2026 Rainforest Challenge India: Ujjal Namshum, Chethan Chengappa defend title

Ujjal Namshum and co-driver Chethan Chengappa have won this year’s Rainforest Challenge India (RFC India) in the headlining 4×4 Extreme category. This marks their second consecutive win in the off-road event. As the top 4×4 Extreme driver, Namshum has also won an automatic entry in the RFC Global Series finale, scheduled to be held in Malaysia later this year.

The 4×4 Modified and 4×4 Stock categories also returned this year following their debut in 2025. Sarjerao Kawade and co-driver Rushikesh Patil won in the 4×4 Modified category, while Athul Thomas and co-driver Binil Babu took top honours in the 4×4 Stock category.

1. 62 teams participated in RFC India this year
2. Sarjerao Kawade, Rushikesh Patil win in 4×4 Modified category
3. Athul Thomas, Binil Babu win in 4×4 Stock category

2026 Rainforest Challenge India winners

4×4 Extreme winners: Ujjal Namshum, Chethan Chengappa

Held in Goa, Rainforest Challenge India is one of the toughest off-road competitions in the country. The event is held over a week and tests competitors on driving and vehicle recovery skills, physical and mental resilience and teamwork under extreme off-road conditions. Sixty-two teams participated in the 12th edition this year – 25 in 4×4 Extreme, 16 in 4×4 Modified and 21 in 4×4 Stock.

After a tough start, reigning champions Namshum and Chengappa (racing for the team Manabhum Off-roader’s Club Arunachal) took the lead on Day 4. They scored 2,253 out of 2,600 points to retain their title. “Defending our title is hard to put into words; there is struggle, frustration, [and] even anger along the way, and then this joy at the end that makes it all worth it. Winning is the icing on the cake, but it’s really the process, the six days of racing that we live for,” said Namshum.

“We set ourselves a personal target this year: a perfect day, a clean sweep of stage wins. We achieved that on Day 4 of the competition, and that moment was as precious for us as this win.”

Early leaders Kranthi Kumar Vengala and co-driver Rajeev Lal (Team Hyderabad) had to settle for second place overall with 2,052 points. Viddesh Madgaonkar and Sahil Sadekar (Team 4×4 Addictz Goa) scored 1,962 points to complete the podium in third place. 

4×4 Modified winners: Sarjerao Kawade, Rushikesh Patil

Kawade and Patil returned to the 4×4 Modified category with a rebuilt vehicle. Racing for Team Sahyadri Offroaders Pune, the duo maintained a consistent lead throughout the event to take class victory with 1,633 out of 2,000 points.

“Winning the Modified category at RFC India 2026 feels incredible, especially after the setbacks I faced this year. Last year, I didn’t fully understand how to strategise and give my best, but this year, I prepared properly and came in with a clear plan. Even after a difficult first day with a breakdown, I knew I had to give 100 percent on the next track. The competition this year was extremely tough, with several strong participants pushing hard right until the end. To come out on top after all of that means everything to me,” said an elated Kawade.

Shehinsha TP and Muhammed Nabeel (team KL10 Offroad Club) clinched second place with 1,572 points, followed by Gagan Karumbaiah and Bopanna Maleyanda (team Robusta) with 1,569 points.

4×4 Stock winners: Athul Thomas, Binil Babu

The 4×4 Stock category is reserved for near-factory spec vehicles. Team Killerbull’s Thomas and co-driver Babu overcame an early setback to top this category.

“Honestly, this win almost didn’t happen. I hadn’t even planned to be at RFC India this year; I was set to compete in an event in Coimbatore instead, and it was only after that got cancelled that I turned to RFC India. We made a mistake on the very first stage, and that put us on the back foot for the rest of the competition. But I told myself not to look at what anyone else was doing; just trust ourselves and focus entirely on the track in front of us. That’s what got us through,” Thomas shared. “Winning this category means everything, not just to me but to my team, my mechanics and everyone back home in Kerala who’s been behind me.”

RFC India debutant Naku Hage Chada and co-driver Loda Punyo finished second in the category, scoring 1,173 points. Sabu Xavier and Halvin Appanna (team Jeepers of Bangalore) took the third spot with 1,144 points.