Rainforest Challenge 2000

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Rainforest Challenge 2000 - Live Your Passion in 4x4 Adventure!

The biggest internationally represented 4x4 adventure action event ever held anywhere in the world will be taking place soon in Malaysia, from 25th November to 5th December. With competitors and press coming from 30 countries, this assembly of 4x4 vehicles and enthusiasts from North and South America, Asia Pacific, Africa and Europe will be sharing friendship, teamwork and camaraderie as well as giving their best to win the prestigious Individual Champion, Team Champion, Team Spirit Award, Jungle Man, Most Unique 4x4, Environment Award and Special Awards.

The event format is to test the drivers and co-drivers skills and ability to overcome various obstacles to the maximum along the nearly 800km of logging tracks during the rainy season, the North East Monsoon. It will mean overcoming muddy stretches, slippery uphill ascents and equally tough downhill descents, crossing rain swollen and fast flowing rivers, landslides and deep ruts. Conquering all these and completing the entire journey is in itself, an achievement, let alone winning the various awards.

Apart from these, one has to contend with the high humidity, which drains the strength from bodies and legs already soaked with rain and sweat for long hours. One has also got to be self sufficient for the entire 10 days as well as able to take the hardship and beating from whatever Mother Nature throws at them. Everything and everyone going into the RFC must prepared to the maximum possible or they would not be able to complete the journey.

For the competitors, they have to endure the hardship of the transport stage as well as being able to take the rigours of the Special Stages (SS). At the SS, they will be especially tested for their driving and recovery skills to the fullest, and thus earn points that will add up to the championship at the end of the event. These are the very difficult parts of the event, selected by the organizer to test the teams to their limits and beyond.

The rest of the convoy will have to travel the transport stage from beginning to end. Under rain soaked conditions, even an easy track during the dry season can be transformed into an awesome obstacle which can take hours to go through, even just over a few kms. These include the print and electronic media following the event as well as officials, observers and touring adventurers. They all know the score, nobody is here on holiday, everyone has got to work and assist their fellow adventurers to go through from one place to another, come what may.

For all of the above, the RFC has also earned the recognition as the greatest teambuilding exercise of the 4x4 kind in the world from the foreign media. It is an opportunity for all true blue outdoor lovers who wish to live out a jungle adventure to the fullest as well as an opportunity to get to know liked-minded people from around the world.

This is definitely not a rally event, where competitors will have to speed over long distances during the SS. Accelerator and engine power do not rule supreme in a challenge adventure 4x4 competition, but recovery and thinking power to overcome the obstacles in the fastest time to earn maximum points do make a big difference.

The event was created by its founder, Mr. Luis J.A Wee in 1997, and RFC has since caught on with many 4x4 enthusiasts globally. His dream of making Malaysia the venue where serious off-roaders can come for an exciting adventure together seems to be taking root. He has not only created an event, but, he is also in the unique position of launching RFC overseas selections in other parts of the world, with the aim of bringing the best teams to Malaysia for the final. So far, 8 countries have joined in the hosting of RFC qualifying rounds, with more coming in each year. This is another achievement not commonly seen in 4x4 adventure events except previously by the Camel Trophy (CT). Events aside, he also formed the World 4x4 Council gathering off-roaders of the adventure kind to one entity. This too, is progressively catching on worldwide.

This year, the event will start off in Ipoh, Perak at Dataran Bandaraya on 25 November. It will commence with full pomp and razzmatazz befitting its image as the 4x4 event of the year not only for the state of Perak, but also for Malaysia. With support and endorsement from the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, the state governments of Perak and Terengganu and all their state agencies and departments as well as corporate ones like the main sponsor, DMIB Bhd (Simex tyres) and Malaysia Airlines, it looks like another exciting edition for RFC. This year, the General Operations Force of the North Brigade (Briged Utara) will be providing the backbone communications and safety backup, thereby giving additional muscle and status to RFC. This will also boost up the image of Malaysia as a professional and serious organizer of world class events.

After Ipoh, the convoy will cross the Main Range (Ttitwangsa) to Cameron Highlands and from there to Gua Musang. The second stage will continue from there to Hulu Terengganu, crossing Kenyir Lake region before ending the journey in Kuala Terengganu. With coded names for the areas that they will be passing through, for example, Predator, Terminator, Twilight Zone, Fire Fox and Bridge to Nowhere, expect only battle ready women, men, machines, accessories and tyres to make the attempt. This is the time to test the best of the best. Thus, all sorts of equipment, accessories and tyres will be brought in for the ultimate challenge. Only battle proven products will bear the Born in the Rainforest Challenge mark with distinction.

A tropical secondary jungle environment is such that the existing and/or disused logging tracks can turn into formidable obstacles during the rainy season. A single day’s thunderstorm of high water intensity will make sure of that. Furthermore, the environment is a non issue here as heavy rain will obliterate whatever tyre tracks left behind by the convoy. There is no broaching into virgen jungle. And, last but not least, the adventurers are at the forefront of protection of the eco-system, a strict jungle code of ethics is enforced and everyone looks after the environment as we pass through leaving nothing but footprints and tyre tracks.

So, come this November, when the wind and rain of the North East Monsoon will be at their height, spare a thought for those extra-ordinary breed struggling through endurance and hardship, in their pursuit for adventure. The Rainforest Challenge is a time to live your passion in 4x4 adventure to the fullest.

Event Secretariat: Motorsports Adventure Sdn Bhd.

tel:603-4602211, fax:603-4606618

mobile:6012-2117080, email

Event Schedule (Subject to changes)

Rainforest Challenge (RFC) 2000 (25 Nov - 5 Dec) (Be forewarned, RFC is not for the faint-hearted, come physically & mentally prepared).

Pre-Event: 20th to 23rd November

Welcome to RFC. All participants and press expected to reach Kuala Lumpur. Registration at Event Secretariat I. All participants to attend briefing as per information upon check in at Eastin hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

22nd & 23rd November

Scrutineering day for all competitor vehicles at Eastin Hotel.

24th November

All participants leave for Ipoh in loose convoy. Follow PLUS highway to Ipoh. Compulsory Event Briefing at official hotel in the evening. Please refer to notice board in the hotel.

25th November

Opening Ceremony at Dataran Bandaraya, Ipoh, adjacent to Syuen Hotel. Full cultural reception of Perak. Flag-off by VIP. Followed by Prologue Special Stages (SS) at Station 18 (Pengkalan). Proceed to Forest Adventure Team campsite. Surprise in store (Hot Springs).

26th November

Convoy crosses the Highlanders route via Simpang Pulai, off-road tracks of approx 100km. The cool highlands awaits. Campsite at Highlanders I (Sg. Kuala Rengil).

27th November

Convoy proceeds along main track by Kg. Klyed Mitrajaya Kongsi onward to Pos Blau Highlanders II campsite.

28th November

Regroup at from Highlander I campsite to Gua Musang, Kelantan (the cave of the Fox). Last refuel and supplies. Compulsory refuel and additional fuel cans. Proceed to campsite at High Chaparall via Felda Aring. Welcome to Tiger and Elephant country.

29th November

SS along the way at Sg. Miak and Rocky Hill. Further challenges to the Piece of Cake Hill. Regroup at Fire Fox Base 1 (at the hill boundary of Kelantan and Terengganu). Proceed to Terminator campsite. The Twilight Zone awaits.

30th November to 1st December

All competitor teams to be at Terminator campsite. Beware, Wild Beasts at bay. SS at the Terminator.

2nd & 3rd December

From Terminator campsite. Competitors convoy proceed to Terminator Hill (Fire Fox Base 2) and head for Predator route. Crossing of Sg. Terengganu Mati (broken log bridge) at Fire Fox Base 3. Proceed to Bridge to Nowhere at Fire Fox Base 5 for regrouping. Proceed to Primula Park Royal Hotel.

4th December

Last regroup at Fire Fox Base 5 and Pengkalan Gawi. Proceed to Primula Park Royal Hotel. Possible beach SS.

5th December

Possible beach SS in the morning at Primula Park Royal hotel. Night: Official closing ceremony at the hotel ballroom. Crowning Glory.

Post-Event: 6th December

Check out of Primula Park Royal Hotel and tour of Kuala

7th December

Last day at Kuala Lumpur Eastin hotel.

Go to the results, Ibex, x-ref and 4wd events pages