The competition has attracted teams from 11 Indian states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Karnataka and Maharashtra lead the charge with 24 and 18 teams respectively, while 9 teams from Goa are set to represent the host state. In a first for RFC India, a team from Meghalaya will also be competing this year, participating in the newly introduced ‘4X4 Modified’ category. In an exciting development, all three categories will witness participation from women.
Regarding the upcoming competition, Ashish Gupta, Founder & Director, Cougar Motorsport, said, “RFC India has always been about pushing boundaries - of vehicles and of human capability. With the introduction of new categories this year, we are excited to welcome a more diverse range of participants. The entry of teams from newer regions like Meghalaya is a sign that off-roading culture is growing deeper roots across the country. We look forward to an intense and inspiring week of competition.”
The 77 participating teams have been divided across three categories based on the level of vehicle modification and off-road preparedness. A total of 25 teams will compete in the ‘4X4 Extreme’ category, which features the most challenging terrain and technical requirements. The ‘4X4 Modified’ category will see 22 teams in action, while the ‘4X4 Stock’ category, designed for near-factory-spec vehicles, has attracted the highest number of entries with 30 teams.