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The first foreign team to this year’s Rainforest Challenge (RFC) has already signed up in January. This is the earliest record entry ever for the event. Congratulations – Navin Surath Marapana and Indika Sanjaya from Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka.
Both are now preparing their Range Rover Classic which will be “battle tested” many times before they embark for D-Day at the end of November for Malaysia. In their most recent test at the Habarana Region in the South Eastern part of the island, they won the three-day jungle event out of a field of 20 competitor teams.
“We have to overcome a tough expedition style transport stage through logging tracks in the jungle after the Prologue Stages. Then its more action along another extreme transport stage with special stages in between, comprising of mud, uphill and downhill tests of skills before coming to the finishing line,” said Indika. “After proving ourselves at home, we would like to see how we fare against the rest of the world – time to take on the RFC,” added Navin. Apart from their latest win, both have also seen action in various off-road events for the past two years, like 4x4 Challenge, Nuwara Eliya Challenge and Land Rover Challenge.
Most naturally, their hardware is being upgraded. “We shall install a new engine, possibly the 2.8 litre version of the 300 tdi, Warn winches for front and rear, Mickey Thompson 35” tyres or similar, heavy-duty suspensions, internal roll cage and, of course, more modifications to come. We still have plenty of time for upgrading as well as trial-and- error sessions before the Big Day,” commented Navin. “You bet, we shall certainly put up a worthy fighting machine as the First Entry from Sri Lanka,” he concluded. Apart from their hardware, they both know that it’s their mental, physical and skills preparation that count in an extreme jungle event.
Meanwhile, it’s good to know that the two main clubs on this tropical paradise (4x4 Club and Land Rovers Owners Club) numbering slightly more than 200 members are actively pursuing their hobby, sometimes at regular “mud-hole” weekend club events and activities. Four wheel driving is now becoming one of the fastest growing pastimes on the island.
Welcome Sri Lanka, to the world of 4x4 sports and adventure!!
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