2007 Rainforest Challenge - Malaysia

[Lexlux]

Duncan if you know different circumstances why post crap on here.

[Big-Fella4x4]

Duncan if you know different circumstances why post crap on here.

Geez talk about over sensitive Lawrie, but if you read the reports on the RFC website the amount of water is massive, something most of us aussie's will probably never be a part of and I certainly do hope that all concerned get out safely.

And Lawrie if you cant see the funny side of the analogy, then get over it.

[dogrooter]

Headline: Emergency rescue at RFC in Discussion





The weather forecast predicts further heavy rain for the Terengganu region where the Rainforest Challenge takes place. After watching the river for the last two days the RFC officials only see small chances that it will go down far enough to pass the vehicles across. After the next village on the track the route is currently completely gone. So even after the current river there would be no way out.

Tomorrow at 10h in the morning a decision will be made. The options are non promising. Due to severe flooding in the south of Malaysia all available ponton bridges from the Army have been sent to the south. A mobile Army aluminium bridge for tanks is available but it would take too much time to set it up. On Sunday morning it is planned that a helicopter from the Malaysian fire brigade lands at the HQ campsite to bring medical supplies and to pick up parts of the camp. Everyone is well to our knowledge - conditions permitting. The campsite of the main convoy is too small for the helicopter to land so this part of the RFC will have to choose another way out.

If the river has not gone down over the night the only choice at the moment will be that everyone crosses the river on the steel cable or by swimming. Then the 10 kilometers to the jungle village will have to be managed on foot by everyone. At the village the alarmed Malaysian fire brigade has already arrived with boats as any other escape route is not passable. So from the village on the participants will need to embark the rescue boats and will be shipped downstream the river where a pickup on normal streets is possible.

A large part of the competitors has arrived at the river campsite by now. The only choice for them will be to walk out by foot and leave their vehicles behind until they can be rescued or to stay with the vehicles until the water goes down.

We will keep you updated with the latest information - if the conditions and the power supply for our equipment permit it. Due to these reasons we are currently also not able to transmit videos and pictures on a regular basis. For relatives and families there is no need yet to be alarmed. The conditions in the jungle can greatly change with rain and in this year the RFC was hit with severe amounts of it. However - this is a chance that everyone takes who is participating. Already now it is very likely that this is one of the Rainforest Challenges that will be remembered very intensely by everyone ...

Article from 08.12.2007, marathorally.com/mr


Thank god it was not that bad in 2004 when I was there....

[Tojo]

sounds like a huge adventure. Somehow i dont think anyone will be worrying about who wins! Do they usually run the RFC in the monsoon season?

[Smithy jnr]

Yes, the monsoon makes it interesting/exciting. Anyone can drive a dry clay hill, try it with bucket sized monsoon rail fall and it is seriously hard work..

[suzuki boy]

Far out sounds like it's getting serious!

Has always been the hardest comp in world so they knew what they where in for!

[Mickey Thompson Racing]

Operation To Rescue 131 Stranded Expedition Members Begins


KUALA KRAI, -- An operation to rescue 131 participants of the Rainforest Challenge 2007, stranded in the forest following flooding in the area since three days ago, began today.

Kelantan deputy police chief SAC II Amir Hamzah Ibrahim said the expedition participants from 36 countries and in 69 four-wheel-drive vehicles were now stranded at Sungai Ebey, about 30km from here.

He said the operation was mounted as some of the participants, including a number of women, were injured, though not seriously, or having fever.

He was speaking to reporters at the rescue operation base set up at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Laloh here today. Also present was state Fire and Rescue director Yahya Madis.

Amir Hamzah said 24 members of the Malaysian army commando unit and Fire and Rescue Department were involved in the rescue operation.

"Fourteen boats are being used in the rescue operation while waiting for the water level in the river to recede. The team will take at least four hours to reach the area."

He said earlier effort to rescue the expedition members using helicopters failed due to the bad weather.

The Rainforest Challenge began on Dec 1, covering areas like Jerteh, Besut, Setiu and Tasek Kenyir in Hulu Terengganu and should be end at Batu Buruk beach, Kuala Terengganu, today.

However, due to the flood, they tried to find a way out via Kelantan and got stranded.

Yesterday, seven of the expedition members managed to get out of the area by using a simple bridge which they built themselves.

-- BERNAMA

[Rogue Patrol]

Hope no one is too badly hurt.

Damn they musta had some rain!!!

[Mickey Thompson Racing]

KUALA KRAI: Another 68 participants of the 11th Rainforest Challenge (RFC) expedition were rescued yesterday.

They were among 178 participants who had been stranded in the Sungai Ebay forest in Gua Musang since last week following rising water levels.

Seven of the participants were rescued on Sunday.

There are another 103 participants still in the jungle.

When met at the rescue operation base in SMK Laloh near here, deputy Kelantan police chief SAC II Amir Hamzah Ibrahim said the participants were rescued in two operations between 11am and 5pm.

"They were found in Kampung Miah, which was on the expedition route. The participants were waiting on top of their four-wheel-drive vehicles which were almost submerged by the floods."

Amir said except for a female journalist who was slightly injured, the other participants were unhurt.

He said the journalist, identified only as Yang Qu, 26, from China, was now warded at the Kuala Krai Hospital.

The rescue team had initially wanted to use a helicopter to ferry participants out from the jungle, but the bad weather prevented them from doing so.

"However, even without the air support, (rescue) operations are still being carried out smoothly. We hope to rescue the remaining 103 participants by tomorrow."

An Australian participant, Clay Mongan, 44, said he was glad that he and his friends were rescued. He had joined the expedition with his friend, Wong Kok Peng, 47.

"We did not face any problems in the beginning when we started our journey from Jerteh.

"However, problems started in the jungles near Hulu Terengganu, which borders Kelantan, when it rained heavily. We lost our direction and ended up at the Kelantan border."

Wong, from Sabah, described the incident as a challenge to him.

"I have been taking part in such expeditions for the last five years and I will not let such a small incident stop me from going on another adventure," said the father of four.

RFC Event and Media co-ordinator Atan Aris said the incident would not hinder the organisers from carrying out similar events next year.

[RoldIT]

BUGGER!

Found a couple of pics ...

[Rogue Patrol]

OZZIE OZZIE OZZIE

[Troll00]

[brentz]

OZZIE OZZIE OZZIE

OI OI OI

[RUFF]

Good Luck to all involved in this unfortunate outcome. I hope no one is too badly injured. And everyone gets out safely.

I wonder what is going to happen with the vehicles being left behind in the jungle? I imagine there is no insurance that would cover these vehicles durring this event.

[rover1]

some wild looking rigs over there...




[/img]



shame to see it come to an end this way, but its called a RAINFOREST for a reason

[PMT]

For those following the event there is information on the 2007 RFC at this web link

http://www.marathonrally.com/en/

Thanks Wayne, I have just returned from work and checked out the link, and with all the water over there it makes the cancellation of the outback challenge seem a bit wimpish (of course I know different circumstances).

But seriously I hope all competitors and Officials etc are able to get out safely.

Thanks again for the info on the web link.

Cheers Duncan

Geez i hope they don't cancell it, that would also be whimpish, wouldn't it

[Big-Fella4x4]

For those following the event there is information on the 2007 RFC at this web link

http://www.marathonrally.com/en/

Thanks Wayne, I have just returned from work and checked out the link, and with all the water over there it makes the cancellation of the outback challenge seem a bit wimpish (of course I know different circumstances).

But seriously I hope all competitors and Officials etc are able to get out safely.

Thanks again for the info on the web link.

Cheers Duncan

Geez i hope they don't cancell it, that would also be whimpish, wouldn't it

A comparison of the amounts of water was all it meant, but obviously some of you SIMPLE people can't comprehend....at least the outback was not life threatening as the rfc could have been. Once again get over it!!!!

Good to know that the authorities are rescuing all concerned, and hopefully all are safe and well soon.

[Leap Frog]

We had text from Dave a couple of nights ago. Steve Hudy and Lance were rescued a couple of days ago. Lance should be back in OZ yesterday. Dave and John were waiting with their vehicles until the river went down. Probably bored, but all well and okay.

Glen & Anita

[Rogue Patrol]

We had text from Dave a couple of nights ago. Steve Hudy and Lance were rescued a couple of days ago. Lance should be back in OZ yesterday. Dave and John were waiting with their vehicles until the river went down. Probably bored, but all well and okay.

Glen & Anita

Hope his phone has games on it.....

Good to hear the guys are OK.

[BIG GQ]

Where are you girls finding these pics? Marathonrally just seems to have shit random pics (and very few of them) that are watermarked copy right not like the above pics

[vanbox]

BUGGER!

Found a couple of pics ...

what would those wires from bonnet to roof be for?

PAUL

[Rogue Patrol]

Keep the lights from gettin ripped off?

[Mickey Thompson Racing]

It also helps push away the scrub and bamboo from the windscreen.

[rover1]

lucky they had the winch rope out.... almost looks to good to compete in

oopps



looked through all the pic's and cant find one of the other aussie over there, Clay in car 131.

[XTREME MMM]

We are home?


Yes we are all OK.

John, Steve & myself arrived back in Brisbanes this morning. I have just got out of bed and am posting a very quick update:-


Yes the 2007 will be the RFC to be remembered, THE TOUGHEST. The Aussie vehicle were very well received and mine was the only Nissan (bit of a change) in the field. Prologue SS were set up over 2 days with only 6 of the 10 planed SS being run. They were of a Gymkahana style SS that required winching with 3 of the SS being run side by side on similar tracks which resulted in one course being worse then the other, so it was luck of the draw to how you went, of the 6 SS both John & myself received DNF's in the same 4SS. The 6 SS set in the jungle were great, they comprised of water, rock, some sharp climbs and veryyyyyyyyy tight courses between trees, the Nissan felt like a pinball in some of these SS. Steve and John took out top honours in one SS (just over 5 minutes) that I was lucky enough to run the next day after a night of rain in just over 18 minutes (still within DNF time).

Next comes the Adventure to the famous Elephant Mud Hole. WQe left Base camp appox noon on day 5/6 (cannot remember been a life time ago) and headed into the jungle, just leaving the start saw a lot of the field winching. The only way that you will be able to get through a drive like this was to form a Team of 4/5 vehicles so, Max & Jacob (Danish, Jeep), John & Steve (Toyota), Fat Pony (Danish, Landrover) and Lance & Myself (Nissan), so of we went after several hours of winching (and me landing on my side once being recovered by John & Steve, thanks guys) we managed to meet up with the first vehicles out at the base of "Piece of Cake Hill" (past name from years before) the last time I was there (2000) it was a small bridge over a 2meter gap, this time 2 streams had carved out a river of 3 meter walls and a rocky river bed (what they call rivers over there would be classed as a gully or creek here, sometimes).

The next morning saw the first couple of vehicles up the other side and trying to get up the next long climb. After these vehicles it was a different story with vehicle badly stuck on now 2 exits of the river. On my turn we only had the choice of one exit which resulted in a broken main shaft (MY FAULT, the Gigglepin set up was great, and the MR freespool never let us down, both these available from Xtreme 4x4 Sport) so after getting out backwards, assisted by John and rest of Team we then started to swap over internals of winch, with the conditions as they were I decided it would be best that Lance & myself retreated and the rest go on, but before we had the winch finished we saw the reporters walking back saying that the lead Marshalls of Chris Hummer and Peter Taylor had ordered a retreat of all Teams. At this point Wong and Clay had travelled the most distance in appox an extra 3 to 4 km's past where we were.

Our Team headed back, encounting a track that was twice as hard as the ones we had getting there.

Guys been called to dinner will finish story when I get back.

Cheers
David (Team Queensland)

[BIG GQ]

Glad your and everyone else are OK Dave. Shame you spend the time and coin to get it all ready and get there only to have it end like this though

[XTREME MMM]

Back again,

Just a quick comment on Linc's post. Mate that is why I go. We walk into this event during the monsoon season and expect this, "You Cannot Control Mother Nature". To end like this was one of those things, but it was another life experience. More should enjoy the RFC, you go for the Adventure not the SS and yes this was an Adventure!!!!!!!

Back from my first steak in 3 weeks and back to the story:-


We are home?


Yes we are all OK.

John, Steve & myself arrived back in Brisbanes this morning. I have just got out of bed and am posting a very quick update:-


Yes the 2007 will be the RFC to be remembed, THE TOUGHEST. The Aussie vehicle were very well received and mine was the only Nissan (bit of a change) in the field. Prologue SS were set up over 2 days with only 6 of the 10 planed SS being run. They were of a Gymkahana style SS that required winching with 3 of the SS being run side by side on similar tracks which resulted in one course being worse then the other, so it was luck of the draw to how you went, of the 6 SS both John & myself received DNF's in the same 4SS. The 6 SS set in the jungle were great, they comprised of water, rock, some sharp climbs and veryyyyyyyyy tight courses between trees, the Nissan felt like a pinball in some of these SS. Steve and John took out top honours in one SS (just over 5 minutes) that I was lucky enough to run the next day after a night of rain in just over 18 minutes (still within DNF time).

Next comes the Adventure to the famous Elephant Mud Hole. We left Base camp appox noon on day 5/6 (cannot remember been a life time ago) and headed into the jungle, just leaving the start saw a lot of the field winching. The only way that you will be able to get through a drive like this was to form a Team of 4/5 vehicles so, Max & Jacob (Danish, Jeep), John & Steve (Toyota), Fat Pony (Danish, Landrover) and Lance & Myself (Nissan), so of we went after several hours of winching (and me landing on my side once being recovered by John & Steve, thanks guys) we managed to meet up with the first vehicles out at the base of "Piece of Cake Hill" (past name from years before) the last time I was there (2000) it was a small bridge over a 2meter gap, this time 2 streams had carved out a river of 3 meter walls and a rocky river bed (what they call rivers over there would be classed as a gully or creek here, sometimes).

The next morning saw the first couple of vehicles up the other side and trying to get up the next long climb. After these vehicles it was a different story with vehicle badly stuck on now 2 exits of the river. On my turn we only had the choice of one exit which resulted in a broken main shaft (MY FAULT, the Gigglepin set up was great, and the MR freespool never let us down, both these available from Xtreme 4x4 Sport) so after getting out backwards, assisted by John and rest of Team we then started to swap over internals of winch, with the conditions as they were I decided it would be best that Lance & myself retreated and the rest go on, but before we had the winch finished we saw the reporters walking back saying that the lead Marshalls of Chris Hummer and Peter Taylor had ordered a retreat of all Teams. At this point Wong and Clay had travelled the most distance in appox an extra 3 to 4 km's past where we were.

Our Team headed back, encounting a track that was twice as hard going back then coming in.

We ended stopping at the end of a line of Media and Official vehicles where a couple of days before we had run 2 great SS. But with the river below coming up and down it became a wait time. The Xmen had set up a cable from one side to the other which would secure the vehicle by a block and strap, you would then be winched across the river when the water went down. That afternoon saw a couple of vehicles returned to the other side in this fast following deep river before the water rose yet again.

Next morning the water had dropped and it was time to start again. The down hill run into the area where the vehicle were to be marshalled was an off camber and severley washed out hill, with the Media vehicle's in front this was going to be a very long process. But during this one Media vehicle got into trouble on the hill, another went into winch back and down but then put himself into a position of no return, resulting in vehicle sideways and then over, the driver coming out of cab a vehicle rolling back onto him, but as luck would have it he went back in the other side open window, no one hurt.

Our group then went forward to do recovery of him, which put us up front and across the river. Water was at the top of door and following very quickly, but with the rear secured by strap and cable above river we were able to get to the other side.

The group then proceeded to reach Camp HQ, they were also caught due to track conditions. Our group then proceeded assisting when track was blocked, before passing villiage (which is now the point of the evaceration). We were able to cross a badly washed out road with river flowing underneath to the end of the line (Dodge City, as I started to call it when) which was appox 8 kms from village, this was where the road was blocked by now dropping flood waters. It was only 10k from the main road.

Day 10, it was decided that John and myself would stay with the vehicles while Lance & Steve jumped on one of the resure boats for a 30 km ride down a very flood infected river to the evac site. The reason for John and myself staying is that I worked out it would save us 2 days and our vehicles would be in a container for home on time. Quess what the weather was not on our side.

Midnight on day 10 going into event plus 1 day we were greeted by the water going up 1.5 meters not down, so driving out was not an option. By morning water was lapping at the Nissan's front wheels which ment the water had risen another 1 meter, 2.5 meters in 11 hours.

The first resure boat on Day 11 pulled into the bank and asked us if we were coming out, yes was the answer, so cars were parked up with several others and onto the boats. Team Queensland was getting out of "Dodge City".

I have always said that you have to be prepared to leave your vehicles there, and mate, it is very hard sitting here 6500plus kms away not knowing what is going to be on it when I get it home, after all there is a lot of hard work by yourself and sponsors to get it there, but you have to rely on your local contacts and I have the most respect for my friends in Malaysia to recover our vehicles get them cleaned and packed into a container and sent home.

So John and myself are off on the 30km river run to the evac point, this was a river trip that will be remembed, being in a small resure boat sitting in the wildest flooded river I have seen.

We were greeted by the head of Police and taken to a local school and processed. food, hot tea/coffee and dry clothes were waiting along with a full medical crew to treat your sore & swollen feet and anything else that may be wrong with you. After that we were then driven back to KL, reaching Hotel around 1030 that night.

I managed to secure early flights home thanks to Terrace Travel (Brisbane).

So Wednesday night saw John, Steve and myself jumping on a plane home arriving in Brisbane Thursday 13 Dec.

I would like to thank all our friends in Malaysia who supported us before, during and after the event and who are still working to get our vehicles out of the jungle and into a container for shipping home.

Cheers
David (Team Queensland)

[cebarry]

So good to hear all u guys are safe and home. ....thanks for the update Dave......what an amazing adventure over and above the usual RFC, u experienced this year too.....makes our nite in a smelly sheering shed a Viewmont ...luxury, not to mention the lamb bbq, hot shower put on by Shultsy and the marshalls

Interesting to learn yours was the only Nissan also.....

Cheers,
Celia & Eugene

[goodie]

so what happens now is it just a waiting game to see when you guys get your trucks back?

[XTREME MMM]

Now we sit and wait.

The road into the village is a main logging track and will be fixed as soon as the water goes down.

As we speak Xmen have or will be heading back in via river and move our vehicles back to the village where there will be more security.

After water drops could be down now for all I know (finding out after this update) or it could be 1 or 2 weeks, vehicles will be driven to bitumen where Max & Jacob will take vehicles back to KL (400+kms) and delived to Jason Ho & Dave Stewart who will arrange cleaning and checking of vehicles and finally load into container.

So we should have our vehicles back by February if lucky. All depends on the water levels dropping.

Thanks all for your concern & support.

Cheers
David