Tag: Amanda Chew

CHENNAI, 21 April 2025: When you think of Singapore, you think of skyscrapers, spotless streets, and Formula 1’s Marina Bay Circuit. You don’t think of gravel roads, rally-spec cars, or jungle trails. But for husband-and-wife duo Raguvaran and Amanda, rallying is more than just motorsport—it’s a shared dream that’s defied borders, convention, and even geography.

This weekend, the duo will be making their competitive debut at the Indu Chandhok Memorial 48th South India Rally, the opening round of the Blueband 2025 Indian National Rally Championship (INRC), representing Pune’s formidable Slideways Industries team. They’re the only international team on the entry list—and their journey here is as heartwarming as remarkable.

A Rally Dream Born on an Island Without Rallies

Singapore is a bustling city-state barely 49 km wide, where every inch of land is spoken for. Rallying there? Practically impossible. “There were no rally events. Just no space,” says Amanda, who caught the rally bug long before she ever got behind the wheel. “But I always dreamed of co-driving.”

After marrying Ragu, a motorsport volunteer since 2012 with some single-seater driving experience, the couple decided to give rallying a serious shot. “Amanda had this undying interest in rallies,” Ragu smiles. “So I said, ‘Let’s go for it’—though I did hit pause when I saw what we were getting into at first!”

Slideways Industries: The Launchpad

Their rally aspirations began to take shape when they connected with Slideways Industries, one of India’s most respected rally outfits. With over a decade in the sport and a reputation for nurturing talent through its arrive-and-drive programme, the team gave Amanda and Ragu just what they needed: a fully-prepped rally car, professional training, and logistical support. “All we had to do was show up and drive,” Amanda laughs.

Slideways has previously fielded legends like Gaurav Gill, Karamjit Singh, and Vikram Mathias, and helped produce champions like Daraius Shroff, the 2024 INRC3 titleholder. Now, they’re backing a team that’s perhaps their most unique yet—Ragama Racing, a name inspired by the couple’s bond (Rag-u and Ama-nda).

From Organisers to Racers

Before they strapped into rally suits, Amanda and Ragu spent years on the other side of the barrier. They volunteered, managed events, and served in key positions at Singapore’s motorsport events. In 2017, their paths converged again as friends, which turned to romance in 2022, and soon enough, a motorsport partnership for life.

The Road to South India Rally

Their official rally debut comes after just a single testing session last week in Coimbatore. “We only just sat in a rally car for the first time,” Amanda admits. But they’re undeterred. “Our goal is simple: finish the rally, have fun, and make friends.”

As temperatures soar in Chennai, the couple’s biggest challenge might just be the Indian summer. But spirits are high. “This is a dream come true for us,” says Ragu. “I’m particularly stoked for Amanda. She’s been building up to this moment for much longer than I have.”

A Rally Debut Unlike Any Other

Amanda will co-drive, calling the shots from the navigator’s seat, while Ragu takes the wheel. It’s a trial by fire in one of the INRC’s toughest events, but it’s also the kind of story that reminds fans why they fell in love with motorsport in the first place.

So, if you find yourself at the service park this weekend, look for the couple with matching helmets, mismatched gloves, and big grins of “Ragama Racing.” Stop by. Say hi. They’ll likely be more excited to meet you than you are to meet them.

Amanda and Ragu would like to give a shout-out to those who have assisted their journey: “This would not have been possible if not for the help of our good friend and world-renowned professional co-driver, Dale Moscatt, and Aniruddha of Slideways Industries. Each of them contributed significantly to getting us well prepared for this event.”

For Amanda and Ragu, this isn’t just a rally—it’s the start of something incredible. As their team name denotes, it’s music on four wheels!