PANAJI
Arunachal Pradesh’s Chow Ujjal Namshum and Karnataka’s Chethan Chengappa led the '4x4 Extreme' category, scoring 1,284 out of a possible 1,400 points on Day 3 of the Rainforest Challenge (RFC) India 2025. The duo posted perfect 100s in two of the five Special Stages (SS), maintaining their commanding lead.
Goa’s Cedrick Jordan Da Silva and co-driver Mackwin Dias surged into second place with 1,092 points, while fellow Goans Viddesh Madgaonkar and Sahil Sadekar secured third with 1,022.
In the ‘4x4 Modified’ category, Maharashtra’s Sarjerao Kawade and Rushikesh Patil climbed to the top with 703 points. Another Maharashtra duo, Cyril Dmello and Ameer Sadiq, are close behind at 697, followed by Goa's Steven Fernandes and Balwant Jagram with 696.
The newly introduced ‘4x4 Stock’ category made a high-octane debut. Maharashtra’s Mihir Dharkar and co-driver Shantanu Grover dominated with 395 out of 400 points, clocking fastest times in three out of four stages. Tejas and Karan Patil took second with 333 points, while Karnataka’s Bopaiah Kongettira and Bopanna Maleyanda placed third with 304.
“This is my first time at RFC India and I am grateful to the organisers for introducing the 4x4 Stock and 4x4 Modified categories as it is a great entry point for newcomers like me,” said Dharkar. “Leading the leaderboard brings pressure… but my focus is on staying calm, preserving the car and taking each day as it comes.”
The 2025 edition also marked the debut of a team from Meghalaya. Chow Aditya Mein from Arunachal Pradesh shared, “The introduction of categories like 4x4 Modified and 4x4 Stock has opened the door for many of us… RFC India is unlike anything else”it’s pure adrenaline.”
