Kranthi Kumar Vengala, Rajeev Lal PM hold firm after SS 1-14

As per the Provisional Results for the '4x4 Extreme' category after the completion of SS 1 to 14, Kranthi Kumar Vengala and co-driver Rajeev Lal PM continued to lead with 1204 points out of a possible 1400. Anand Manjooran (Vishnu Raj) held on to second position with 1141 points, while Ujjal Namshum (Chethan Chengappa) occupied the third spot with 1137 points.

Speaking about his stint at RFC India 2026 so far, Kranthi Kumar Vengala noted, “I have been competing at RFC India since 2015, trying to make it to the top for the last ten years. This year, I teamed up with Rajiv Lal as my co-driver, and we started preparing from the end of June. The stages this year have been far more technical and competitive than 2025. This time the tracks have really tested our off-roading skills and we have enjoyed every stage so far. Even though the competition is razor-close, we are not looking at the points board too much. We are just focused on driving our best and hoping that’s enough to bring the trophy home to Hyderabad, which we have never managed to do before.”

In the '4x4 Modified' category, the battle for the top spot turned into a dead heat after the completion of SS 1 to 8, with Sarjerao Kawade (co-driver Rushikesh Patil) from Pune and Suraksha BS (Sanoj S) from Coorg tied for the lead with 652 points out of a possible 800. Shehinsha TP (Muhammed Nabeel) held second position with 648 points, while Gagan Karumbaiah (Bopanna Maleyanda) rounded off the top three with 626 points.

The '4x4 Stock' category began its competition today, with Sabu Xavier (co-driver Halvin Appanna) topping the leaderboard after the completion of SS 1 to 4, with 348 points out of a possible 400. Athul Thomas (Binil Babu) was placed second with 336 points, and Naku Hage Chada (Loda Punyo) claimed the third position with 332 points.

Mihir Dharkar, the reigning '4x4 Stock' category champion from RFC India 2025, returned to defend his title this year. He ended Day 1 of the competition this year at the fourth position with 300 points. Speaking about his Day 1 experience in the category, Mihir said, “I usually compete in a Gypsy, but this year I have come in a Hilux just to see how things go, and it has exceeded my expectations. It’s not able to match the smaller cars through tight obstacles, but it’s cleared everything else seamlessly. This year’s stages have been tougher than last, with a lot more rain, but that’s what RFC India is about: pushing each other to do better, stage by stage, and helping each other out no matter what category you’re in.”