62 teams to participate in Rainforest Challenge India 2026 in Goa

RFC India was launched by Cougar Motorsport in 2014 as the India Chapter of the Rainforest Challenge of Malaysia, which is ranked among the top 10 toughest motor races and top 5 toughest off-road races in the world and has regional chapters in over 30 countries worldwide. Over the years, RFC India has emerged as the most prestigious off-road motorsport competition in India, testing competitors over the course of a week on driving and vehicle recovery skills, physical and mental resilience, as well as the ability to work well as a team under extreme off-road conditions.

The event is supported by Goa Tourism. Rohan A. Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Goa, said, "The Rainforest Challenge India reflects Goa's growing stature as a destination for adventure tourism and outdoor experiences that celebrate our unique natural landscapes. As we continue to diversify our tourism offerings, events like RFC India play an important role in attracting enthusiasts while encouraging responsible engagement with nature. We are delighted to support this prestigious event and welcome participants and visitors to experience Goa beyond the conventional."

Luis J.A. Wee, Founder of the Rainforest Challenge, said, "This 12th edition of the Rainforest Challenge India is a meaningful and inspirational one, not only for elevating Indian 4x4 motorsport to a global standard, but also for the bonds it has built within the Indian off-roading community since 2014. Congratulations to Ashish Gupta and the entire Cougar Motorsport team for the perseverance, dedication and single-minded focus that has brought RFC India to where it is today. Keep rolling ahead!"

According to Ashish Gupta, Founder & Director of Cougar Motorsport, "As we head into the 12th edition of RFC India, it's satisfying to see the three-category format we introduced last year take root, each with its own identity and community of off-roaders. What's most rewarding this year is watching participants who competed in '4x4 Modified' and '4x4 Stock' last season step up to '4x4 Extreme' in 2026 — proof that the community isn't just growing, it's maturing. Goa continues to be the perfect stage for it, and we're looking forward to another gruelling, memorable week."

The '4X4 Extreme' category will kick off on July 26 with vehicle scrutiny and the drivers' briefing, followed by the competition from July 27 to August 1, during which each team – comprising a driver and a co-driver – will undertake 26 Special Stages (SS). The '4X4 Modified' category will undergo vehicle scrutiny on July 27 and compete in 20 SS from July 28 to August 1, while the '4X4 Stock' category will have its vehicle scrutiny on July 28, followed by 14 SS from July 29 to August 1. The top Indian driver in the 'Extreme' category will earn a free automatic entry to the Rainforest Challenge Global Grand Finale to be held in Malaysia later this year.

The winners across all three categories will be announced on August 1, with the teams accumulating the maximum points at the end of all Special Stages in their respective category being crowned RFC India 2026 Champions.

Several industry leaders have partnered with Cougar Motorsport for RFC India 2026. COMEUP Winch is the Official Winch Partner while BMC Air Filter is the Official High Performance Air Filter of RFC India 2026. The Associate Sponsors for the event include Lamda Components, ARB 4x4 Accessories, Swastik Fabs and Armoro. Taan is the Hydration Partner and BrutForce is the Communication Partner.