Rainforest Challenge 2008

Joined: 15 Nov 2002 Location: Morayfield

Just a very quick update on the 2008 RFC

Venue:- Terengganu, Malaysia.

Date:- 5 -14 December.

All interested Teams or Spectators please contact me and I will be able to assist you in your preperation and getting you and your vehicle to Malaysia.

I have some possible positions to fill as codrivers in a couple of local vehicles as well.

I will be returning as one of the Chief Marshalls this year (2009 will see me back over there competiting in the MLC), along with taking some video and photo's of this years RFC.

Contact me direct 0418 745 830 or david@xtreme4x4sport.com.au

Cheers
David Metcalfe
RFC Representative

Joined: 15 Nov 2002 Location: Morayfield

Here is the latest update from Luis.

Don't forget if I can be of any help please drop me a line.

Cheers
David (MMM) Metcalfe
RFC Representative

RAINFOREST CHALLENGE ’08 JUNE NEWS UPDATE
“UNFINISHED BUSINESS!” – Continuing the Saga of RFC 2007

This year, we have “Unfinished Business” to settle with the dreaded Terminator at the Twilight Zone of Hulu Terengganu, Malaysia.

For those who have already signed up and those in preparation, well, get Ready to Rumble. Come fully prepared to face anything that Nature can throw at you. This year, we shall start off on 5 December, a significant reminder from last year when non-stop rain started to hit us on the fifth day of December!

With hindsight, and with the experience from last year’s apocalyptic rain, the RFC organization, together with the State Government of Terengganu, are also getting ready to face the extremities of Mother Nature. However, as we are aware, even the best-laid plans can be derailed by the monsoon; but, this time, we shall be better prepared than ever.

1. Get ready to meet the Ladies of Steel in the RFC! Yes, this year’s attraction will indeed be very attractive to the eyes of all macho men of 4x4. Get to meet and see what they are made of; these All Ladies Teams from Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, China and from Malaysia. Preparations are under way for the moment, more details in our next update.

2. More Russians are coming. This time, from Moscow, we have Zecevic Marko from Cyvas Trophy Team. “After several years of decisions and preparations my brother and I have finally decided to take part in the RFC this year,” said Marko. We welcome the 4x4 warriors from the biggest country in the world to RFC. This year, we shall have teams from the extreme west of Russia (Moscow) its extreme east (Andrey Kurdakov & his Offroad Club Xtrack from Vladivostok). They will be coming with 3 4x4 combat machines.

3. European zone. After Euro 2008, well, the next best thing for off-roaders is the RFC. Apart from the Russians, the others are also getting ready as competitors, officials, media and touring adventurers – from the Poles, Bulgarians, Romanians, Italians, Czechs, Danish, Germans, Austrians, British, Spanish, Hungarians, Dutch, Croatians and Turkish.

4. Out of Africa to the RFC this time will be participants from Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya. The Zambians (Marek and Fred) went back last year fully fired up with passion to take on the jungle again this year, but this time with worthy competitor teams. These will be properly selected and should pass the extreme test at home first before they embark on their journey to Malaysia. More information coming on who will succeed.

5. On the Asian front, the 4x4 warriors from Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and home country, Malaysia are on the move to join the RFC, both newcomers and returnees. Malaysian returnees like teams 113, 136, 117 and of course, the current champion 109 will be waiting to do battle all over again. This time, they will have to deal with the new rules on PTO and electric winch. But, all will be fair in the RFC war zone, no worry.

6. Enter the Dragon. Even though everything is abuzz now about the Beijing Olympics, a lot of behind the scene happenings are taking place in the “Middle Kingdom” in the off-road sector, but more news after the August Olympics.

7. Opening Ceremony/Prologue SS. The opening ceremony will take place on 5 December in Chukai town, and the Prologue Special Stages called Battle Stations will take place at Kijal and Kemasik on 5 and 6 December. Please remember to arrive in Kuala Lumpur latest by 3 December as the convoy will leave for Chukai and Kijal (Terengganu) by 4 December morning. Those arriving later will have to make their own travel arrangements to Kijal. For spectators no worry. On road travel from Kuala Lumpur to Chukai is approx 5 hrs.

8. The Great Escape Epic Story (of 2007). We are pleased to inform that we are progressing well with the compilation of the various stories. It will be a book to remember for sure with tales of high adventure, told from the various groups who lived through the event. Be sure to get your copy. Thanks to everyone who has sent in their articles. We’ll keep you updated.

9. Last but not least, a timely reminder to those making it to RFC this year. Be sure you have a good sense of humour and a positive spirit to match. Because, when the chips are down, when you are perpetually wet from day to night and when nothing seems to go right – you will need these qualities to go through the adventure. Panicky and being negative won’t help you at all, be cool. Remember that you are made of much stronger stuff than you can ever imagine. By living out this adventure event, we hope that you will discover or rediscover your sense of being. For those still contemplating of joining us, this is for you: live life as fully as you can, live the life less ordinary. Till the next news update, cheers.

Please contact the RFC Secretariat for any queries.

Best regards.
Luis J.A.Wee
Founder & Event Director of Rainforest Challenge (RFC)
Future Oracle Sdn Bhd
Suite B1-27, 1st Floor, Block B
Megan Ambassy (Business Park)
225, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
Tel: 603 – 2163 5908 / 6908. Fax: 603 – 2163 5908. Cell phone: 6012 - 2117080
Email: jawee@rainforest-challenge.com, luiswee@yahoo.com
Website: www.rainforest-challenge.com

Joined: 15 Nov 2002 Location: Morayfield

Just a reminder, if you are thinking of going to this years RFC could you please make contact.

If you would like to be an official please give me a call 0418 745 830

Cheers
David (MMM) Metcalfe
RFC Representative

Joined: 05 May 2005 Location: Lysterfield

sounds good Dave!!

that area through the terminator is awsome!!
I was lucky enough to compete a few years back in this area and its not for the faint hearted!

Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Location: Melbourne

Just out of interest...what would be a reasonable budget one would plan for to compete in the RFC. I can't afford it in 2008 or 2009, but who knows after that..

Entry fee : USD$2,000
Return flight : AUS$1700 per person
Vehicle freight & return : ????
Fuel : ????
Other costs : ????

From the RFC website --------------------

FOREIGN ENTRIES
4x4 Category (Competitor) Entry fee of USD2,000 per team of two persons. Airfare, freight and miscellaneous expenses not included.

ENTITLEMENT (4x4, and Touring Class)

2 pre-event and 2 post-event hotel accommodation

Rainforest Challenge 2008 Promo Items (Gift Packs)

Insurance coverage

Full colour souvenir programme book

Application for special Approval Permit (A.P.) for foreign registered vehicle for use in Malaysia

Other sponsored items for each team

Joined: 15 Nov 2002 Location: Morayfield

OnPatrol wrote:

Just out of interest...what would be a reasonable budget one would plan for to compete in the RFC. I can't afford it in 2008 or 2009, but who knows after that..

Entry fee : USD$2,000
Return flight : AUS$1700 per person
Vehicle freight & return : ????
Fuel : ????
Other costs : ????

From the RFC website --------------------

FOREIGN ENTRIES
4x4 Category (Competitor) Entry fee of USD2,000 per team of two persons. Airfare, freight and miscellaneous expenses not included.

ENTITLEMENT (4x4, and Touring Class)

2 pre-event and 2 post-event hotel accommodation

Rainforest Challenge 2008 Promo Items (Gift Packs)

Insurance coverage

Full colour souvenir programme book

Application for special Approval Permit (A.P.) for foreign registered vehicle for use in Malaysia

Other sponsored items for each team

Thanks for the enquiry.

Entry fee : USD$2,000 (we can sometimes get a reduced entry fee)

Return flight : AUS$1580 (my cost for this years trip flying Malaysian Airlines) or cheaper if you fly Asian Air, you could save $500

Vehicle freight & return : It cost us around $7500 for a 40ft container in 2007 for the 2 vehicles but you would be able to fit in 3 with some work. This was ex Brisbane to Port Klang and back including all charges. Remember vehicle must be super clean when you come home. Otherwise you could pay upwards of $80 an hour to have cleaned.

Fuel : Cheap as. You would spend less then $1000 on fuel depends on km per lt.

Other costs :

Carnet (vehicle pasport) set us back appox $900, depends on value of vehicle.

Travel Insurance appox $200

Malaysian Insurance appox $300

Motel: - (extra nights) We have paid $100/150 per night including breakfast, 4+ stars. Quite cheap.

Food: - Very cheap if you like Asian style food.

If you worked at having 2 vehicles in the container it would be under a $15k trip, and yes that would give you spending money as well. This you could get down to $12k if you worked at it. (cost for 2 people)

I am a Chief Marshall this year and am taking the vehicle back in 2009 to compete. I will be loading the container out of Brisbane and am looking for 2 vehicles to fill the container.

I hope this has been of some help to you. You can always give me a call for more info.

Cheers
David (MMM) Metcalfe
RFC Representative

Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Location: Melbourne

That's great info. Thanks for that. $15k isn't too bad when shared between two.

How many weeks/months did you allow for freight ?

Joined: 15 Nov 2002 Location: Morayfield

OnPatrol wrote:

That's great info. Thanks for that. $15k isn't too bad when shared between two.

How many weeks/months did you allow for freight ?

[b]

At the moment Maersk Shipping offer a weekly service.

21 days over

13 days back

I will be looking at sending my vehicle late October.

Cheers
David (MMM) Metcalfe
RFC Representative[/b]

Joined: 15 Nov 2002 Location: Morayfield

Only 12 more sleeps before I fly out.

Dave Hobbs will be joining me 2nd Dec in KL.

And Peter Taylor (longest serving international official) been at every RFC will be acting as a Chief Marshal & Chief Scruitineer.

Plus Stu Garrow (South Australian) will also be joining us in in his purpose built jungle machine. Will send photo,s as soon as I get them. This vehicle is based in Malaysia.

Will give updates when they become available.

Cheers
David (MMM) Metcalfe
RFC Representative

Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Location: Townsville

Please post some pics up.

Joined: 15 Nov 2002 Location: Morayfield

SIM79 wrote:

Please post some pics up.

Fly out tomorrow (Friday) night and arrive sparrows on Saturday morning.

I will then be going to do some work on the vehicle that I am using.

Will check into Hotel Saturday evening.

Sunday I will start taking photos.

Will try and post something on Sunday evening.

Cheers
David (MMM) Metcalfe
RFC Representative

Joined: 15 Nov 2002 Location: Morayfield

Arrived at 0530 on Saturday. Bloody hot & humid, normal as usual.

Went to Northport today (Monday) & assisted the Kiwi's get their Isuzu out of Customs. This is a true farm truck and will be very interesting to watch Will get photo's up of it as soon as I can download photo's.

Nothing is really start to happen until tomorrow when Scruitineering starts.

Russian vehicles have arrived, one competitor (Prado) & one support (Nissan Safari). Motors and finer points unknown at the moment.

Poland have the biggest entry, 7 vehicle plus 2 quads. Unknown of how many are competing or are support vehicles.

Everyone here really looking forward to this years event.

Heavy rain & flooding has already been reported in the areas where we will be going.

All for now.

Cheers
David (MMM) Metcalfe
RFC Representative Very Happy

Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Location: laying on your couch

cool. keep the info on trucks and photos coming. cheers

Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Location: Caboolture

Hmmmm seams like MMM has found a beer or two to wash the Southern down with. Come on Dave updates, make with the pics!!!