Rainforest Challenge (RFC) India is back for its eighth edition, which will be held in Goa from July 23-30. This sees the off-road event return to its usual July-end monsoon slot, after the previous two years were impacted by the pandemic – the 2020 edition was cancelled and the 2021 edition pushed to late-August.
- Winners will progress to RFC Grand Finale in Malaysia
- Returns to its July-end schedule after 2 years
- 3 new teams have joined this year
Rainforest Challenge format
Rainforest Challenge India is widely regarded as one of the most challenging off-road competitions in the country, and, over the years, it has amassed a cult following. The event is a part of the RFC Global Series, with winners of the India leg progressing to the Grand Final in Malaysia to be held between November 27 and December 8.
The event tests the competitors’ driving and vehicle recovery skills, teamwork, as well as physical and mental endurance under extreme off-road conditions. Each team – comprising a driver and co-driver – will have to make it through 26 Special Stages (SS). RFC India follows a points system, so the team with the maximum points at the end of all stages will be crowned winners.
28 teams sign up for 2022 Rainforest Challenge India
28 teams from across India have signed up to compete in this year’s event. This includes nine teams from Telangana, six from Maharashtra, four from Goa, three from Delhi, two each from Arunachal Pradesh and Karanataka, and one each from Kerala and Chandigarh.
“Over the years, RFC India has emerged not only as the country’s most prestigious off-roading competition, but also a week-long congregation of off-roaders from all over India where they exchange ideas, experiences and technical knowledge,” said Ashish Gupta, founder and director, Cougar Motorsport (organisers of RFC India). “It is encouraging to see the sport growing with new talent coming forward every year. There are three new entrants this year as well and I am looking forward to yet another fantastic edition. I am excited to see what new tricks, techniques and surprises the contestants have in store for us.”
Gerrari Offroaders Chandigarh’s Kabir Waraich and co-driver Dushyant Khosla won last year’s Rainforest Challenge India.
Dipan Sur
