17th August 2024, Hard Rock Cafe, Ipoh – Rimba Adventures Sdn. Bhd. launches RIMBA RAID LENGGONG 2024 here today. The annual off-road competition for large capacity adventure and dual-purpose motorcycles will be its 9th edition of the series since 2015. The event will kick-off at Tasik Raban, Lenggong, Perak on 25th September 2024.

For 2024, Rimba Raid will be a multi-day race event, with prologue session (qualifying) on the first race day, followed by Stage 1 and Stage 2 on 27th and 28th September 2024 covering a total off-road distance of over 300 kilometres. It is bigger and bolder than the the previous Rimba Raid Taman Negara 2023 event that attracted 279 participants from 24 nationalities, 33 race sponsors, and 20 unique brands of manufacturers taking part.

This year, all competitors will vie for the honour of conquering a punishing 300+ kilometres off-road race course into the depths of the 130 million year-old rainforest reserve. Competitors will be racing on long abandoned off-road trails passing through mostly primary and secondary rainforest, with multiple hills and mountains along the way, and numerous river crossings.

Obstacles along the route includes “Lurah Sumpah”, “Slope of Hope” and “Gate of Despair”, the cut off exit, all on the final off-road day. With only 50% success rate getting the finishers’ medal in the previous few races, Rimba Raid is targeting a 75% finishers’ rate in 2024. The forecast improvement of number of race finishers can be attributed to early training on similar trails, targeting improved mental and physical states. Many registered competitors bought new and improved purpose-built adventure and enduro motorcycles, with the attitude of competitors now being more aggressive, trained and prepared for the win.

KTM held “Road to Rimba Raid” selection process held in 3 countries, where winning racers are flown in and given the famed KTM 790 Adventure R to take part in this event. Various other manufacturers are sending their racers such as Harley Davidson Asia with 4 racers on their latest Pan America 1250, Hong Leong Yamaha with 2 units of Tenere 700 and Sherco with 20-sponsored racers.

THE MOTORCYCLES

There will be a comprehensive assortment of motorcycles on the grid, spread over three distinct classes that cover engines ranging from single-cylinder 250cc to those beyond 1000cc multi-cylinder engines such as:

MasterClass A: Adventure/dual-purpose motorcycles with multi-cylinder engines and displacements above 1,000cc such as BMW R1300GS/R1250GS/R1200GSA, Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin, KTM 1290 Adventure R.

Class B: Adventure/dual-purpose motorcycles with multi-cylinder engines and displacements between 250cc and 999cc such as Aprilia Tuareg 660, KTM 790/890 Adventure, Yamaha Ténéré 700.

Class C: Single cylinder motorcycles of 250cc and above such as KTM EXC 250/300, Suzuki DR800, Honda CRF250, Husqvarna 701.

Class B will be a grudge fight between the Yamaha Ténéré 700 and KTM 790/890 Adventure R, with KTM preparing to dethrone Ténéré 700 from last year’s podiums. At the time of writing, there will be 210 multi-cylinder large capacity adventure motorcycles, with another 70 slots expected to be filled by late joiners in the next 30 days. Class C is limited to 150 participants, with another 60 on the wait list for last-minute cancellations, which rarely happen.

With the regulations allowing only series production motorcycles, Rimba Raid does not require big money as the motorcycles can be purchased at their local dealership, off-the-shelf. The rules exclude expensive one-off purpose-built prototypes. With 19 brands of motorcycles in the fray, Rimba Raid is also a proving ground for motorcycle manufacturers, where the grueling trail will expose weaknesses and strength of various motorcycles in a real-world environment. The trail quality ensures man and machine will be tested to the limits.

THE COMPETITORS

Keys to the success of the Rimba Raid series are the passionate competitors, many of whom have raced in the previous iterations. Many race to win, the majority race to finish, the remaining race for experience. Available race slots for Rimba Raid Lenggong 2024 has exceeded the threshold 200 with another 80 slots to be filled up. Other than local champions, other countries to watch will be Singapore and Thailand and especially Indonesia, fielding their top talents. Public will be able to keep track of the competitors racing in the jungle with the provision of satellite tracking units, the first of its kind in Asia.

PROMOTING MALAYSIA TO THE WORLD

Rimba Raid is not merely a race. With the aim of promoting the beauty of Malaysia to the local and international tourists, Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley was chosen as it offers varied terrain features. There is no better way to showcase the splendour of the beautiful river snaking past the event grounds, to the ancient forest surrounding the area, to the cloud covered mountain tops and the diversity of flora and fauna.

The effort in promoting Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley requires Rimba Raid to have a close and co-ordinated working relationship with many federal and state governmental agencies, chief among them being the Perak State Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee, Tourism Perak, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Malaysia, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Majlis Daerah Lenggong, Motorsports Association of Malaysia, Forestry Department, PDRM and Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat, among many others. These agencies have given Rimba Raid much support in terms of sponsorships, materials, and personnel.

NATURE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY

At a glance, motorised sports are essentially at odds with nature conservation. Enjoyment should not be found at the expense of harming our national treasure. Our commitment and track record from previous events of being conscious of any permanent damage to the surroundings, the Perak State Forestry Department granted Rimba Raid the necessary

permits to have all participants have access the jungle. Rimba Raid will continue to take steps to enhance rejuvenation. Among activities held in this respect are:

1. Trails used were pre-cleared by loggers, plantation owners, or villagers, avoiding blazing new paths by aggressive clearing of foliage and trees;

2. Overgrown pre-existing paths were cleared carefully, and plants with foliage regrowing within 2 months;

3. Minimal disruption to local wildlife, flora and fauna such as elephants, monkeys, even tigers. Rimba Raid recognises that it is their home, and our liaisons with the PERHILITAN and Forestry Department ensure Standard Operating Procedures are followed;

4. Just like previous series, a symbolic timber tree replanting ceremony will also be held to create awareness on sustainable tree harvesting.
5. Any competitor found violating our stringent environment code on nature conservation and sustainability will be immediately penalised or even disqualified;

6. Temporary bridges built over streams or ravines will be removed after the competition to prevent access to the trail by others after the event;

7. Rimba Raid crew will revisit the trail immediately after the competition to remove foreign traces such as rubbish or motorcycle parts.

SUPPORTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY

Rimba Raid Series has grown into the biggest two-wheeled international race event after MotoGP. This fulfils another one of Rimba Raid’s main focus: to generate significant income into the local economy, and act as a catalyst to draw widespread interest towards the place the event is held at. The more than 250 competitors are just the tip of the iceberg as there will be team members, riders’ families, exhibitors, motorcycle convoys, spectators, et cetera totaling in the thousands during the event weekend. The Rimba Raid crowd is mostly of the higher net-worth segment, hence their expenditure falls into the premium category. It is estimated that the contribution against event expenditure ratio will be in excess of 10 : 1.

Additionally, more than 100 locals will be employed as trail and spectators’ safety marshals, and recovery and rescue personnel which not only provides for much needed ancillary income, but also introduces the discipline of order and organisational commitment necessary in making a world class event a success. The accommodation and catering needs will also be taxed to the full, almost fully dependent to the local folks in fulfilling the need. Rimba Raid is clearly an economic enabler to Lenggong.

EXHIBITORS, VENDORS AND SPONSORS

Spectators and visitors are promised an awesome show of motorcycles of all shapes and sizes, exhibitors/sponsors displaying and selling various products, delicious authentic local food, activities, true Malaysian hospitality, all against a wonderous backdrop. Among the major exhibitors/sponsors who have confirmed are Petronas, Michelin, KTM, Sherco, Harley Davidson, Ducati, Yamaha, Husqvarna, Gas Gas, RCB, Red Bull, Wheel Rider, Kratos Motorsports, OKO Sealants and Win Sports. Rimba Raid would also like to thank our sponsors who have provided the support, materials and manpower.

RIMBA RAID LENGGONG 2024 will be held from 25th September to 29th September 2025 centered at Tasik Raban, Lenggong.

For more information and latest updates, please visit:

https://rimbaraid.asia

https://www.facebook.com/RimbaRaidAdv