RFC 2009 - Conclusions & Results
The RFC this year goes into the twilight zone without any rain, a first in the history of RFC. The media vehicles also followed into the twilight zone which is also a first in the history of RFC. The competitors were entrusted with the responsibility of dragging the media and the marshal vehicles through the twilight zone as the reputation of the stage was to take a heavy toll on the competitor’s vehicles. 32 comp vehicles went into twilight zone, dragging a liability behind them to camp three to earn their 200 points for twilight.
The convoy left on 11th morning and arrived at camp 3 on the same day in the night, after covering approx 45 kms, where the exit out of the jungle would be through the town of Bekok.
The results of the 4th stage was put up, and we were disappointed to find out that our champions had lost one spot from their third position stand. They are now placed 4rd overall and the top spot is occupied by competitor number 161 with total 2112 with a Toyota BJ 43 with Portal axles and a 15BT engine in PO class, comp 129 in a Suzuki samurai with a Nissan Sylvia engine 1918 in 2000cc and below petrol class A, and in third place A CJ 7 with supra engine in class B -2000-3000 CC petrol at 1760. The Land Rover from Sri Lanka is 12 points . Where the Lankan team is going into the last 6 Special stages, being in the top slot of 2000-3000 cc diesel and electric winch category.
The Last 6 SS will decide the fate of the Lankans as Indika and Naveen, look to climb back into 3rd place and our third place winner of our FWDC championship Raveendra Rathnasiri aka “Allawa” Malli and Harsha Kumara, aka Raju to climb into the top ten from 11th place. Ranga, having crossed the twilight zone can now push his way through in the last stage to improve his 24th overall position. The next six stages are supposed to be the most difficult SS’s of the competition, and the good news is our Lankan team will be ready for it as that is our strength. Compared to Taprobana the SS’s in this year’s RFC has been equally tough or in some stages similar which our competitors have become accustomed to. Although the weather has been dry the SS have been quite tough compared to previous years, as they are set in creeks and in wet river beds.
The overall position of the Lankans is historic at RFC, and the buzz about the Lankan preparation has brought a lot of attention towards Sri Lanka and its 4x4 scene headed by the FWDC. Indika’s and Especially Naveen’s brilliant co driving has put Lanka in the Map and enticing some of the best 4x4 drivers here to look at our events in the future.