Rainforest Challenge Malaysia

[ExpeditionBound]

Great stuff for jungle junkies is Rainforest Challenge.


www.rainforest-challenge.com

*All credit to photographers.


83759

[RMP&O]

One of my all time favorites. I have heard a lot though that the event is not very well balanced. I also have found you can find many blogs, pictures and videos if you vistit the teams websites.

[Viggen]

Its on my unrealistic bucket list. Would love to get out there and do it. Wouldnt have to be a competition truck but would be happy to be in the caravan in a truck since they still have to do a lot of the same stuff. Now, if only I could get press credentials...

[ReconH3]

I've been twice and it's a hell of event. You do need to have a well prepared vehicle that sticks to their safety rules. If the vehicle doesn't meet the rules ,you go home. They do have an adventurer package, and you don't need credentials to participate. Just money to pay entry. ;) It is definitely something you won't see anywhere else.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Sent from my iPhone

[Viggen]

I've been twice and it's a hell of event. You do need to have a well prepared vehicle that sticks to their safety rules. If the vehicle doesn't meet the rules ,you go home. They do have an adventurer package, and you don't need credentials to participate. Just money to pay entry. ;) It is definitely something you won't see anywhere else.


So, tell me more about it. Ive looked and watched all there is to see on the interweb about it. Would love to hear a first hand account. Its like saying, "Yeah, Ive been to the moon," and then not saying anything more about it.

[aka rover]

I would like to here more as well, what kind of a rig did you compete in. Where you an American team? Would like to here more.

[Ray Hyland]

I did this in 2005. It was an awesome event.

[ReconH3]

Sorry for not replying sooner. I missed this thread. First time in 1999 I competed in my only truck at the time. A Mitsubishi L200 on 32" Swampers. It was one hell of a learning experience. I learned the most from the Aussies. Those guys live and breath 4x4. The second time in 2001 I went with Jeep Wrangler TJ on 36" Swampers. Much better equipped and all around vehicle. A little tight on the storage for all the gear but we managed. I always went as the Canary Islands team. That's where I was born, even though my Dad was from Texas.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Sent from my iPhone

[ReconH3]

Here's some pics from the 1999 edition.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/CanaryLupo/Cars/rfc17.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/CanaryLupo/Cars/rfc001.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/CanaryLupo/Cars/rfc03.jpg

The last pic was the day we made it out of the Jungle. I lost 14 kilos!!! All from the lack of experience and stress. That year 27 vehicle were lost to the monsoon. In the following weeks after the event, the locals, military and other volunteers managed to recover all but one vehicle. The last vehicle was recovered 6 months later after the monsoon ceased.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Sent from my iPhone

[ReconH3]

Pics from the 2001 edition.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/CanaryLupo/Cars/container08.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/CanaryLupo/Cars/container09.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/CanaryLupo/Cars/rfc40.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/CanaryLupo/Cars/4da9126e.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/CanaryLupo/Cars/9d586464.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/CanaryLupo/Cars/rfc41.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/CanaryLupo/Cars/rfc002.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/CanaryLupo/Cars/rfc54.jpg

That year we were so much better prepared, unfortunately the jungle is so unpredictable. Many vehicles rolled due to crazy terrain. We got out on our own effort but we lost all possibilities of keeping our top 10 spot. We lost power steering from the roll. With the big deflated tires it became a team effort to steer the Jeep through the jungle. Especially during the special stages. We ended up 16th in the end. Even with all the additional knowledge and experience it was still one hell of and adventure. Some unknown bug bit me, and I got a 40+ fever for two weeks. I lost function of most of my muscles and was constantly loosing consciousness. They sent blood samples to all the best tropical disease centers. None was able to find out what it was. Eventually after two weeks I just snapped out of it like nothing had ever happened. A South African and Dutch participant also got it. Mysteries of life!!!



"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Sent from my iPhone

[ReconH3]

This year is the 15th anniversary for the RFC and they have something special organized. I was invited to return but this year is impossible for me. Too much going on in my personal life. All good fortunately. Also because they have a tire limit and none of my rigs are within that limit.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Sent from my iPhone

[aka rover]

Nice pics I remember you there! I was there in 1999 and 2000! I was driving the blue jeep TJ came in 10th I had to DNF one of the events due to battery problems!!! I didn't get to do the terminator.

But was a blast to do, Chriss Hummer is a friend of mine who had a big influence on the challenge and helped luis wee out quit a bit, And of course is one of the simex designers.

Wish I coud go this year as well but I had to decline.

Cheers Ed

[ReconH3]

Chris Hummer, Peter Taylor, David Metcalf and the rest of the Aussie/UK crew were a huge help to Luis to making the RFC what it is today. Luis had the spirit and drive, those guys had the experience and know how. That combo is what made such a great event. I stay in touch with both Chris and David. Amazing guys and friends for life.

[beverly]

aka rover,

Would this be the same Jeep you took with you? I found it on CL last month and they recently posted it again. It caught my eye as it is seriously built for off road. I'd love to turn it into an overland machine..might have to go take a look at it sometime when the stars align for me.

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/cto/3309525294.html

[aka rover]

Yes that is the same jeep for sure!.. It has been striped of alot of the original equipment it had when I owned it. I saw a year ago and the second 20 gal. tank was missing all the HID lights are gone the modified for competition 8275-50 is not there, the supercharger is gone as well as a bunch of other items. It is still a great rig! they are asking close to the same price I sold it for but with a lot less stuff.

I hope someone gets it and puts it to a good use.

Cheers Ed




aka rover,

Would this be the same Jeep you took with you? I found it on CL last month and they recently posted it again. It caught my eye as it is seriously built for off road. I'd love to turn it into an overland machine..might have to go take a look at it sometime when the stars align for me.

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/cto/3309525294.html

[mazafaka]

Hello everybody :)

Ten years ago I looked into pictures of that yellow L200 on Rainforest Challenge (was made by some famous photographer FENUI for Russian '4x4 Club' Magazine) and imagined how I tune my car once in the future. It looked moderately changed and ready for the ride, I decided to make one for myself.

Were there 35'' tires on it?

I am repairing old Russian SUV, maximal tires' diameter for its axles is 35'' and I think I will have to buy another gearbox with lower ratios because of small engine and situation that with heavy cargo and water in the clutch the car just stops.

This UAZ I currently repair is pretty robust for standard tires which are 30'' in diameter (it can tow heavy things and can take about 1-1.5 tons while its weight is about 1.6 ton), and short as Jeep Wrangler and pretty lightweight, it is actually its best quality and benefit.

I plan to add roll cage and eliminate the rust, lift the body about 3'', change wheel arcs a bit, arrange some tools (electric air compressor, 160 liters per minute, in water-resisting supermarket packet, coffee pot with long wire and gasoline blow lamp for winter engine runs, tools, and straps, block and shackles in plastic box) under the bonnet and mount some huge battery (190 Ah, 50 kg, 20''x10''x10'') right back of the rear axle in the frame, and put 35x12.5 tires. Will have to weld up some protection for standard fuel tanks (2x40 liters, 9''x9''x40'') located at standard place.
138986http://forums.drom.ru/attachment.php?attachmentid=2565209&d=1337525222&thumb=1