Hundreds of off-roaders from across the country will converge in Goa to participate in and witness India’s toughest off-road motorsport event. Amidst all this preparation, Tejas Prakash Shindolkar and co-driver Pushker Audi, of Goa-based off-road club ‘Incredible Offroaders’ are honing his skills so as to participat in the immensely challenging motorsport extravaganza.
Force Gurkha RFC India, launched in 2014 by Delhi-based Cougar Motorsport Pvt Ltd, is the India chapter of the iconic Rainforest Challenge of Malaysia. The event is divided into four competitive legs, i.e. the Prologue, the Predator, the Terminator and the Twilight Zone, which are further bifurcated into 24 special stages. The participants are put under extreme offroading conditions where their driving and vehicle recovery skills are tested through a series of tasks. The event runs on a point system and the team with maximum points at the end of the competition clinches the ultimate RFC India title. Also, the Indian driver with top score gets an automatic free entry to the RFC Mother Event, to be held in Malaysia at the end of the year.
Despite having over a decade of offroading experience, this is the first time that Tejas will be competing in Force Gurkha RFC India.
“RFC India is totally different from the rallies that I have participated in so far. It is more challenging and a complete new learning experience. I see RFC India as a platform for me to gain knowledge. In fact, the toughness of the event will help me prepare for the challenges of life,” said Tejas, who has participated in various offroading events including the Pune Pathfinders Carnival and the Mahindra Great Escape.
Referring to this event as a tough challenge for him, the 34-year-old businessman from Margao says, “This year the competition is definitely going to be much tougher. I will be competing against people who have been a part of RFC India in the previous editions and have more experience than me. They are familiar with the RFC India tasks and its rules and regulations. So, it is going to be extremely challenging for me.”
However, Tejas believes he has several advantages over the other 24 teams participating in the event. His knowledge of the terrain and weather conditions of Goa as well as the morale boost that he will get due to the support from fellow Goans who will be watching him in action can act as plus points for him, paving his way to RFC Malaysia. Moreover, he does not have to spend time and money on vehicle transportation, hospitality, etc. which leaves him free to concentrate on preparing himself and his vehicle for the upcoming challenge.
Another Goan off-roader, Cedrick Jordon DaSilva, who is an RFC India pioneer and was a contestant in the last two editions of the event, has not been able to secure a place in the list of 25 confirmed teams for the 2016 edition due to delay in registering for the event. However, his name is included in the five teams that are in the waiting list, the final decision on the fate of which is pending. If the event organizers decide to allow these five teams to compete, then there will be two teams from Goa competing in the event this year.
