[hemanth.anand]

I recently participated in the Rock N Road 4x4 masters event with my Jimny

On 28th Jan, I saw a post on Instagram by Maruti Suzuki about an event called Rock N Road 4x4 Masters. It was a Jimny-only event where 40 people each from 8 different locations compete for the title of 4x4 master.

I immediately messaged BHPian avinashsg and checked if he would also be interested to register for the event. The first reply from his side was “Are we prepared?”.

We had never participated in a driving competition as such. We have driven around the country on some challenging roads and no-roads but this would be something else. I read a bit more about the event and I replied “This is an event for both Stock and modified Jimnys which means it would be relatively easier than many such competitions. We may not win, but let’s go for the experience”

The next day he replied “Done, let’s do it then”. So, on 1st February, I registered my vehicle and both of us for the event.

Later I saw the video of Delhi event and I saw Vijaykumar from Swastikfabs in the video and I messaged him just to check how is the event. He told the stages are very simple. Although “very simple” was encouraging, I knew that a “Very simple” for him would still be challenging for us who’ve never participated in such events in the past.

On 6th Feb, the organizers sent us the rules and regulations of the event and we were informed that the reporting time of the Day1 would be 0730hrs. they informed us that the location would be revealed close to the event.

With each passing week, we used to see videos of the event from other locations on Instagram and it started to look tougher. We were like “did we bite more than we can chew?”. But every time I reminded us of the Jimny’s tagline Never Turn Back and we were like “Let’s do it for the experience”. But both of us had one aim, that we should not end up in the last position

On 26th February, we received a second communication from the organizers in which they revealed the location. It was Dirty Drivez, an off-road training academy/track on the outskirts of Bengaluru. This was the same place which I had visited some months ago for another a Jimny test drive event. The place was rather small and simple with no scope for extension. I was wondering how they’ll organize this event.

When we registered, Avinash and I had decided that we will visit some off-road tracks nearby and try to understand the car a bit more before participating. But for some or the other reason, we were occupied over the weekends. Only the weekend before the event, we could make time. We decided to drive to Achhalu Betta, an off-road hill climb to a temple 50 kms from Bengaluru. We also took along the Gypsy and another friend’s MT Jimny.

To our bad luck, the road to the top of Achhalu betta had been recently repaired and made into a smooth mud road. Even a hatchback probably would climb to the top. Some snaps from the drive.


JiGyps at Achalu Betta base

Dashboard footage of Achalu betta

https://youtube.com/watch?v=NLoWyc9CLco?feature=share

On March 5th, all participants were added into a Whatsapp group for quick and easy co-ordination. The reporting time on Day1 was 0730hrs. On March 8th, the day before the event, Avinash and I spoke and decided to leave home at 0600 to 0615 the next day.

to be continued...

[hemanth.anand]

Day 1, Saturday, 09th March 2024

I was looking forward to the event so much that I got up before the alarm and got ready. Avinash reached my home at the agreed time and we left home at 0615hrs.

We reached the venue at 0700hrs and we were among the first few to reach. After a small round of introduction, we were waiting for everyone to join.


The Event HQ


The line up of early birds


The monster Goat

The organizing team took some time to organize everything and the registrations started by 0830hrs.

At the registration desk, our documents were verified and we had to sign an indemnity form. We were handed over the vehicle stickers, food coupons and rules booklet. We were informed that the Scrutiny will begin soon after we paste the stickers on the car. The briefing for all the drivers was scheduled for 0930hrs


Registration desk

We pasted the stickers and reduced the air pressure of the wheels and were ready for the scrutiny. The officials came and completed the scrutiny and we then waited for the driver briefing.


The scrutiny card, rules booklet and stickers


Pasting the stickers on the door


Vehicles lined up for scrutiny

The breakfast truck arrived and we were having our breakfast while Mr. Ashish Gupta from MSIL addressed the marshals. By the time the breakfast was over, the driver briefing started.


The Marshals being briefed


The stage

We were explained that the event will have a total of 8 Special Stages (SS1 to SS8) which would test not just the vehicle, but the driver skill and ability to complete the courses. We had to complete 4 SS each day. While one SS was within the training academy called Event HQ, three others were designed in a field close-by. The 40 participants were split into groups of 10 and each one would start with an SS and after completion move to the next SS. We were in the second group (cars between 111 to 120).

Each SS had different set of challenges and rules. For example, going around a track in a defined way (marked by pegs and buntings), making a loop a certain way for a predefined number of times, driving onward in a certain path and returning in a different path, etc. There were penalties for breaking the bunting, breaking the pegs, not wearing proper gear (helmets, closed shoes and seatbelts were mandatory).

Only the first group for that track would be given walk-through and later drivers were supposed to see other cars and understand the track. Failing to start would be awarded a DNS(Did Not Start) which means 0 points. Any driver failing to complete a course as per the rules will be awarded a DNF(Did Not Finish) with 20 points. The fastest driver to complete the course combined with lowest penalties for a particular SS would be given 100 points and others would be given points in accordance to that. Totally a driver could score a maximum of 800 points and a minimum of 0 points. The timer button was beside the starting box and the driver was responsible to start the timer, sit in the car, wear all safety equipment and start the course, complete the course and come back and stop the timer. All the SSs had a max time of 10 mins beyond which a driver would be awarded a DNF.

All the SSs was same for Stock as well as modified classes of vehicles. This was probably MSIL’s way of showcasing the capability of the vehicle.
215/75R15 tyres that I had is still considered as stock. But because of the throttle controller and the snorkel, mine is classified as Modified. In the modified class, the cars varied by a huge margin. Huge MT tyres, remapping, free flow exhausts, off road bumpers, lift kits, rock sliders, winches and what not.
At the end of 2 days, only two winners would be picked – one in modified class and the other in stock class. Who would then advance to the finals in Goa on March 23rd.

With that done, All the 40 cars were flagged off. Since we were in the second group, we started with the SS2 first. The track marshal gave a walkthrough to the group.


The SS official giving instructions

A brief description of SS2:

1. Right after the start box, get small and steep incline.
2. 100 mtrs later take a sharp left U turn (with the right wheel a mtr below the left wheel)
3. 100 mtrs further was a tree where we had to take a right turn
4. Drive across a small yet deep sewage ditch.
5. 10mtrs later Drive across another ditch.
6. Take a sharp to climb up an incline
7. Make an anticlockwise loop around bushes
8. Come back to cross the two ditches and return on the same path

Car #111 was a stock white MT. He started well and completed the course in around three and a half minutes. Although he completed the course, he lost the skid plate to the Ditch#1.
Car #112 was a heavily modified (235/75R15 MT tyres, Stage2 tuned, big snorkel, off road bumpers and all). His car got stuck in Ditch#1 and had to be recovered. While trying to navigate, the tyres dug up further to make it slightly more deeper and more difficult for the next cars. This was the first recovery of the event and we got to see the recovery vehicle do it’s thing. it’s a monster and not how a Jimny should look like, but then, it is a recovery vehicle after all.


The Monster Goat


Recovery in progress

Car #113 was a stock one and he ended up getting stuck in the same ditch and had to be recovered.

Then it was my turn. I had planned to take the ditch at an angle.


Starting SS2

I started the timer, got into the car, started well, I got down the first incline, took the U-turn and soon I was at the ditch. It was a narrow right hander path with bushes all around. I had planned to take the ditch at an angle, which meant I had to got straight at the right hander. But when I actually came to the ditch, with the narrow path, I got more focused about not breaking the peg and bunting on the left and I turned right and thud! I got stuck in the ditch with my number plate bang on the other side of the ditch. There was grass on the ground and all 4 wheels lost traction. Trying to steer and accelerate only worsened and the marshals warned me for excess wheelspin. I had to be eventually recovered out as well. The number plate was bent which was just straightened by hand.


Stuck!

Dashcam footage of SS2

https://youtu.be/ZywALJ9CrUI

After the recovery, my car started again as number 115 with Avinash at the wheel. Same story repeated! With 4 drivers recovered one after the other, the word soon spread out and lot of people started gathering at the spot.

#116 was a stock red car and the driver came and asked me how it was and I told him to take it at an angle. He did exactly that and cleared the ditch. Everyone started clapping and applauding. He crossed it on return too and completed the track. He lost his number plate though. He came and thanked me for the advice.
I learnt that giving advice is easy but doing it is difficult. Later I realized that the whole event was designed around this. you may have the best vehicle, you may have the best mods, you might be skilled too. But it comes to how you perform at that time. Over the day, the ditch took toll of 10/37 (3 DNS) cars and all 10 had to be recovered. I think these 10 were the only recoveries of the entire two days

SS3 was right next to SS2: A brief description of SS3

1. Get down a small incline
2. 100mtrs later take a left-U turn around a pine tree
3. Drive up a long incline with a right hander
4. Take a right and cross an opening in between two pegs making sure all 4 wheels cross those pegs
5. Reverse into another opening making sure that the rear wheels cross the pegs.
6. Get down into a clockwise loop around some pine trees once and you’ll end up at the top
7. From there come back down in the same path as the onward.

While Avinash and I passed this without any penalties, some really fast drivers got a DNF because of small errors like missing to follow the defined course or the wheels not crossing the marking pegs etc

Dashcam footage of SS3

https://youtu.be/wnmW-Ts1a2A

We then moved to SS4. A description

1. Get out of the start box and drive into a small canal like area
2. Drive though the sandy/stony path and exit via a steep right hander.
3. Get down and circle around a tree anti clockwise to come up again. Repeat this loop twice
4. Get down into the same canal like area with a left
5. Drive through the canal and exit further ahead (not the same that we got in) and finish.

The exit was much steeper than the entry and tests the breakover angle of the vehicle. This was the challenging part of this track. Apart from this, the loop in this was just beside the ditch#1 of SS2. With recoveries in SS2, this track also had to wait for some time for clearance.

SS4 Exit

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ottobvvLajg?feature=share

In the previous group which did this, one vehicle got beached! When we came to the start point, One Jimny took the exit a little too fast and broke his bumper.

Both Avinash and I passed this without much fuss. Avinash was a little too careful because it was my car (although I told him multiple times not to worry) which was quite understandable. Due to this, he couldn’t exit the steep incline in the first attempt. He had to reverse a little and then crossed it at the second attempt.

Dashcam footage of SS4

https://youtu.be/mRlVIw4kguU

We later on moved to the HQ for SS1. The previous batch were still doing this track and hence we went to have lunch in the same food truck. In the entire event, food on day 1 was probably the bad part. The options were not enough, too expensive for what it offered, it was all too dry and tasted bad, drinking water was also not available and each litre of water bottle was priced at ₹50/- (one food coupon). I generally don’t waste food but I had to give away half of what I ordered to some stray dogs in the area. I just bought some juices and then we also finished some snacks that we had already bought ourselves. The unusually Hot weather this year in Bengaluru made it even worse. All of us gave this feedback to the organizers.


Breakfast and lunch

After whatever we could eat, we reported at the SS1 start point. The SS1 was:

1. From the start box, Drive on the ground level that gradually slopes upwards (one level up).
2. Take a sharp Right U and get into a steep and deep gorge that is one level below the ground level (two levels down).
3. Navigate the wavy gorge and at the end of it exit into the ground level with a left U almost the start point (one level up)
4. Drive back in the same gradual slope and then this time make a Left U turn (one level up)
5. Get into a patch filled with slush and drive through it to come close to the start point again (one level down)
6. Cross over into the deep gorge and drive through it in reverse (one level down)
7. Exit the gorge with a steep climb and take a Left-U (two levels up)
8. Descend down into the start box (one level down)

The tricky part in this was only remembering the track. The vehicle can easily tackle the other things. A shorter turning radius would’ve helped in faster track timings. Both of us finished this easily without any penalties

Slush Splash

https://youtube.com/watch?v=1_m2Ib6TcX8?feature=share

Dashcam footage of SS1

https://youtu.be/-GlBnb3b7WI

With all the SS of the day done, we both decided to return home. We left at 1500hrs and reached home. We both had only one regret…the regret of not completing the SS2!

Later in the day the standings were shared and I was at #34 and Avinash was at #31. There was one car which didn’t start in any track.

Later in the night, the organizers sent a note that they’ve got a new vendor for food and the prices were revised. They apologized and told that they will take care of food for the next day. We really appreciated the quick action.
I had kept an alarm for 0600hrs and slept off.

to be continued...

[hemanth.anand]

Day 2, Sunday, 10th March 2024

We just loved the day1 and this adrenaline rush was something we experienced for the first time. Such was the hangover that even in my dreams I was driving an SS. I heard the car’s reverse gear beep and when I turned around, I realized that it was 0500hrs and my mother had just switched on the microwave! I woke up and got ready.


Ready for Day2

The reporting time for Day2 was 0930. We wished if they had started early (mainly because of the heat). Anyway, we started from home at 0715hrs and decided to have breakfast enroute. Although the organizers had mentioned, we didn’t take chances.


Satisfying Breakfast

At the breakfast restaurant, we saw a beautiful willys and a marshall parked beside my Jimny


Three beauties

After breakfast, we reached the venue at 0930sharp. Enroute we also picked up some tender coconuts. 4 drivers had dropped out of Day 2. This meant only 34 cars participated on Day2. Our group was the only group where all 10 cars participated on Day2 as well.

0945hrs there was a driver briefing. The highlight of the day is an SS where we had to use a winch and then follow a course. The team explained how to use a winch as it was a first for many.


Day1 Standings and Winching Rules

After this briefing, we went to our respective stages. The Start points of SS5-SS8 was same as the start points of SS1-SS4 respectively but the tracks were different. Like how our group started the Day1 with SS2 and finished with SS1, our group started with SS6 for Day2 and we had to finish with SS5. Our group got the walkthrough for SS6.

SS6 was like:

1. Get down an incline and drive a few mtrs
2. Take a left beside pine trees and then climb up steeply with a right turn. This right turn has two lanes and we have to take the right lane.
3. We come to a place where we have three possible way. Here we have to take the centre way which gets down in a bushy area
4. We have to do a clockwise loop here with a steep done and steep climb up
5. After the loop we have to take the next way which goes down but ends abruptly.
6. After all 4 wheels cross a peg, there is a whistle by a marshal. After the whistle we have to reverse back.
7. Then take a left turn which joins the route back the onward route. Here there are two lanes and we have to take the right lane to drive back to the start/finish

SS6 Finish line

Again the steep climb and all others are easily tackled by the car and the challenge was to remember the track. While I missed the last left where I took the wrong lane, Avinash finished it without any penalties

Dashcam footage of SS6

https://youtu.be/dGzB1Q00c2A

We then headed to SS7 which was like

1. After the start box, get down an incline and drive up a gradual incline
2. Complete a tight clockwise loop and get down into an exit
3. Once all 4 wheels pass a peg marking, climb up in reverse towards the circle.
4. Get into another box in reverse (all 4 wheels passing a peg)
5. After this turn back and head back to the finish box

Navigating the SS7

Here again, the trickiest bit is not just remembering the path but keeping the orientation right when reversing from one box to the other box. While both Avinash and I completed the course without any penalties, like some other drivers, I got disoriented in the loop and to get into the second box in reverse, I had to take multiple front-back-front movements which consumed a lot of time.

Dashcam footage of SS7

https://youtu.be/V-VWvdA-79E

It was time to move on to SS8 which was something like this:

1. Get out of the start box and enter the canal area on the high area (the exit of SS4) testing the breakover angle again. Entry was much easier than the exit.
2. Drive through the dry canal like area and take a right hander climb up
3. Then start a clockwise loop by getting down a ditch and getting back up again. While exiting the loop the left front wheel goes off the ground dramatically from an outsider POV. Inside it is not so dramatic at all
4. Do the loop and the exit articulation twice. While doing the loop second time, it’s a sharp right and narrow area. One has to be really careful not to break the peg.
5. Then drive through the canal and exit towards the finish (the exit point is the same as the entry point of SS4)

The trickiest part in this is starting the loop second time without breaking the peg. I broke this and got a 30-point penalty. Avinash completed this without any penalty. Because of this penalty, even though my overall time was less, I ended lower than Avinash.

Dashcam footage of SS8

https://youtu.be/-cxUnA4rQaE

We then moved on to the Event HQ for lunch. Today the food was much better than Day1 both in terms of pricing and options.

After lunch, we had the final SS5. This was the winching stage

1. A manual winch was tethered to another Jimny belonging to the officials. The car had to be parked on the start line. After the start timer is on, Participants had to:
2. take all the materials-dampener, shackles and the winch handle
3. Wear gloves (if the participant didn’t have one on Day1)
4. Connect the winch cable and winch out the car for a pre-marked distance
5. Disconnect the cable and keep all the materials back
6. Get into the car and drive into the gorge (sub ground level) filled with slush
7. Take the exit mid way and get into another path on the left (filled with slush again)
8. Come out and climb up one level and take a right U turn don to the ground level.
9. Enter the sub ground level (mid way exit of the gorge) and take a left U-turn
10. Finish the snaking gorge and climb up (two level up)
11. Take a left U to get down to ground level
12. Again get into the sub level gorge but this time take a right
13. Drive through the slush again and exit to ground level by a right hander and reach the finish point

The trickiest part in this not just keeping to the track, but the physical effort needed for winching. To add to the complexity the car was parked on a high incline. This meant that the participant has to apply handbrake till the cable is tightened, run back to release while winching, pull the handbrake again after the car is winched out. One car forgot to pull the handbrake after winching which resulted in the car running rolling back far away. One driver pulled it with the handbrake on (lot of physical effort). Other driver took care of the handbrake but had kept the car in P mode which meant he couldn’t winch out until he realised and put it to N. since it was an AT, he had to turn on the car to switch to N.

Because of a surgery on my back, I couldn’t do the winching. Upon informing this to the stage marshal (none other than BHPian Starscream1188), he offered me that I can still drive the course leaving the winching and he would give me the lowest time of the track which is better than a DNS/DNF. I accepted this and completed the course without any penalties.


Orange Slush

Dashcam footage of SS5 track

https://youtu.be/v_WZP54umPI

Avinash did everything well but in the end forgot the last turn to get a DNF unfortunately.

Dashcam footage of SS5 with Winching

https://youtu.be/uvcBML1hKx0

Our group were the last to complete this and all other SS had been completed 1 hour before this. so we had everyone cheering every one of us. By the time everyone of us could finish, it was 1600hrs. By 1630hrs, the results were shared with everyone. Avinash finished at #24 while I ended up at #32.


All the SS completion acknowledgement slips

After this, the presentation ceremony began and all of the participants were handed over a certificate and winners were declared (one in Stock class and the other in Modified Class). Both the winners would go on a fully sponsored trip to Goa and would represent Bengaluru in the final competition on Mar 23rd 2024.


Certificate

A final group picture and everyone were free to leave at 1700hrs


Final group pic

Avinash had a family function to attend in the evening and hence we left immediately. Others still stayed on for photos and casual discussions.
It was a very well spent weekend for us. I thoroughly enjoyed the event. The new friends made, the knowledge shared, the skills learnt and the learnings exchanged were all invaluable and will last for a long time. Personally, Avinash and I regretted not completing SS2, but if we had not attended this, we would have missed something bigger.


Modified class winner vehicle #104

After we reached my home and after Avinash left, I took the car straight to the carwash. I removed the bonnet and door stickers and just left the small rear windshield stickers. The boys doing the car wash were like "Where the hell did this guy drive his car!" I showed them the videos.


How it arrived at the car wash


From Orange to White

It was a tiring wash for them on a Sunday evening. I had some minute maid bottles left in the car and I gave it to them as a tip at the end. After this, I reached home by around 1900hrs.

With a tired body but a contented soul, I slept well and early for the day.

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[arjab]

Good to see the Jimny doing what it is supposed to do best!
Maruti should organise more such events in every part of the country allowing greater number of Jimny Owners to take part and understand the capabilties of the little off roader.
In fact, Maruti should open the course to ALL All-Wheel-Drive's. Maybe make the course a bit tougher. That would bring into focus even more strongly L'il Jim's prowess compared to others.

[theAutomaniac]

This is what niche cars like this are meant to do! Rock n Road is a great initiative by Maruti. Best part about this IMO, is that they have classified the Fronx, Brezza, GV AWD, and Jimny into different categories and hence making it possible for the owners to experience their cars to the fullest.

While they've organized 4x4 masters for Jimnys and road-trips for Brezzas and GVs, it will be lovely to see if they organize an autocross like event for Fronx owners.

Regarding the Jimny, I hope this car never loses its charm to mainstream folks like the Thar lost its charm and is now mostly a pavement princess. Hoping to see one in my garage someday soon!

[Rohitthebest]

This was simply WOW and hats off to you guys for not only participating but completing in style too.
I have taken few detailed test drives of much loved Jimny in last few months and have transferred my entry into a company built off road event to a close friend who never liked Jimny as I was out of station. He came out completely shocked and in awe of its performance post completing the drive in the event.
Now we are eagerly waiting for All New Renault Duster to be launched very soon to check if it is a match or any competition to Jimny else we will settle for the Mountain Goat happily.

[dhanushs]

So Glad to see the 4x4 scene evolving. Now, we need people modifying the Thar & Jimny and hopefully in the next 4-5 years we have healthy community fights like the old Gypsy vs Jeep..

[pepega]

Thanks for sharing this! A very helpful read for those of us who are looking forward to participating in Goa this weekend! I am little worried for Mango who is bone stock at the moment. Let's see how it goes!

[4x4master]

It was a pleasure meeting you Hemanth. It was a great experience . We all had loads of fun. The event helped us to understand the vehicle better.

[jkrishnakj]

Fantastic Hemanth.
I was there too and was competing for the very first time. 137 was the serial number for me. It's a shame I could not meet and chat up with you during the event.

I could attend only the first day. Like you rightly pointed out, food was terrible. I had to go hungry due to the vendor using the same tawa for both vegetarian and meat.

The organisers could have kept water bottles at the SS places. For a very hot day, that would have been useful. I'm also hoping that the following years, they advance the event by a month or so, or flip dates of north and south keeping in mind the weather.

One good thing was that, barring food, everything else was superlative by the organisers. They even heard feedback and changed the vendor the next day. Unfortunately I had severe dehydration and could not participate in day 2. I was in position 9 in stock category at the end of day1.

SS2 was perhaps the toughest. It consumed my number plate.













SS4 had a steep income at an angle that was very tough. Rest two were pretty easy for a capable vehicle like the Jimny. Such events also gave me solace that a stock Jimny is equally capable as a modified one. I did see a few heavily modded ones getting stuck and had to be recovered.

I thoroughly enjoyed that day. Sharing a couple of pictures from my side too.

I also had a good friend of mine who participated. He isn't a forum member. He has a couple of good videos. I'll share the YT links once I talk to him.

[jkrishnakj]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nm1p8fmg5P4

Here's the video of SS2, the one that took away many a number plates. This was also the stage that needed maximum recoveries. It might look simple in the video but I found it very hard to maintain a line I had in mind vs the line that I could actually take.

[regnex]

Wow,

Such an awesome and detailed coverage of the bangalore RnR event. Couldn't be more spot on with the feedback.

Although most will hate me after finding out who made those stages. I am so amazed by the fact that the ones who participated experienced a different perspective of the vehicles capabilities by the end of the event.

The jimny is indeed in a league of it's own and it would be unfair to compare with other 4wd manufacturers models in the market. It has its pros and cons, but one thing for Sure is that this vehicle is a gateway to a new breed of offroad community after our beloved cj's and gypsies.

What the rest didn't know that, at the finals in Goa The 16 top finalist from the eight cities had to compete with factory spec Jimnys provided by Maruti in four different Special Stages.
The terrain choosen was a forest area deep inside the state of Goa.

Attached is a jimny used in one of the stages of the finals and the other one used by officials for track tests.

[jkrishnakj]

So, who made those stages Regnex?

I hear that a Jimny toppled trying to cover one of those SS there at Goa.
Hope no harm to driver and car.

[hemanth.anand]

Originally Posted by pepega

Thanks for sharing this! A very helpful read for those of us who are looking forward to participating in Goa this weekend!

So, How did you fare in the Goa event?

Originally Posted by jkrishnakj

Fantastic Hemanth.
I was there too and was competing for the very first time. 137 was the serial number for me. It's a shame I could not meet and chat up with you during the event.

Oh it would've been nice if we had met in the event, Because you and I were in the different groups and you were not in on the 2nd day, we couldn't meet. There's always a next time.

Such events also gave me solace that a stock Jimny is equally capable as a modified one. I did see a few heavily modded ones getting stuck and had to be recovered.

The final in Goa had all participants competing with factory spec cars. The stages in finals were tougher too. So it indeed is a proof of why the car is called a mountain goat.

Originally Posted by regnex

Wow,

Such an awesome and detailed coverage of the bangalore RnR event. Couldn't be more spot on with the feedback.

Although most will hate me after finding out who made those stages. I am so amazed by the fact that the ones who participated experienced a different perspective of the vehicles capabilities by the end of the event.

The jimny is indeed in a league of it's own and it would be unfair to compare with other 4wd manufacturers models in the market. It has its pros and cons, but one thing for Sure is that this vehicle is a gateway to a new breed of offroad community after our beloved cj's and gypsies.

What the rest didn't know that, at the finals in Goa The 16 top finalist from the eight cities had to compete with factory spec Jimnys provided by Maruti in four different Special Stages.
The terrain choosen was a forest area deep inside the state of Goa.

Attached is a jimny used in one of the stages of the finals and the other one used by officials for track tests.

Thankyou so much for adding Regnex. The stages were indeed wonderfully created with the limitations of the location. Good job by you and your team

I've watched some videos of the Goa finale and the stages were a great test for the car and the drivers. I'd have loved to drive there.