South India Rally attracts huge 63 entries, 15 in fray for FIA-APRC

Chennai, Mar 16 (Representative) There is palpable excitement and expectations ofhigh octane action as the stage is set for the 46th South India Rally, thefirst round of the FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship, promotedby Blueband Sports, beginning here tomorrow.The South India Rally is ready for action with a massive field of 63 entries. The three-day event, organised by the Madras Motor Sports Club which iscelebrating its 70th anniversary, will be run concurrently with the secondround of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (Asia Rally Cup) whichhas attracted 15 entries, including the Toyota Rally team from Thailand.Reigning National champion from Bengaluru Karna Kadur and co-driverNikhil Pai, who also won last year’s Asia Rally Cup round here, will beheadlining both INRC and APRC fields in an Arka Motorsports-preparedVolkswagen Polo.Seven time National champion and winner of three APRC titles GauravGill, with a new co-driver, Aniruddha Rangnekar, is piloting an importedSubaru Impreza, and as such, will contest only the Asia Rally Cup, as alsothe Thai pair of Mana Pornsiricherd (co-driver Meenil Thanyaphat), inan APRC-spec Toyota C-HR machine.

The APRC field also includes a lone female driver, Nikeetaa Takkale fromPune, the niece of former APRC Production Cars champion, Sanjay Takale,with Venu Ramesh Kumar in the co-driver’s seat.The INRC entry list, across Overall, INRC-2, INRC-3, INRC-4 and Junior INRCcategories besides the non-championship Gypsy and SUV Challenge, is richin talent with a mix of seasoned campaigners and hungry young guns.Of interest is the return of former National champion, UK-based Amittrajit Ghosh (co-driver Ashwin Naik) to the rallying circuit after a season’s break.Ghosh has entered both Asia Cup and INRC, driving a Mahindra XUV 300.Also on the comeback trail is US-based Dr Bikku Babu (co-driver MilenGeorge Cherian), better known as “Doctor Speed”. The Rally action commences on Friday afternoon with two loops of crossover Super Special Stage where two cars race each other on parallel tracks, the first of its kind in the history of INRC. The entrants will then contest a tarmac Super Special Stage and two runsin forward direction of the MIC and Aavisa Special Stages on Saturday, andin reverse direction on Sunday.

Welcoming the participants Premnath K of Blueband Sports said “It is anencouraging sign that the INRC has received so many entries representingthe cream of rallying talent from across the country.” “This year’s INRC has a ‘Go Green’ theme as Blueband Sports and we willbe running seven rounds across India, besides taking up various otherinitiatives to make INRC bigger, better and more attractive to both thecompetitors and the audience”, he said.Vicky Chandhok, President of FIA APRC Working Group, and Vice-Presidentof MMSC, said that the Asia Cup has attracted 15 entries is a huge stepforward for this regional championship which hopefully will continue togrow in popularity as it also puts aspirants on path to realising their biggerinternational goals. “As for the INRC, we at MMSC have not spared any effort to provide a safe,enjoyable and exciting event. The Special Stages are a good mix of fast andtechnical sections that will test the machines and driving skills”, he said.