A week of adventure and thrills
It is going to be the ideal opportunity to see the best of off-roaders in action with the fourth edition of the Force Gurkha RFC India, to be held in Goa from July 22- 30, discovers Team B&C
India’s toughest international off-road motorsport even, Force Gurkha RFC India is all set to take place in Goa from July 22 to July 30. Organized by Delhi-based Cougar Motorsport Pvt. Ltd, the competition is the India chapter of the iconic Rainforest Challenge of Malaysia, which is amongst the top ten toughest motor races in the world.
Currently, the RFC global series has around 20 worldwide editions, with the India chapter being amongst the top three events in the series.
About 40 teams from across the country are expected to compete where they will be participating in around 26 special stages (SS) or challenges that will test their driving and vehicle recovery skills, team spirit along with their physical and mental strength under extreme off-road conditions.
From Goa three teams are prepping up to bring home the coveted trophy. They include Cedrick Jordan DaSilva (co-driver Dushyant Khosla), Tejas Prakash Shindolkar (co-driver Pushker Audi) and Dattaraj Dessai (co-driver Rohan Kalekar).
Of the three, Cedric DaSilva is an RFC India veteran. Though he has several podium finishes at other off-roading events in his bag, the Force Gurkha RFC India title has eluded him so far. DaSilva says that, participating in RFC India is one of the best things one can do as on off-roader. “My performance at the event has steadily improved over the years. I was at the fifth position in 2015 and improved to number four in the 2016 edition. I have entered the event this year with a clear intent of winning the overall trophy and I am fully prepared to fight for the ultimate prize.”
The beauty of this competition is that, the difficulty level sees a steady rise every season. Tejas Prakash Shindolkar, a 36 year old businessman, who participated in the event last year as well, claims, “RFC India is different and tougher than any other off-roading event in India. Each and every challenge is unique, different techniques and skills are tested in every special stage. Competing in this event requires a calm approach as well as optimum use of equipment and technique in a time bound system, which takes a toll on most of the participants.”
Dattaraj Dessai, the debutant participant says that he has been an ardent follower of the event ever since its launch in 2014. He says, “During the last three editions, I used to travel to all the locations and watch the competitors performing in the special stages. Then post event I would go to the same locations to practice. To be confident of our chances here it has taken me around two years to modify my vehicle, a Mahindra CJ340, as per RFC India specifications. My co-driver and I have been focusing a lot on our fitness and we have invested our share of energy, attention and money to prepare for the upcoming challenge. Participating in this event is the fulfillment of a long cherished dream and as the event date is approaching, I am feeling like a cocktail of excitement and nervousness!”
Source: http://www.navhindtimes.in/a-week-of-adventure-and-thrills/
