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Rainforest Challenge: The Flying Dutchmen Take On RFC 2005
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Written by Luis J.A. Wee
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 A Steyr Puch Pinzgauer has never entered in the Rainforest Challenge (RFC) before since the event’s inception eight years ago. “Therefore, I am going to make a historic entry with this 1971 Swiss Army Pinzgauer 710 M,” commented Rinse Koonstra from NBA Studio Frog, the producer of TV sports documentaries.
The hardware specifications are impressive enough. The 2.4l air-cooled 4 cylinder-gasoline engine has a backbone chassis with 4 independent half axles and portal axles for higher ground clearance. It also comes complete with hydraulic differential front and rear locks, roll bars, hydraulic and electrical Warn winch professional series with internal and external control.
“I have also modified the interior for adventure off-road events, compartments for recovery kits and storage for photographic equipments. And last but not least, a good co-driver cum navigator,” he added. Rightly so, in a jungle event like the RFC, this choice is very critical to complete the event under very demanding situations. A single heavy tropical downpour of rain is enough to transform the tracks into insurmountable obstacles.
 Having the right hardware and “human” software are the minimum requisites, however, trial runs are also very necessary. For the “Flying Dutchmen” duo, their testing ground is at the rugged Ardennen Hills in Belgium where mud and water predominate, the right kind of simulation. “It’s better for us to torture the vehicle to the maximum and understand its defects now than in the jungle,” said Simon Valkenburg the navigator. “We have been looking forward to RFC since last year but could not get the vehicle in time, now we are ready to roll, see you all in November,” added Rinse.
That’s not the end of the story yet from the Netherlands. Another Dutch team, comprising of an accountant and lawyer, is also preparing their Land Rover Defender 90 to face the wrath of the monsoon. “They are going in with the motto - no pain no gain, and so, they have built up an impressive 4x4 machine, wait till you see it in the event,” commented Rinse, who will be coordinating the Dutch contingent from Amsterdam.
 The next “flying Dutchmen” team has already landed in Malaysia, in fact in the northern state of Kelantan. This entrepreneur is now based in Kota Bahru, is passionate about adventure tourism services under his TAKA organization. “Our first restaurant is already operating and our eco-resorts are coming up soon,” said Ben Kamps. “I fell in love with Malaysia so much that I called my wife to join me,” he added. “Now we are complete,” smiled Veronica. The Kamps will be entering their own teams for the RFC with locally built 4x4s comprising of Malaysians and Dutch participants. Apart from that, Ben will also prepare the TV support vehicles for Rinse’s Pinzgauer.
“Since the RFC will be held in the neighbouring state of Terengganu, the timing is perfect for us to participate,” Ben added. Besides Malaysia, the TAKA connection also stretches to Brazil and East Africa with similar tourism services.
 On his participation with his teammates in November, “There’s nothing like the RFC anywhere in the world, the irresistible lure of the jungle, the ever changing ground conditions, the rainfall and the chance to meet with so may like-minded adventurers from around the world. Participating in the RFC is something most European 4x4 enthusiasts aspire to take part, besides Paris Dakar,” Ben summed up.
The Flying Dutchmen will be making their presence felt this coming November, including being aired on Dutch TV back home thanks to Frog Studio NBA. However, most of all, they will be having the thrills of their lives living out their passion in 4x4 adventure.
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