a first time for RFC and David the course master).

Will share few pics from my mobile of the event.

Regarding Scorpion being driven carefully, They were carrying limited spares and nothing for them is available in India. You might have seen them in last SS, it was cool.

Regards,
Shubhendra

[whitemm550]

Hi Anshuman.
fantastic pictures and a fabulous report to say the least. now i must complain to you that i tried my best to locate my fellow bhpian at the RFC, but maybe due to my busy schedule i couldn't locate you, missed a photo up with my fellow bhpian. next time maybe.
Regards
Ashesh