Rainforest Challenge Malaysia

[ExpeditionBound]

Great stuff for jungle junkies is Rainforest Challenge.


www.rainforest-challenge.com

*All credit to photographers.


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[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"

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[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"

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[ReconH3]

Here's some pics from the 1999 edition.







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"

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[ReconH3]

Pics from the 2001 edition.

















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"

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