Force Gurkha Rainforest Challenge is a national event that has been taking place in Goa for the past two years. The third edition of this seven day event has just got underway in Goa and will climax on July 29. This event will qualify Indian drivers to participate in the International event known as Malaysian Rainforest Challenge (RFC), which is due to take place later this year.
The Malaysian Rainforest challenge is considered to be one of the toughest motor sport events in the world and has preliminary rounds happening in 25 venues across the globe. The Indian circuit is considered among the most popular. Out of the 30 competitive teams participating from across India, only 1 will qualify for the Malaysian Rainforest Challenge.
The Indian edition of the Rainforest Challenge was launched in 2014 by Cougar Motorsports Pvt. Ltd. and is sponsored by Force Motor Ltd. The event has been divided into four stages to be held across Goa.
- The venue for the initial stage, which is referred to as the Prologue Special stage (SS) will be held at the Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat in Dona Paula.
- The second (the Predator) and third stage (the Terminator) will take place at Quepem (Cavorem) in South Goa.
- The Final stage (Twilight SS) will be held at Sattari (Morlem) in North Goa.
“In the last two editions we restricted the participation numbers to 25. However, the response this year was so overwhelming that the registrations were closed two months prior to the event which restricted some of the RFC India pioneers from making it to the list.” said Ashish Gupta, founder & Director, Cougar Motorsports Pvt Ltd while addressing a press conference in a report.
Judging criteria
For the successful completion of each stage, the teams will be awarded points. The competition evaluates the driving recovery skills of the participating teams in off-roading scenarios. Penalties are imposed when a team fails to complete a task, for non-adherence to the rules and damage to the flora or fauna at the location.
Event schedule
Source
| Date | Day | Time | Activity | Venue |
| 22 July | Friday | 0900 hrs – 1800 hrs | Event HQ | The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula
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0900 hrs – 1600 hrs Vehicles available in Goa can schedule an appointment for their vehicle scrutiny on 21st July as well |
Scrutiny | Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat, Dona Paula | |
| 1230 hrs onwards | Press Conference | Mandovi Hall, The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula
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| 1700 hrs | Compulsory Drivers Briefing | Mandovi Hall, The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula
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| 1930 hrs onwards | Opening Night (Invitation Only)
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Bay 15, Odxel Beach, Dona Paula | ||
| 23 July | Saturday | 0900 hrs | Ceremonial Start | Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat, Dona Paula
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| 1000 hrs – 1900 hrs | Prologue SS 1-6 | Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat, Dona Paula
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| 1930 hrs onwards | Entertainment (Invitation Only)
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Bay 15, Odxel Beach, Dona Paula | ||
| 24 July | Sunday | 0900 hrs – 1900 hrs | Prologue SS 7-12 | Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat, Dona Paula
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| 25 July | Monday | 0600 hrs | Convoy Assembly | The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula
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| 0630 hrs | Convoy Departs for Predator Venue | The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula
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| 1000 hrs – 1900 hrs | Predator, SS 13-18 | Quepem (Cavorem), South Goa
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| 26 July | Tuesday | 0900 – 1900 hrs | Terminator SS 19-24 | Quepem (Cavorem), South Goa
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| 27 July | Wednesday | 0900 – 1400 hrs | Completion of pending SS | Quepem (Cavorem), South Goa
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| 1400 hrs – 1600 hrs | Media Challenge | Quepem (Cavorem), South Goa
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| 1600 hrs | Convoy departs for Twilight Zone
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Quepem (Cavorem), South Goa | ||
| 28 July | Thursday | 1000 hrs – 2200 hrs | Thriller in the Twilight Zone | Sattari (Morlem), North Goa
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| 29 July | Friday | 0730 – 1030 hrs | Twilight SS 25-26 | Sattari (Morlem), North Goa
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| 1200 hrs | Convoy Departs for Closing Venue
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Sattari (Morlem), North Goa | ||
| 1430 hrs | Arrival of the Convoy at The International Centre Goa and end of the Event
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The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula | ||
| 1700 hrs | Closing and Prize Distribution | The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula
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