According to the provisional results declared at the end of Day 2 of The Rainforest Challenge (RFC) India 2025, Chow Ujjal Namshum from Arunachal Pradesh, and co-driver Chethan Chengappa from Karnataka, continue to hold the top spot in the ‘4×4 Extreme’ category with 838 points out of 900. These scores are based on their performance in 9 of the 26 Special Stages (SS) of the competition.
The duo maintained their lead by scoring a perfect 100 in three SS and 95 points in another on Day 2.
Bijender Singh (co-driver Gajender Singh) from Delhi also retained second place with 750 points, while Rambabu Mareedu (co-driver Kumaraswamy Thalam) from Telangana climbed one spot to secure third place with 703 points.
Reflecting on their performance on Day 2 of the 11th edition of India’s biggest and toughest off-road motorsport event, Chow Ujjal Namshum said, ‘It was a good day overall and we are happy with our performance in most of the stages. We got stuck in a few places and had some mechanical issues too. But that’s part of the game, RFC India, throws something new at you every day.’
He added, ‘The pace has really picked up now. You have to push yourself and your vehicle in every stage if you want to stay on top. There is serious competition this year. Bijender Singh is right on our tail and there are at least three or four teams closing in fast. But we are staying calm and doing what we do best. We strategize for each stage and once it’s done, we move on—no looking back.’
Commenting on his strong performance in the ‘4×4 Extreme’ category, Bijender Singh shared, ‘I came to Goa this year with the resolution to stay in the top five in the early days, instead of preserving the vehicle and trying to catch up later. Over the years, I have realised that a conservative approach in the initial stages leads to major gaps that become impossible to close in the final days. While I am still cautious about vehicle damage, I am taking bolder decisions this year than ever before.’
As per the provisional results, Cyril Dmello from Mumbai (co-driver Ameer Sadiq), topped the leaderboard with 363 points out of 400 after four SS on Day 1 in the newly introduced ‘4×4 Modified’ category. Steven Fernandes (co-driver Balwant Jagram) from Goa followed with 331 points, while Manoj Biradar (co-driver Sachin Gadashetti) from Karnataka secured third place with 328 points.
Speaking about his Day 1 performance, Cyril Dmello said, ‘Over the past five years, I have participated in around 35 club-level competitions and finished on the podium in many of them. But RFC India has always been on my bucket list. I have attended the event as a spectator for years, so to finally compete, and finish first on Day 1, is incredibly emotional and exciting for me.’
He added, ‘The stages today were as challenging as expected. The technicality of the course design was exceptional; unlike anything I have experienced before. The 4×4 Modified category is new this year and the tracks were a smart mix of articulation and technical obstacles. They were not easy, some cleared them, others did not, but that is what makes it real RFC India stuff.’
Meanwhile, vehicle scrutiny for the 30 teams competing in the ‘4×4 Stock’ category was successfully completed today. Their competition will commence tomorrow.
With 77 teams competing simultaneously across three categories starting tomorrow, the coming days promise intense action and high-octane excitement for hundreds of off-roaders from across the country, who have gathered in Goa to support their favourite teams in the battle for the RFC India 2025 Champions title.
