All you need to know about 2017 Force Gurkha RFC

The fourth edition of the Force Gurkha Rainforest Challenge (RFC) India will be held in Goa from 22-30 July 2017. The Rain Forest Challenge was first launched in Malaysia in 1997 and is amongst the top ten toughest motor races in the world (2013). RFC India is part of the RFC Global Series that includes events in Italy, Russia, the Balkans, Poland, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Tunisia, China & Australia.

The 2017 event has recorded 40 entries which includes three teams each from Goa, eight entries from Hyderabad, seven from Kerala, two from Pune, four teams from Mumbai, seven from Karnataka including four entries from Bangalore and four each from Delhi and Chandigarh, two from Tamil Nadu and one entry from Yamunanagar.

Notable amongst the new entrants is Shibu Varghese and his team from Kerala, who come with much off-road experience. This year's event will also see William Dwaine Jungen, from the US, who has 40 years of experience off-roading. William Dwaine Jungen will be driving the Scorpion MKI, representing Chandigarh's Team, IronScorpion. The vehicle comes with a 52-inch articulation and a 12-degree chassis role. It has a 5.7-litre V8 petrol engine that is paired to an automatic gearbox. The vehicle has undergone changes to comply with the rules and regulations of RFC.

With a large number of competitors racing with naturally aspirated V8 engines this year, the RFC has introduced separate classes for petrol and diesel powered vehicles that are above 3010cc. The vehicle weight too has been reduced, to improve the efficiency of winches, which is a crucial part of the sport. As per Ashish Gupta, the Founder and Director of Cougar Motorsport, "We are also contemplating adding a few night stages to make the competition more interesting. Some new sites have also been shortlisted, and we will be finalising them within the next couple of weeks."