Tag: Rainforest Challenge

Events in Goa

Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte Drove Goa ‘Beyond Beaches’ with RFC India 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa, August 2025
 For decades, Goa was synonymous with sun-kissed beaches and relaxed holidays. But under the visionary leadership of Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, the state ventured deep into uncharted terrain—both literally and figuratively.

The 11th edition of RFC India 2025 officially kicked off in the hinterlands of Goa, putting the spotlight on the state’s rugged natural terrain and potential as a top-tier destination for adventure and sports tourism.

A Bold Vision: Goa Beyond Beaches

“Known over the World as a Sun, Sand & Sea Destination, Our Goa is going Beyond Beaches with alternative options of Adventure & Sports Tourism,”
— Rohan Khaunte, Tourism Minister of Goa

With that statement, Minister Khaunte signaled a clear intent: Goa’s future lay not just on its shores, but also in its forests, hills, and challenging off-road tracks. Hosting RFC India was not just about motorsports—it was about tourism reinvention.

RFC India 2025: Bigger, Bolder, Better

Organized by Cougar Motorsport, RFC India was the official Indian chapter of the iconic Rainforest Challenge of Malaysia—rated among the world’s top five toughest off-road events. Since its debut in 2014, it had grown into India’s most prestigious motorsport event.

🚜 Key Stats:

  • 77 teams from 11 Indian states
  • First-time participation from Meghalaya
  • Women participants across all 3 categories
  • Host state Goa represented by 9 teams

The competition was expanded with the addition of:

  • 4X4 Extreme (25 teams, 26 stages)
  • 4X4 Modified (22 teams, 20 stages)
  • 4X4 Stock (30 teams, 14 stages)

Why This Mattered for Goa Tourism

Goa’s participation as both host and competitor reinforced Minister Khaunte’s broader tourism strategy—diversification, sustainability, and year-round attraction.

From promoting hinterland trails and treks to welcoming national and international adventure events, Goa crafted a new tourism identity that was:

  • Less seasonal
  • More inclusive
  • Environmentally conscious

Economically decentralized

Inclusivity and Growth

RFC India 2025 was also a model of inclusive sports tourism:

  • Women competed in all categories
  • New regions like Meghalaya entered the circuit
  • First-time 4X4 owners participated thanks to the Stock & Modified formats

The Minister’s Mission

By bringing events like RFC to Goa, Rohan Khaunte tapped into a growing segment of global travelers seeking active, immersive, and experiential journeys. Goa’s unique terrain, combined with its hospitality infrastructure, made it an ideal hub for sports-based tourism.

“You will be tested in mind, body and machine — a true initiation into the global RFC community.”
— Luis J.A. Wee, Founder, Rainforest Challenge

A New Goa Emerged

RFC India 2025 was more than a motorsport event. It was a statement—that Goa was evolving.

From the beach to the backwoods, from cocktails to camo, from leisure to challenge—this was the Goa of tomorrow.

Events in Goa

 RFC India 2025 Day 2: Chow Ujjal Namshum & Chethan Chengappa Lead ‘4×4 Extreme’ Category After SS 9

Tanisha Cardozo

Quepem, Goa:
 The adrenaline levels soared on Day 2 of the Rainforest Challenge (RFC) India 2025 as Chow Ujjal Namshum from Arunachal Pradesh and his co-driver Chethan Chengappa from Karnataka maintained their commanding lead in the fiercely competitive ‘4×4 Extreme’ category. According to provisional results released at the end of Day 2, the duo scored 838 points out of a possible 900 after completing nine out of 26 Special Stages (SS).

Their near-flawless performance included three perfect 100-point SS runs and a 95-point finish in another, despite encountering mechanical issues and challenging terrain. “The pace has really picked up now,” said Namshum. “We got stuck in a few places, but that’s part of the game. The real challenge is pushing through and focusing on the next stage.”

Hot on their trail is Bijender Singh from Delhi, along with co-driver Gajender Singh, who sits in second place with 750 points. Singh’s strategy this year has shifted. “I used to preserve the vehicle early on, but that led to major point gaps. This year I’m being more aggressive—and it’s paying off,” he shared.

Telangana’s Rambabu Mareedu, with co-driver Kumaraswamy Thalam, moved into third place with 703 points, showing consistency and grit on a challenging day in Goa’s monsoon-washed jungle terrain.

Debut of ‘4×4 Modified’ Category:
 The 2025 edition introduced the ‘4×4 Modified’ category, where Mumbai’s Cyril Dmello, co-driving with Ameer Sadiq, led the field with 363 points out of 400 after Day 1. “RFC India has always been a dream for me,” said Dmello. “Today was technical and tough, just the way I imagined it.”

Steven Fernandes from Goa (331 points) and Karnataka’s Manoj Biradar (328 points) followed closely in what promises to be a thrilling new addition to the RFC legacy.

Next Up – 4×4 Stock Begins:
 With scrutiny completed for the 30 registered ‘4×4 Stock’ teams, their competition is set to begin tomorrow, adding to the intensity as 77 teams across three formats take on the unforgiving Goan wilderness.

As RFC India 2025 enters its most demanding stages, the spirit of competition, resilience, and camaraderie will define who emerges victorious in what is widely regarded as India’s toughest off-road motorsport challenge.