Kerala's KTM Jeepers to compete in Rainforest Challenge India

The RFC does not just involve riding through extremely rough terrains, negotiating sharp slopes and crossing rivers.

Kurian Kurian (left) and Sam Kurian. (EPS)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Rainforest Challenge (RFC), hailed as one of the most grueling off-road driving events in the world, will make its annual stop in India at Goa between July 22 to 29 this year. And Kerala-based off-road club KTMJeepers will field four teams in an attempt to have a shot at glory.

Founded by a group of motorsport enthusiasts in 2006, the club based in Kottayam works to find new terrains for off-roading inside Kerala as well as participates in competitions all over the country. They also run the R&T 4x4 Offroad Training Academy that churns out like-minded adventurers.

“The Rainforest Challenge is the toughest race anywhere in the world. It is a great privilege to be part of the event,” said Sam Kurian, the founder of KTM Jeepers, who along with his brother Kurian Kurian, will compete in the Force Gurkha RFC India 2016.

While Sam has Guhan Shetty as his navigator, Kurian will drive with Prem Kumar. Anand Majooran, who was denied entry last year due to his vehicle not meeting the requirements, with his co-driver George Varghese and UK-based Raju Paul and his cousin-cum-navigator Kevin Paul will form the other two teams.

The RFC does not just involve riding through extremely rough terrains, negotiating sharp slopes and crossing rivers in your vehicle. It also comes with the travails and dangers of camping in tents in the midst of jungle and wildlife for over a week.

“We ride modified versions of Maruti Gypsy and Mahindra Thar, but it is not just the cars that matter in such an extreme sport,” said Sam. “The navigators are as important because they guide us and gets things done including winching cars out of rough terrains,” said Sam, who has Shetty with two years' experience in RFC as his partner.

“Then we have the team manager Mathew Lan who has his hands full coordinating our journey from setting camps, getting mechanics and workshops ready and getting us the right food,” Sam said. “It is not just the driving skills that are tested, but our physical and mental endurance,” he added.

Though this will be their maiden appearance in the race, KTM Jeepers are expecting to be on the podium on July 29. “I am optimistic having worked on my weaknesses. If things go right, I hope to find myself on the podium,” said Sam's brother Kurian, winner of the Mahindra Great Escape 2013.

Meanwhile, Sam feels more off-roading events should come to Kerala. “The popularity of the sport has gone up. We accommodate many people from North Kerala as well as states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka at our academy,” Sam said.

“We also have great terrains in Vagamon, ?Kuttikanam and Munnar where events like RFC can be conducted. However the state government and the Tourism Department must take the initiative like the Goa government does,” said Sam.