Greetings and best wishes to all.
1. RFC 2008 DVD version (1 hr 35 mins duration) is out at last. Watch
the blow by blow account of the 2008 edition of the "Unfinished
Business." 34 hrs of incessant rain fell from the night of 5 December
right up to the morning of 8 December. That's the ferocity of the
monsoon. The battle to reach campsite was a nightmare. The weather was
unforgiving as ever. The Pincer Startegy to take Terminator Hill in the
Twilight Zone had to be cancelled. Watch how the bravest of the land 4x4
daredevils struggle through the 2008 episode. Available from D44 Store.
www.devon4x4.com 2. As for this year's assault on the RFC - "By the Rivers of
Babylon," we wish to welcome the 2008 returnees.
2.1 Max, Jacob, Joachim Skjold and Morten Dam from Denmark who are the
first Early Bird for this year, they don't need the number 101 for being
first, they already got their famous team numbers 135 and 132. "RFC is
in our blood, we return for new adventures, RFC is different every year,
so speak no more."
2.2 Sean Hameed from Sri Lanka will be back, and he will also lead
another team of winners from his selection event (names to be
confirmed). 'The no.1 off-road challenge/adventure event, we'll be
there."
2.3 Rod Caldwell and Bundit Samrongkanok @ Aun, will lead 3 other
teams from Wild West Group. "The Thais are challenged to see how I made
it so well last year." That's a good thing, keep that competitive
spirit up!
2.4 Marek Janaszkiewicz and wife Agnieszka will be at the starting
line. "Always in the RFC for sure." Other Polish returnees will be
published after summer.
2.5 Andrey Kurdakov and his teams from Vladivostok, Russian Far East.
"We wish to relive our jungle adventures again, one time is not enough."
More Russians supporters are coming to see them at the Prologue SS.
2.6 Patrick Silvestri and Paoletti Paolo are the 2007 returnees coming
for action again. "One year's absence is an agony, we can't wait another
year." They will be joined by Sandro Signorini and his teammates from
Spirit Offroad.
2.7 MMM @ David Metcalfe is ready to rock and roll. "This year will be
my 10th time in the RFC, that's something to celebrate."
3. The newcomers so far are the following :
3.1 Sarawak led by Eddie Alvarado, the RFC official in Kuching. 6
battle-ready 4x4s in Daihatsu and Toyotas LJ 70, 3 competitors, 2
touring crew and 1 official crew. They are Mohd Syamaizar Ahmad, Lau Kah
Kung, David, Ah Peng, Octavious Jitam, Addie Nandos, Eddie Alvarado,
Laurence Baraw, Wilfred Sim and co-drivers to be confirmed. SAKTA
(Sarawak Travel & Adventure Club) is well represented this time.
3.2 Gianpaolo Giusti from Italy is eager to catch the jungle action.
3.3 From Pak Hans, Indonesia - "Pak Helmi (South Kalimantan), Pak
Cefiro, Toni Handoko and Pak Yogi from Jakarta are coming for action.
Supporters are also coming to see the Prologue SS."
3.4 More names to be confirmed after summer, from Poland, Philippines,
China, India, UAE, Korea, Bulgaria, Germany, Spain, Sweden, UK and
France.
4. Congrats! Wojtek Golebiowski, the commander of Magam Trophy for
organizing the IX edition. We welcome the top three winners to RFC -
Robert Kufel / Dominik Samosiuk (Champion), Marcin Lukaszewski
/Magdalena Duhanik (First Runner Up) and Marek Temple /Witold Grabowski
(Second Runner Up). What type of fighting machines will they bring? Wait
and see.
5. Now, for all who love to see their 4x4s looking even more "macho,"
well, you will not be disappointed, a new portal unit is coming soon
from Auto Research & Development (ARAD). It will certainly not only
protect the undercarriage from damage and will also give the vehicle a
less likely chance of being "grounded" or stuck in the ruts. That's
macho looking with practicality combined. No, we are not talking about
the "Volvo axle." This is a new "bolt-on" unit with minor modifications
only. Less headache and you will stand to gain an increase of 4.5 inches
of ground clearance from your original specs. No need to change your
axle or bulky and extensive modification way of whole axle assembly.
Check out the story in our website
www.rainforest-challenge.com 6. Toyota Hilux Roadshows are on-going events in East Malaysia. For
those who have yet to see them, catch them at the remaining venues -
Kota Kinabalu (1 Borneo), Kudat (showroom), Sandakan (Giant
hypermarket), Lahad Datu (Sri Perdana), Tawau (MPT), Sibu (Gateway),
Bintulu (Parkcity Hotel - outdoor) and Miri (Boulevard). The carnival
series ends on 28 June.
7. New and existing 4x4 owners (production series) in Malaysia, watch
out in the coming months what we have in store for you. Time to rock and
roll. Thanks for those who have contacted us, no worry, everything will
be arranged in good time, we shall give you all ample time to join.
8. Last but not least, we are very happy to note that our surfers and
fans have given us many valuable feedback and information, thank you for
your support! Thanks all of you out there from far and near for your
queries and making our promos in our website such hot items!
Best regards and I encourage all of you to promote off-road 4x4
activities from where you are (in your own countries), this is our
living out passion together!
Luis J.A.Wee
Founder of Rainforest Challenge (RFC)
