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Motor Rallying India
To
experience that rush of blood and the pump of the adrenalin, get behind a wheel.
For those interested, India is a major venue on the international rally circuit,
with quite a few rallies now established as annual events, attracting not only
national level participation but also from the international level.
The terrain that India provides -from the deserts to the beaches, to the mountains
-tests not only the skills of the rallyists but also their mettle.
One of the more well known rallies, till about a few years back, was the Himalayan
car rally, which has since been discontinued.
Of recent origin are the vintage car rallies in which some very rare, collector
cars are not only displayed but also run in the rally.
If you're lucky, you might just spot a 1935 Jaguar convertible'or even an 1898
Humbrette.
With a terrain that shifts from hill roads to forest tracks, desert trails to
beach routes, India tests the mettle of both man and machine in motor rallies.
Several championship rallies are held in India every year. Picturesque vintage
car rallies are also held in some of the metros like Kolkata's Annual Statesman
Vintage Car Rally. One of the most challenging Motor rallies is the Himalayan
Car rally.
The Beginning
Motor racing activities first started in the post independence period as many
of the World War II airstrips in different parts of the country were left deserted
and enthusiasts took advantage of this to pursue this sport. One such airstrip
was at Sholavaram, near Chennai. Soon, racing
caught on in other parts of the country too. In time, the Federation of Motor
Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) became the governing body of this sport. Rallying
- the mission to test man & machine against Indian terrain also rose to
become a popular sport. National Championships were instituted and winners became
cult figures.
Moving ahead
Rallies were shortened to 750 kilometeres as long as they were part of the National
championship and that made competition very tight. Team MRF, Team JK, Team JCT
and Team Paarel are the only four teams in India today. Car and bike enthusiasts
yearning for more adventure started setting off to cross country expeditions.
Presently, motor sport includes activities like autocross, motocross, drag racing,
motor gymkhana, treasure hunts and precise family rallies. Thanks to a deal
between the West Bengal State Government and Grand Prix India Private Limited,
a world class Formula One Racetrack with all the attendant features, facilities
and infrastructure has been set up. Indian Narain Kartikeyan has already made
a name for himself in the high-speed world of motor racing. But some applause
must go to the sponsors who have supported him in his endeavor: J.K Tyres, Ford
Motors, UB Group and the rest.
Indian Motor racing is roughly 50 years old and rallying 30 years. Though motor
sport started with circuit racing in India, the fact today remains that racing
has hardly progressed within the country.
