Internet Desk: Gurmeet Virdi and his co-driver Kirpal Singh Tung have recently created history by not only becoming the first Indian team to successfully complete the RFC Global Final held in Malaysia, but have also emerged as the winners of the ‘below 3050cc diesel’ category at the RFC 2016 Grand Final, thereby putting India firmly on the global off-roading map. Team India scored 1,361 points out of 2,400 after the completion of the 20th edition of what is considered to be one of the top 10 toughest motor races in the world.
RFC Grand Final is the culmination of the Global RFC Series, which has 25 editions worldwide in countries like India, Australia, Russia, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Korea, Myanmar, Ukraine, Balkans, South Europe and North Europe among others. This mega clash of the best offroaders from across the globe was held from 25th November to 5th December, 2016 in Malaysia. This year, Gurmeet Virdi and Kirpal Singh Tung represented Team India in the event. They had won an automatic entry to the event by winning the India Edition of RFC in July 2016.
After this feat Gurmeet said,” The last few days have been overwhelming. We realized that we had achieved something major the moment we went to the podium to collect the champions trophy for the ‘Below 3050cc diesel’ category. But we were not expecting this level of love and wishes, not only from the off-roading community but also from people in general. The competition was extremely tough as we were competing against champions from across the world. In fact, the list of achievements of some of the competitors was so impressive that I felt honored just to be a part of that elite company. As for the future, off-roading is now a part and parcel of our daily routine and we will continue to participate in all the exciting competitions that come our way. One definite goal is to win RFC India 2017 so as to get an automatic entry to RFC 2017 Grand Final.”
According to his fellow driver Kirpal Singh Tung,” The RFC Grand Final is the Mecca of all off-roading events and I have dreamt of participating in it ever since I took up off-roading in 2010. To emerge as the category winner in this competition means the world to me. Being the co-driver, a lot rested on my shoulders as I had the responsibility of running around to make things smooth for Gurmeet so that the vehicle could cross all the challenges successfully. It was extremely tiring, not just physically but also mentally. But the champions trophy is worth all the efforts and pain.”
The Indian edition of the event was launched by Delhi-based Cougar Motorsport Pvt. Ltd. in the year 2014 and despite being only three editions old, RFC India is today proclaimed by the entire Indian off-road community as the toughest off-road motorsport event of the country.