By Zaki Salleh
Photo RFC
IPOH: Difficult and challenging routes from Sungai Siput to Lenggong await approximately 300 participants, including international ones, at the Rainforest Challenge (RFC) Grand Final 2023 extreme motorsport event.
This puts Perak on the map of global motor sports as the chosen final location for RFC, ranking third among the world’s toughest off-road competitions alongside Dakar Rally, BAJA Race, Le Mans 24hr Race, and Isle of Man Race.
Founder and Director of Rainforest Challenge & Rainforest Global Series, Luis J.A. Wee, stated that the RFC Grand Final is organized in selected states during the monsoon season at the end of the year.
According to him, the event has successfully attracted teams, fans, visitors from 25 foreign countries and locals.
“This year, RFC Grand Final will take place in the state of Perak starting from December 1, using forest routes and inland areas in Sungai Siput, Kuala Kangsar, Lenggong, Gerik before returning to Ipoh for the closing ceremony on December 11.
“Perak was chosen to host the event because it has various tourist attractions and flora and fauna suitable for outdoor activities such as four-wheel motor racing,” he said.
The Flag-Off ceremony will be held at Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah in Meru this Saturday, while the closing ceremony will be on December 11 at Hotel Casuarina.
Throughout the event, side programs will also be held at Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah, including stage performances, sales, and four-wheel racing vehicle shows.
Luis further explained that RFC Grand Final showcases local and international participants from Russia, Mongolia, China, South Korea,United States, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan, Italy, Philippines, and Indonesia.
He mentioned that the first RFC Grand Final in Perak was in 2004.
“RFC, now in its 26th edition, aims to promote Malaysia as a sports tourism destination, especially in international off-road motor activities.
“The organization of RFC Grand Final is hoped to highlight Malaysia and the state of Perak, in particular, to participants, visitors, and tourists as the most attractive and unique tourist destination,” he said.
