What a finale it turned out to be for adventurers of the international Rainforest Challenge Terengganu (RFC) 2007 –. It was a celebration of a decade of adventure which ended with a “Big Bang” indeed; in adventure and publicity across the nation and the world of 4x4. The participants and media had to deal with apocalyptic monsoon rain and widespread deluge and inundation, which were unprecedented in its 10-year history. This special edition of the RFC will be remembered for a long time to come for sure, with its many tales of high adventure, told and retold across the off-road world.a

The rainstorm during the week just before flag-off day on 1 December was already a big worry, which flooded the Prologue Special Stages (SS) area of Kg Bintang (Setiu). However, on opening day at Jertih town (Besut) and subsequently for 2 December during the Prologue SS, the weather was bright and sunny. With the multitude of spectators and crowd on 1 and 2 December, it was a fitting grand opening with 4x4 action aptly named as “The Rise of the Machines.” The special VIP guest of honour was the Right Honourable Chief Minister of Terengganu state, Dato Seri Hj Idris bin Jusoh.

Thrills and spills at the Prologue on 1 and 2 December were a harbinger of more extreme conditions to come in the jungle. For the hundreds of spectators that thronged Kg Bintang, it was a sight to behold – fully modified 4x4 machines taking on the 6 SS with gusto. The superbly crafted off-road competition machines represented Australia, Sri Lanka, Poland, Italy, Denmark, Austria, Indonesia, China, Korea, Lebanon, Germany and home country Malaysia. The rest of the participants from all categories (media, touring and officials) came from Europe, Asia, Oceania, North/South America making a representation of 32 countries altogether.

On day three, it was still a bright sunny day but rain clouds were already brewing in the interior blowing cool air into the campsite along Lebir River. However, it was still all systems go with more SS testing the competitor teams on land and in the water (SS 11 and 12). From there, the main convoy moved into SS 13 and 14 area where Sg Ebay and Sg Miak merged; the tracks were still easy going then. However, this area was later transformed into one of the major “battle ground” of RFC 2007 in which some, including the main scout/marshals team was caught by rising waters for 5 nights in a row and which also turned into an evacuation area to get vehicles and people out to the other bank of the river in the pouring rain.

Meanwhile, the days progressed into 4 and 5 December as the main convoy of competitors, officials and media moved into campsite Sg Terong. This is the gateway to Predator and Twilight Zone; it was at this time that the weather conditions began to turn for the worst. The rain came in buckets everyday and night; everyone was caught in the great deluge from the sky. It was like the “old enemy – the Terminator aka The Elephant Mud Hole” wanting to do something “special” in remembrance of the 10th anniversary.

For the well prepared man and machines, this was the time they have been waiting for. These are built to withstand whatever nature can throw at them. It was “face-off” for the real test of them all, the moment of truth – time to live your passion in 4x4 to the fullest. For the well prepared, they had the time of their lives; for the others they suffered the “love-hate” relationship with the rain.

Under pelting rains which came at intervals of half hour or so, the competitor teams lined up to enter the Predator and Twilight Zone (TZ) some 24 teams altogether out of the 46 teams at the start. The adventurous media participants (19 persons) too were prepared to walk into the TZ. Prior to that, 8 officials were sent earlier in the morning to walk and clear any major obstacles along the way. In total, 27 (officials and media) went in on foot.

By normal standard, the route into TZ is a very difficult uphill climb with ruts, landslides filled with twisting and slippery tracks. Obstacles like Rocky Hill, Piece of Cake Hill, Tokyo Bridge, Scorpions Sting and the Terminator itself are "heavy-weights" obstacles in their own right. But now, imagine these tracks turning into mini waterfalls, ruts and gullies that can swallow a 2-ton 4x4 easily and filled with mud as sticky as glue. For some, it was the ‘Stairway to Hell.” In these conditions, even standing upright or walking is an arduous task, let alone drive up these treacherous trails. Imagine the continuous rain day and night and being wet to the bone for long hours. For that matter, some also suffered chillingly cold nights at 1,100 meters above sea level. Some of the media cramped together (12 persons) in a tent meant for two. The only consolation was they had enough food and water. It was a bitter and hard experience, but a rewarding one for the adventure spirit.

Even under such awesome difficulties, these battle-ready trucks were able to make it to the top along with those who trekked on foot. But alas, all were stopped by the mighty Pelaggong River, which is the beginning of the Terminator. In fact, their assault was “terminated” by the swelling of the river and its swift current. And so, began the retreat to campsite Sg Terong once again. However, the 8 officials who went on foot continued forward to reach their planned rendezvous up Terminator Hill with a mechanized scout group. But it was not to be, the mechanized scouts never reached them, they were busy fighting their own “war” to get out from base camp at Ebay/Sg Miak rivers.

Meanwhile, for those turning back at the TZ, it was another nightmare which was double the trouble they took on their way up. The tracks had been devastated by water and landslides which they did not encounter before. Some tumbled down, some scrapped through but all took two nights of hard slogging to reach base camp at Sg Terong. Each of them has their own “to hell and back” stories to tell.

By now, everything at all the campsites has turned into quagmire of soggy and muddy grounds and every one was separated by swift swelling rivers. Going anyway is an adventure in itself. Traveling 2kms took all day. By now too, the whole convoy of over 100 4x4s and 345 people were divided into 7 groups – some were caught inside the tracks while some were on the outside; each group making its own adventure in getting out of the rain – this turned out to be the greatest escape story in the 10-year history of the event!

The main retreat for those inside was stopped by the swelling of the Ebay and Miak rivers in which the main scout team was also trapped. But, they planned an ingenious way of winching and using “flying fox” techniques of getting people and machines across. By 8 December, the decision was to get all participants out via Kg Miak and towards Laloh. It was simply impossible to get the vehicles out to tarmac by now. Rain kept falling, every uphill, stream or ruts had been transformed into massive obstacles – every km gained was a struggle which required winching and manpower. It was a race against time to Kg Miak on 9 and 10 December. Some were still far behind (the last group reached Kuala Terengganu on 12 December).

By now too, there was widespread flooding in Kelantan and Terengganu. For the RFC, it was a strategic retreat to Kg Miak and Laloh and this time, it was by boat provided by the Fire & Rescue Brigade and the Police based at Kuala Krai. The first time in the history of the RFC that participants have to be evacuated by boats. It was a dramatic scene with rain still falling and boats speeding off to Laloh. The combined efforts and the mobilization of the state agencies in coordination with RFC officials who were on the outside (the competition support crew & event hq) succeeded in bringing out all the participants to dry land.

Meanwhile, news came from the army communications (Squadron 1, Camp Rasah) attached with the event of the rescue by boat of the 8 scouts who trekked up Terminator Hill and had walked its entire length of TZ to Sg Puah (38kms in total). That was another morale booster on 8 December. Communications was also aided by Smart Link satellite phones.

"Never in the history of the RFC has the rains been so heavy and unforgiving, the river levels so high and swift, the tracks so treacherous; but I am happy to say that the human spirit to endeavour through these difficult times shines thorough brilliantly. All those who took part in this epic RFC in this special anniversary year are heroes, simply put, you have made it!" summed up Luis J.A.Wee, the founder and event director.

In fact, so difficult that this event has been, that there were no results of winners at prize giving ceremony on 10 December at Primula Resort Hotel in Kuala Terengganu. Only the Enduro Bikes Open and Veteran Class winners were announced, they did not enter the jungle proper. The closing ceremony was graced by the Right Honourable Dato’ Hj Mohammad bin Awang Tera, the state Chairman of Industrial Development and Tourism of Terengganu. Giovanni Sala, the World Enduro Champion was also present with Tri- Mus Motorsports, the motorbike partner of RFC 2007. At that time, more than half of the 4x4 category were still struggling on the way out; everything and everyone was practically washed out by the monsoon rain.

It was only on 12 December that everyone was accounted for but they have to leave most of the 4x4 machines behind, to be rescued in the second chapter of RFC 2007. The sage continues with the rescue operations to get the hardware out of the flooded jungle.