The 11th edition of India’s biggest and toughest off-road motorsport event, The Rainforest Challenge (RFC) India, officially commenced in Goa today, marking the beginning of a high-octane battle among 77 competing teams from across the country. Organized by Delhi-based Cougar Motorsport, RFC India is the India Chapter of the internationally acclaimed Rainforest Challenge of Malaysia, which is ranked among the top 10 toughest motor races and top 5 toughest off-road races in the world. Since its debut in 2014, RFC India has grown into the most prestigious off-road motorsport competition in the country.
This year, RFC India has expanded its format to include two new categories, ‘4X4 Modified’ and ‘4X4 Stock’, alongside the flagship ‘4X4 Extreme’ category. These additions aim to make the competition more inclusive and accessible to a broader segment of India’s growing 4X4 community.
Luis J.A. Wee, Founder, The Rainforest Challenge, said, ‘Congratulations to all the participants for being winners at the start of The Rainforest Challenge India, 2025. You will be challenged in mind, body, and machines in the coming days, which will surely uplift your experience in India’s premier 4×4 off-road event and be qualified as a 4×4 warrior in the international standard of RFC Global Series!’
The competition has attracted teams from 11 Indian states, which are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Karnataka and Maharashtra lead the charge with 24 and 18 teams respectively, while 9 teams from Goa are set to represent the host state. In a first for RFC India, a team from Meghalaya will also be competing this year, participating in the newly introduced ‘4X4 Modified’ category. In an exciting development, all three categories will witness participation from women.
Regarding the upcoming competition, Ashish Gupta, Founder & Director, Cougar Motorsport, said, ‘RFC India has always been about pushing boundaries, of vehicles, and of human capability. With the introduction of new categories this year, we are excited to welcome a more diverse range of participants. The entry of teams from newer regions like Meghalaya is a sign that off-roading culture is growing deeper roots across the country. We look forward to an intense and inspiring week of competition.’
The 77 participating teams have been divided across three categories based on the level of vehicle modification and off-road preparedness. A total of 25 teams will compete in the ‘4X4 Extreme’ category, which features the most challenging terrain and technical requirements. The ‘4X4 Modified’ category will see 22 teams in action, while the ‘4X4 Stock’ category, designed for near-factory-spec vehicles, has attracted the highest number of entries with 30 teams.
The competition will run till August 3, 2025, with each category facing a distinct set of challenges. The ‘4X4 Extreme’ category participants will tackle 26 gruelling Special Stages (SS) designed to test their driving skills, vehicle recovery techniques, physical and mental endurance as well as teamwork. Vehicle scrutiny for this category was successfully completed today, with the competition set to begin tomorrow. The ‘4X4 Modified’ and ‘4X4 Stock’ category competitors will undergo scrutiny on July 29 and July 30 respectively, before taking on 20 SS and 14 SS respectively.
The stakes are particularly high in the ‘Extreme’ category, as the top Indian driver will earn a free automatic entry to the Rainforest Challenge Global Grand Finale to be held in Malaysia later this year.
The winners in all categories will be announced at the conclusion of the event on August 3, following what promises to be an adrenaline-filled contest set against the rugged, rain-drenched landscapes of Goa.
