History

1997

The first ever RFC took off on 23rd November 1997 in Kuala Lumpur. It was flagged off by the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia with full pomp and fanfare at Dataran Merdeka in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Gimmicks included the entry of two elephants at the main arch to hand over the Malaysian flag to the VIP. Seven countries were represented then, they were Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden and Malaysia. The route took the adventurers from Kuala Lumpur to Commonwealth Park, Simpang Pulai, Pos Slim, Lasah, Pos Twel, Pos Hendrop, Pulai, Gua Musang, Felda Aring, Sg Terong, Sg Miak, Piece of Cake Hill, border crossing, Hulu Pelaggong, Kenyir, Kuala Berang, K. Terengganu (Batu Burok), Felda Menkawang, Sg Klamin, Sg Loh, Bukit Pelindong (beach), Kuantan, Pekan, Kuala Rompin, Mersing, Kahang, Sg Endau, Bekok and No Hands Trail. The 1997 edition was full of action, but the weather was kind to the adventurers. Not much rain fell at that time, which enabled better control of the convoy and logistics. It was a closer group of teams and vehicles then. However, the camaraderie and fun of traveling together along the tracks were more than enough to make up for the lack of rain. The closing ceremony took place at Ming Court Hotel. RFC 1997 finished on schedule. The Champion trophy went to Malaysian team from Sabah with Australia coming second and another Malaysian team clinching third place.

1998

Spectacular send off in 1998 at the newly completed Suria KLCC, the venue of Kuala Lumpurs landmark, the Petronas Twin Towers. The colourful opening ceremony was flagged off by the Minister of Tourism. The dancers, stilt walkers in jungle outfit and Silat warriors added to the pomp and gaiety of the opening ceremony. The countries represented had increased to 14, which came from Australia, Hong Kong, Italy, Denmark, Japan, Koera, Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom and Malaysia. It was also the first time that cross country motorcycles from Husaberg came along to test out the jungle terrain. From Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur to Batu Tiga outdoor tracks, Tanjung Malim, Kuala Woh, Berang, Tapah, Ringglet, Brinchang, Kg Raja, Blue Valley, Pos Brooke, Gua Musang, Felda Airing, Sg Terong, Sg Miak, Piece of Cake, Border Crossing, Terminator, Great Escape route, Bridge to Nowhere, Kuala Berang, Kuala Terengganu Batu Burok, Sg Klamin, Sg Loh, Awana Kijal, Sg Lembing - tour of mine and Sg Kuantan. The RFC 1998 witnessed the very first jungle escapade. La Nina brought stormbringer rains, this time to give the convoy a torturous exit with mud, landslides, swollen rivers and awesome obstacles for company. It was a classic story of getting out of the rain. Stories of bravery, camaraderie, adventure and teamwork began reverberating from the jungle to reach 4x4 fraternities around the world. Two cars were left behind to be rescued a few days after the rain stopped, these were one from Hongkong and one from Spain. Both were Mercedes G wagons. The closing ceremony was held at Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur on 9 December. Attended by the Minister of Tourism. The Champion Trophy went to Australia with Malaysian teams coming second and third.

1999

By the third edition 1999, RFC Selections rounds began to take place in Korea, Japan, S.Africa, Italy, Spain and UK for the very first time. The objective is to get the best qualified teams to come for the final mother event in Malaysia. Represented by: United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Spain, Australia, United States, South Africa, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Hongkong, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. From Dataran Johor to Plaza Angsana outdoor tracks, Hulu Sedili, Mersing, Tasik Chini, Sg. Lembing, Kuala Terengganu, Kuala Berang, Pengkalan Gawi, Kenyir, hulu Terengganu, Terminator Hill, Great Escape Route, loop round Kenyir, back to Bridge to Nowhere and to Awana Kijal. The events spectacular opening ceremony took place at Dataran Johor Bahru and was officiated by HM the Sulatn of Johor. It also entered in the Malaysian Book of Records as the largest 4x4 convoy gathered in one place. This edition will be remembered as the Great Retreat as the merciless rain poured down on the convoy at the Twilight zone of hulu Terengganu. Various groups took their turn to get out of the rain again, as in 1998. Some support cars ran out of fuel, others stayed back to be rescued while others walked out to the Bridge to Nowhere to get assistance. It was an adventure that caught the attention of everyone and the media. Stories of bravery, camaraderie, sweat, tears, triumph and jubilation were circulated worldwide. It was an adventure not easily forgotten for a long time. On the last day, a quarter of the vehicles were still battling the awesome tracks to get out. Some vehicles were rescued days after the event was over, when the weather was better. The closing ceremony was held on 8th December at Awana Kijal. It was attended by the State Chairman for Tourism and the state exco. It was still raining heavily at that time. The champion trophy went to Australia with Malaysia-Korea second and Malaysia third.

2000

The 2000 edition was flagged-off at Dataran Ipoh, Perak, in conjunction with Visit Perak Year, with full pomp and fanfare by the Hon. Minister of Tourism and VIP state dignitaries. From there, the convoy headed for Prologue Special Stages at Station 18 Pengkalan, hot springs, Simpang Pulai, Kg Raja, Highlanders I (Kg. Rengil) and II (Pos Blau), Gua Musang, Sg Terong, Sg Miak, Fire Fox 1, Fire Fox 2 (Terminator Hill), Fire Fox 3 to 5 (Bridge to Nowhere), Pengkalan Gawi, Kuala Terengganu. The event was represented by: USA, Venezuela, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hongkong, China, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Italy, Spain, Canary Islands, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom, Ireland, Slovenia, Austria and Malaysia. The closing ceremony took place at Primula Park Royal Hotel on 5th December 2000.

2001
The 2001 edition took off at the New World Hotel in Genting Highlands on 25 th November, flagged off by the Hon. State Minister of Tourism, YB Datuk Maznah Mazlan. The event took place in the aftermath of the September 11 th , a most difficult time for RFC. However, apart from the absence of a few countries, the attraction of the RFC ruled, more than 20 countries made it to the starting line. It was also awarded a Malaysia Book of Record entry as the Most Countries Participation in a 4x4 event for its 2000 edition (27 countries).

Route – Genting Highlands, Sg Dua, Jerantut, Kuala Tahan, Kg Mat Daling, Sg Tekai, Felda Lepar Utara, Sg Berakit, Gambang and Balok. Best remembered as the “Information War” to inform overseas participants (especially Western countries) that Malaysia is a safe country – in the aftermath of September 11 th . It was a marathon task by the RFC Secretariat to keep everyone properly informed that foreigners are safe from harm.

The Champion trophy went to Australia, with Malaysia coming in second and the UK winning the third placing overall.

2002
The event took place from Gunung Senyum in Termeloh on 26 th October and ended at Summerset Hotel in Kuala Rompin on 5 th November. The Bali bombing on 12 th October shook our international participants too, especially the westerners. However, in the end nationalities from 26 countries came to have their adventure.

The most memorable theme was "winching, winching, broken, broken" to signify the number of winching exercises that the teams had to go through and the number of broken winches. The special stages ended just before the Twilight Zone. With the number of broken down vehicles, it was impossible to carry on, only less than 10 vehicles made it through which included the New Zealand, Spanish and Portuguese teams, medic, Thai and Malaysians.

The closing ceremony was graced by HRH the Crown Princess of Pahang. The UK won the champion's crown this time, with Malaysia second and Thailand clinching third place.

2003
This year's RFC, the seventh edition, took participants from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru for the grand opening ceremony on 7 th December at Danga Bay. A total of 25 countries has been counted in for the event.

From there, the adventure took off with the Prologue Special Stages (SS) at Plaza Angsana in the city.

Rain came down in buckets from Bekok campsite which made the route to Sg. Selai like a “battle zone” with everyone struggling to get in an then out again. The sly Sg. Selai was rain-swollen and impassable.

More back tracking all long the entire route which made the 2003 episode similar to RFC 99. Best summed up as “rain, mud, struggle and more rain”. Closing ceremony on 7 th December at Desaru Golden Beach Hotel was a much sough after relief.

2004
Event flagged off at Dataran Ipoh, Perak on 28th November. The Prologue Special Stages were held at Station 18 (Ipoh) for general public viewing. Massive rain before the event had destroyed and made the original route impassable, so eleventh hour changes for Plan B had to be activiated.

This was the Predator route, which was the most difficult terrain ever, with massive landslides, erosion and gullies. For the competitor teams, scouts/marshals and some members of the press, they had to opt for an honourable retreat after 3 days of 'physical torture'.

The regrouping took place on the fourth day of the event at Lasah campsite. The remaining days at the Terminator (Sungai Dala) to the Twilight Zone (Sungai Rhui) were fought out under dry conditions but they still posed a challenge for the teams.

The awesome ravines and gullies of Sungai Rhui areas were the ending highlights. Everyone reached the ending hotel at Bukit Merah Laketown Resort (near Taiping).

Royal VIP the Sultan and Sultanah of Terengganu graced the closing ceremony on 5 th December at Primula Beach Resort, Kuala Terengganu.