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    " Be forewarned, RFC is not for the faint-hearted, come physically & mentally prepared "


    RFC 2008 News Update, 5 May
    RFC 2008 News Update, 8th June
    RFC 2008 News Update, July
    RFC 2008 News Update, Oct
    The Beauty and The Beast
    The Invasion of the Baltic Knight
    The Unfinished Business
     
    RFC 2008 News Update, 5 May
     
    READY TO RUMBLE? Yes, said the new participants - from the Baltic Sea (Poland), North Sea (Denmark), Tasman Sea (New Zealand) to the Sea of Japan (Vladivostok, Russia), the Indian Ocean (Sri Lanka) and East and South China Seas (China). Therefore, its appropriate that we shall start off with the "Early Birds Entries" that we have received so far (30 April). For all those joining us for the first time - congratulations and welcome to the RFC world of 4x4 adventurers. The jungle awaits with another dose of thrills and spills for everyone (newcomers and returnees).

    1. First of all, Welcome to Terengganu - the host state for this year's RFC. This is adventure land, where the coming off-road battle stations will be played out in full in December. The rugged interiors have a fearsome reputation in RFC - the venues of infamous Great Escapes of 1999 and 2007 are best remembered, and where heroes are born! Don't miss out on Terengganu - a land of culture, heritage, natural wonders and ADVENTURE.
    2. We are pleased to announce that our association with Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) is on track for 2008 as we strive for the betterment of our off-road extreme sports. MAM once again is sanctioning this year's edition with same conditions as in 2007. MAM competitors license are valid for one calendar year, thus those holding them (since December 07) need not have to apply for them in RFC 2008.
    3. The Kiwis are the first to register their entry this year. Both Geoffrey Keith Gregory and Peter Kenneth Skilton will be coming in their Isuzu Bighorn, 2.8-diesel to test themselves for the first time. The NZ4WD magazine will be following closely the developments of this new Kiwi team.
    4. The previous Russian entry was in 2003 from St Petersburg. This time, from the Russian Far East, Andrey Kurdakov and his team will represent this largest country in the world, Mother Russia. They will be accompanied by another support vehicle and will be shipping their 4x4s from Vladivostok where the Russian teams are based. Andrey is also the President of Offroad Club Xtrack. "We were at the Prologue SS of RFC 2007 as spectators last year, it was an eye opener for us even though we have read Russian magazines on the RFC before. So, we decided that this time, its our turn to face our fears, see you in December," said Andrey.
    5. The Baltic knights from Poland will be coming with 3 new teams this year. These are : Rafal Pluciennik and Maurycy Wolny in a Jeep Wrangler Evo, 4.4 l-petrol, PTO winch, Marek Schwarz and Adam Wolny in a Jeep Wrangler Evo, 4.4 l - petrol, PTO and Miroslaw Koziol and Michal Sitko in a Uaz Evo, 5.9 l - petrol , PTO. The exploits of Marek Janaszkiewicz and Piotr Kowal in the Great Escape of 2007 made a great impact for the Poles. "Our awesome adventure facing the odds last year in the monsoon was big news in Poland, "remarked Marek Janaszkiewicz, Agnieska, Piotr Kowal and Babicz Wtodzimierz. There will certainly be more stories and participants to come from Poland later.
    6. The Danish teams are the first of the returnees to confirm their entry. They are Max Skjold and son, Jacob, with supporting crew coming from another son, Joaquim and his co-driver Thomas. By now, this Maximum and Minimum team needs no introduction, having been in RFC for many years. Their combat machines will again be Jeep Cheerokees of course.
    7. The Italians have finished their selections in April and the list will be forthcoming soon, according to Paolo Paoletti and Patrick Silvestri from RFC Italy. "45 well prepared 4x4s were present in the selection which came not only from Italy, but from Corsica, Slovenia and Austria. We brought the monsoon rains back to Italy it seems, as 24 hour rains poured down which erased our track preparation - so very hard work for us - but we enjoyed very much too," commented Paolo and Patrick. "We shall let you know soon who will be ready to appear in Malaysia to face their ultimate battle, "added Patrick.
    8. On a very sad note from Italy, we would like to express our condolences to the family of Mauro Caporali. Many of you, I am sure, will remember the "flying red jeep from Italy" which flipped in the river in RFC 2004. This image was captured on film and circulated around the world off-road magazines. Well, in the month of April this year, he succumbed to cancer and sadly, passed away. It was indeed a day of grief for all of us. Here's my condolence sent to his family : "It is indeed very sad news for us as we still remember him as a cheerful man, always smiling, always positive in the event, saying words like "no problem" even when we faced difficulties together when the rains came down in the jungle, always polite and friendly with us. And of course, we shall also remember his adventurous spirit in the RFC - and one of them will always be there for ever - the "Flying Red Jeep from Italy!"" the RFC - and one of them will always be there for ever - the "Flying Red Jeep from Italy!""
    8.1 "During the time that he was with us, I also remember that he, together with the Italian teams were always so happy and cheerful before the event, during the event and after the event. Of course, I also know the Italian temperament, but the warm and friendly spirit of the Italians are unforgettable, and so much fun to be with. That is what I shall always remember Mauro Caporali - dearly departed but always in our hearts here in RAINFOREST CHALLENGE. We shall all miss him very much but never forgotten!!"
    9. The Chinese adventurers are also gearing up for their extreme test in the jungle. This time with selections trails "a la RFC" will rigoursly be enforced on the Chinese 4x4 teams from Yunnan and other provinces, making a total of 5. The Chinese print (led by 4x4 Magazine, China) and electronic media will be backing up eventual winners for their ultimate test in RFC 2008 Terengganu, Malaysia.
    10. "The Thais will have their Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern champion teams in RFC for the first time this year," said Charnchai Petchin, RFC Rep. "The winners from Saraburi will be the first ones to be selected followed by the others until D-Day on 5 December, so expect a bigger Thai contingent this year," he added. Kop Kun Kap Khun Charnchai.
    11. On the competition side, there will be new changes as of this year, as announced earlier in our previous news update. However, suffice to say here that all competitor teams will be judged on their driving and recovery skills more than on the type of winch that they will use. Both the PTO and Electric winches will be scored in the same SS according to their category, earning equal points from fastest to slowest and all have equal chance for the Overall Ranking. It will be interesting to see which ones will emerge the eventual overall winners. Now, its not what winch you use but how capable are you in off-roading that counts.
    12. In anticipation of this year's changes and in keeping up with the times as we roll into the first year of our second decade, we shall conduct a re-training for all new and veteran RFC scouts/marshal groups as well as officials for this year's RFC. MAM will also be involved with us in this re-training, which is essential for the betterment of our extreme adventure motorsports. With this scheme, we strive towards a standard of marshals we can be proud of. Those who would like to be included, please contact our RFC Secretariat, subject to terms and conditions.
    13. In the spirit of the RFC which brings off-road people from around the world together, I am pleased to inform that very soon (in a couple of months) the very first English language magazine for 4x4 and SUV will be launched in Kuala Lumpur. This publication, which will be sold in South-East-Asia, is a collaboration between Gog Laszlo and Yamin Vong (CBT). Here, I would like to to be the first to wish them every success! Any activity, friendship and business collaboration derived from the association with RFC is a triumph for all of us in the off-road 4x4 fraternity. It's a living example of how we in the same interest group, are brought together for the common good through the RFC seed.
    14. Last but not least, I am pleased to inform that we shall, again, publish an annual publication of RFC 2007 Great Escape Stories/Monsoon War this year, in time for RFC 2008. This time, told and retold from the various angles and groups that lived through the wettest, longest and toughest of the RFC! As you are aware, the RFC story is a compilation of adventures from many groups that make up the convoy. Everyone will have their own story - from the scouts/marshals, officials, competitors, support crew, event HQ, media, etc.
    We have sent out the emails already to everyone involved, if you have not received, please let us know. Our annual 10th anniversary book (RFC 2007) is now distributed around the off-road world from Europe to Africa, Asia to Oceania and North to South America, counting more than 30 countries. Now, isn't it exciting to hear the stories (and see the pix) of those who have survived that now infamous episode? These will be on sale in December. If you have any news to share, you are most welcome to contact us. Meanwhile, we say adios for now and see you again in our next news update in June.