By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 19: In a state where motorsport infrastructure is nearly non-existent and access to advanced off-road technology remains limited, a ten-member team from Meghalaya is gearing up to make history.
For the first time ever, a team from the hill state will compete in the prestigious Rainforest Challenge (RFC) Goa 2025—one of India’s toughest and most celebrated off-road motorsport events.
Covering more than 3,000 kilometres from the rugged landscapes of Shillong to the rain-soaked jungles of Goa, this journey represents more than just a logistical challenge. It carries the aspirations of a state ready to prove its mettle in a sport long dominated by more resource-rich teams.
Representing Meghalaya under the banner of Team Kmstshillong, the crew has earned their stripes navigating the raw, untamed terrain of the Northeast—through slippery riverbeds, rocky ascents, and unforgiving jungle paths.
Unlike many competitors, their vehicles weren’t built in state-of-the-art garages but in backyard workshops, fine-tuned with grit, innovation, and years of hands-on experience.
Their participation in RFC Goa has been made possible through support from the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, Meghalaya Tourism, and Hello Meghalaya—marking a promising shift in the state’s approach to non-mainstream sports and its belief in the diverse potential of its youth.
At the forefront of this historic journey is team director Vicky V. Kharkongor, a pivotal figure in Meghalaya’s off-roading scene. Leading from the front will be driver Vianney B. Nongrum, whose years of navigating Northeast India’s most treacherous trails will now be tested on a national scale.
Together with their dedicated team, they’ve built not only skills, but deep bonds of coordination and trust—essentials in a sport where every challenge must be faced head-on, together.
The Rainforest Challenge, held annually in Goa, is known for pushing man and machine to their absolute limits. Participants must overcome a series of brutal stages—near-vertical inclines, thick swamp crossings, boulder fields, and unpredictable monsoon downpours.
Few make it to the end; fewer still emerge victorious. Meghalaya’s team now enters this gauntlet, bringing with them not just modified 4x4s, but a spirit honed by the hills.
What makes their participation truly significant is what it symbolizes. Meghalaya, often overlooked in national sporting circles, is stepping into a high-octane arena usually ruled by well-funded, urban outfits. But Team Kmstshillong arrives not with privilege, but purpose—armed with passion, preparation, and a fierce pride in their roots.
Off-roading in Meghalaya is more than just adrenaline; it’s a culture.
In remote villages and deep valleys, it has long been a way of life—where innovation comes not from manuals, but from necessity, and where daring drives everything. Now, that culture takes a national leap with the powerful tagline, “From the Hills to Goa”—a rallying cry that’s as much a statement of intent as it is a celebration of identity.
For Kharkongor, this journey is about representation. It’s about proving Meghalaya belongs on this stage. It’s about inspiring a generation of local dreamers to chase ambition without apology.
And it’s about showing the nation that even from the farthest corners, greatness can emerge—with determination as its fuel.
As engines roar to life and the monsoon-soaked trails of Goa await, Meghalaya’s debut RFC team carries more than just tools and tyres—they carry a story of resilience, belief, and homegrown excellence.