Team Hyderabad stays on top after nine special stages, while Sarjerao Kawade leads the 4×4 Modified category on its opening day.
Quepem, Goa | July 29, 2026
RFC India 2026 entered its second day with fresh challenges for competitors in Goa. The 4×4 Extreme category moved into dense forest terrain, while the 4×4 Modified category began its campaign on the previous day’s course.
After the completion of Special Stages 1 to 9, Kranthi Kumar Vengala and co-driver Rajeev Lal PM from Hyderabad retained the provisional lead in the 4×4 Extreme category. The duo scored 790 points out of a possible 900.
Kerala’s Anand Manjooran and Vishnu Raj climbed to second place with 745 points. Ujjal Namshum and Chethan Chengappa from Arunachal Pradesh remained third with 688 points.
Leaders overcome major setbacks
Day 2 proved just as demanding as the opening day. Championship leader Kranthi Kumar lost a tyre during one of the stages. However, he completed the stage on three tyres before recovering the missing wheel.
Ujjal Namshum also faced a dramatic moment after his vehicle toppled during the day’s opening stage. The team repaired the vehicle in time to finish the remaining stages and successfully held on to a place in the top three.
Sarjerao Kawade leads 4×4 Modified category
The 4×4 Modified category also got underway with 16 teams in action.
After four special stages, Sarjerao Kawade and co-driver Rushikesh Patil from Pune topped the provisional standings with 363 points out of 400.
Suraksha BS and Sanoj S from Coorg secured second place with 339 points. Nikunj Vora and Parag Patil from Maharashtra finished the day in third with 338 points.
Water crossings challenge modified competitors
Unlike the Extreme category, the Modified class tackled the same course without winching sections. That turned the competition into a pure driving challenge.
Two stages featured deep water obstacles, while the first and third stages also included water crossings. Only the fourth stage remained dry.
Many competitors, expecting faster stages, struggled in the wet conditions. Several teams also suffered mechanical damage after pushing their vehicles through the rough terrain.
4×4 Stock category ready to begin
Meanwhile, officials completed scrutiny for the 4×4 Stock category. A total of 23 vehicles cleared inspection and will begin competition in the coming days.
With more stages ahead, the battle across all three categories is set to intensify as RFC India 2026 enters its decisive phase.
Stay tuned for more updates of RFC India 2026
