PANAJI
After four intense days and 19 completed Special Stages (SS) out of 26, the Rainforest Challenge (RFC) India 2025 has seen fierce competition across all categories.
As per provisional results, Chow Ujjal Namshum from Arunachal Pradesh and co-driver Chethan Chengappa from Karnataka continue to dominate the ‘4x4 Extreme’ category with an impressive 1,722 points out of 1,900.
Local Goan teams are holding strong in second and third place: Cedrick Jordan Da Silva and co-driver Mackwin Dias have secured 1,549 points, while Viddesh Madgaonkar and Sahil Sadekar follow with 1,425.
In the ‘4x4 Modified’ category, Goan driver Steven Fernandes, partnering Balwant Jagram, surged ahead to claim the top spot with 1,096 points out of 1,300. Kerala’s Benzeer Palasseri Pulikkal (Naser CK) climbed to second place with 1,069 points, while Maharashtra’s Cyril Dmello (Ameer Sadiq) dropped to third with 1,034.
The ‘4x4 Stock’ category sees Maharashtra’s Mihir Dharkar and co-driver Shantanu Grover maintaining a solid lead with 775 points out of 800. Karnataka’s Bopaiah Kongettira (Bopanna Maleyanda) rose to second place with 689 points, pushing Tejas Patil (Karan Patil) to third with 642.
Reflecting on the competition, Goan driver Cedrick Da Silva said, “The competition has been as tough as ever... But we kept pushing... I feel the stages have become more interesting... I am hoping for more technical stages ahead because that’s where experience really counts.”
Among the standout participants is Kerala’s Aparna Umesh, one of three women in the event. “Competing in RFC India has been a dream I have worked hard for... Finally, being on the track is an incredible feeling,” she shared.
