The Force Gurkha is not only the official sponsor for the Rainforest Challenge 2014, but also the winner of the first and second position at the off-roading event. This is the first edition of the internationally acclaimed Rain Forest Challenge (RFC) in India.
Force Motors had entered three vehicles in this extreme off-roading event. Gurkha no. 120 driven by Tan Eng Joo and navigator Tan Choon Hong claimed overall victory with 1877 points after six days of gruelling action in the natural terrain around Goa. Gurkha no. 107 with Mervyn Wei Shiong at the helm and navigator Abdul Hamizan Hamid were edged out for the win by a solitary point and had to rest content with 1876 points for second overall. Both the winning Gurkhas were neck to neck throughout the six day event which had a total of 23 cars coming under starter’s orders.
The third Gurkha (carrying competition no. 121) led by Sanjiv Singh and navigator Jay Shridhar was among the trio which cleaned up the maximum stages but could only go on to bag 8thposition overall.
The trio of Force Gurkhas for the RFC was specially modified to meet the demands of top notch off roading given that the Rain Forest Challenge is ranked among the world’s ten toughest motoring events. Powered by the Mercedes-Benz licensed power train of 2.2 FMTech Common Rail Direct Injection engine and the proven G-32/5 gearbox, front rigid axle, long travel heavy duty shock absorbers, hydraulic steering adapted from the Balwan agricultural tractors these vehicles could do off roading like none other. In fact, every major driveline aggregate was from within the Force Motors portfolio and the success of the cars in the event (against 22 from other rival makes) is testimony to the fine engineering and proven reliability of the Force Motors R&D team.
On the success, Force Motors Managing Director Mr. Prasan Firodia said, “I am extremely delighted with the results. This was a first of its kind event for Force Motors, we wanted to prove the off-roading capabilities of the Force Gurkha; we have not only achieved that but have also secured the top 2 positions. While a large part of this success goes to our drivers, it would not have been possible without the hard work and relentless efforts of all our team members. We are proud of the results achieved.”