INDIA in F1

Tag: Leelakrishnan

  • INRC: Winners’ Hall of Fame

    INRC: Winners’ Hall of Fame

    A list of all the winners of all the rounds starting for 1988 is compiled and given below. (Winners of a few years in the initial years are yet to be collected.)

    By David Bodapati

    Bengaluru: Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) has a special charm and attraction in India. It is the Crown Jewel of Indian motorsports and holds a respectable status among all the Nationals and vies for supremacy with National Racing Championship which, perhaps, has overtaken in popularity in the last few years due to the meticulous handling and organisational skills of the Madras Motor Sports Club. The overwhelming crowd patronage, the sheer passion and love shown by the drivers, officials, organisers and fans takes one into a different realm when one pours through the 32 editions held so far.

    The year 1996 is a special year in my life. It is the first year, I saw a rally live and was enamoured by it. I was working with Indian Express then and was transferred to Bangalore Sports Desk in 1996. Since then I have followed all the rallies and have covered at least one rally a year.

    In 1995, I had followed the reports from the rallies, and it was the largest calendar with 9 rounds and 1996 too had a menu of nine rounds, the best two years with the highest number of rounds in the 32 years of INRC history (as of 23Dec200). That year, the first three rounds were held in Nashik, Coimbatore and Madras and there were three different winners which opened up the race for the championship. We were eagerly waiting for the 22nd K1000. Come August and it is rally time here. And there was a new winner once again. Here, I met some of the legends with whom, over the years I developed great friendships. CK Chinnappa, George Francis, Shekar Bojanna, and the like. They used to reel out stories and I was mesmerised. And not to forget the two, Sujith Kumar and Madhu, who introduced me to live F1 screenings at Guzzlers Inn on Church Street, where the atmosphere used to be electric with two camps cheering their F1 heroes while guzzling draught beer. The McLaren fans on one side and the Tifosi on the other.

    Coming back to INRC, I have tried to put together all the winners of all the rounds since INRC began in the present format as a National Championship in 1988. I have started with overall winners and co-drivers. Soon I hope to dig in and come up with winners of different classes. There are a lot of gaps. I request all the respected senior drivers and veteran fans to chip in and help me pool in the missing information. I will be very thankful for any additions and corrections. You can click the link for a particular round, if the link is available, and it will take you to the rally report of that year’s round.

    A 2009 INRC image by Kishen Nanjappa. The IMG and PSP arrival as promoters has changed the rally scene in India in 2009.

    Here we go! Have a nostalgic trip!!

    Statistics Tables

    K 1000 Winners’ List

    2025 INRC – Promoter: Bluedband Sports

    Round 1: April 24 to 27: Chennai: South India Rally, Madras Motors Sports Club

    2024 INRC – Promoter: Bluedband Sports

    2023 INRC – Promoter: Bluedband Sports

    2022 INRC – Promoter: Bluedband Sports

    INRC 2021 Calendar: (announced by CYC on 22 March 2021)

    No rally was held in 2021. The revised calendar after many Covid postponements was supposed to start with Vizag opener from Dec 17 to 19. But it was cancelled in the last minute due to the cancellaltion of the Police permission and despite the best efforts of the Promoter Vamsi Merla, the rally could not be conducted even on the following Tuesday and Wednesday and all the 54 competitors had to go back.

    Later, FMSCI announced a 3-round 2021 calender to be conducted in 2022.

    2021 INRC round Held in 2022

    Aditya-Virender INRC 2021 champs

    Round 1: Coimbatore: Rally of Coimbatore, Coimbatore Auto Sports Club

    Aditya Thakur & Virender Kashyap clinch Rally of Coimbatore in style: INRC Ro.1

    Round 2: Chennai: Madras Motor Sports Club, South India Rally

    Karna Kadur wins APRC round on international debut; Nikhil Pai drives Polo magic again

    Round 3: Final round: Bengaluru: Karnataka Motor Sports Club, K-1000

    Gaurav Gill wins 7th K1000 title; 300th rally cap for Musa Sherif

    2021 INRC – Promoter: Champions Yacht Club

    Round 1 – Chennai: Madras Motor Sports Club – April 23-25; Postponed

    Round 2 – Bengaluru:  45th K1000, Karnataka Motor Sports Club -May 28-30; Postponed due to Covid.

    Round 3 – Coimbatore: Coimbatore Auto Sports Club – July 17-18; Not held.

    Round 4 – *Delhi, BND Motor Sports , August 27-28; Not held.

    Round 5 -Hampi: Motorsports Academy of Vijayanagar – Oct 1-3; Not held.

    Round 6 – *Nagaland, NAMSA, – November 12-14; Not held.

    *Subject to FMSCI inspection and confirmation of organizer

    2020 INRC – Promoter: Champions Yacht Club; Champion: Gill-Musa

    1. Itanagar, Tarmac NH415; 16-17 Dec 2020; Rally of Arunachal Pradesh; (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV500, Team Mahindra Adventure, INRC, JK Tyres)
    2. Itanagar, Tarmac NH415; 19-20 Dec 2020; Rally of Arunachal Pradesh; (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV500, Team Mahindra Adventure, INRC, JK Tyres)
    3. Coimbatore, Gravel; 29-31 Jan 2021; Rally of Coimbatore; (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV500, Team Mahindra Adventure, INRC, JK Tyres)
    4. Bengaluru, Gravel; 12-14 Feb 2021; 45th K-1000 Rally; (Cancelled on 5 Feb 2021 by FMSCI)

    *Hampi* (Karnataka); Gravel, 5-7 Feb 2021; Rally de Hampi 4w contender for fmsci INRC 2021; Organised by Motorsports Academy of Vijayanagar

    **South India Rally at Chennai, Popular Rally in Kerala and Coffee Day Rally in Chikmagalur were cancelled initially for the year 2020 due to Corona Pandemic. Later in the last minute, K1000 was cancelled and Hampi did not get FMSCI clearance and ran as contender.

    Note – All rounds of INRC 2020 were put off due to COVID-19 and only began in Decd 202. The Original calendar was 1. Chennai, Mar 20-22; South India Rally (APRC); 2. Arunachal, April 24-26: Rally of Arunachal; 3. Kerala, May 29 to 31: Popular Rally; 4. Coimbatore, July 24-26; Rally of Coimbatore; 5. Bengaluru, Oct 9-11; 45th K1000 Rally; 6. Hampi (Karnataka), Nov 6-8; Hampi Rally; 7. Chikmagalur, Dec 5-7; Rally of Chikmagalur;

    2019 INRC (Champions: Brothers Chetan Shivram, Dilip Sharan)

    Promoter: Champion Yacht Club

    1. Chennai, Gravel, June 28-30; 41st South India Rally (Dean Mascarenhas-Shruptha Padival, VW Polo, Team Champions, INRC2-Overall 1st) 26/51 cars finished.

    2. Coimbatore, Gravel, Aug 9-11; Rally of Coimbatore (Chetan Shivaram-Dilip Sharan, VW Polo, Team Akshara, INRC3-Overall first) 40/57 finished.

    3. Jodhpur, Sept 20 to 22; Maxperience Rally 2019 (Cancelled after Stage 1 due to Gill accident*)

    4. Bengaluru, Gravel, Nov 22-24; 44th K1000 Rally (Chetan Shivaram- Dilip Sharan, VW Polo, Team Akshara, INRC3-Overall first) Only 23/50 finished.

    5. Kottayam, Asphalt, Dec 20-22;  Popular Rally, (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV500, Team Mahindra Adventure, INRC)

    *Note: 3 died in the accident and the rally was cancelled after the first stage.

    2018 INRC (Champions: Gaurav Singh Gill, Musa Sherif)

    Promoter: RRPM

    1. Chennai, Gravel, April 27-29; MRF 40th South India Rally (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV 500, INRC1) 19/30 cars finished.

    2. Coimbatore, Gravel, Aug 3-5; MRF Rally of Coimbatore (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV 500, Team Mahindra Adventure, INRC1) 30/42 cars finished.

    3. Itanagar, Asphalt, Nov 2-4; Rally of Arunachal (Amittrajit Ghosh-Ashwin Naik, Mahindra XUV 500, Team Mahindra Adventure, INRC1) 13/17 finished

    4. Chikmagalur, Gravel, Nov 29-Dec 2; Coffee Day Rally (Karna Kadur-Nikhil Pai, VW Polo, Arka Motorsports, INRC2 – Overall first) 38/45 cars finished.

    5. Kochin, Asphalt, Dec 14-16; Popular Rally (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV 500, INRC1) 30/36 cars finished.

    Note: K1000 missing in the calendar for the first time in INRC due to the Promoter RRPM’s decision.

    2017 INRC (Champions: Gaurav Singh Gill, Musa Sherif)

    Promoter: RRPM

    1. Coimbatore, Gravel, July 28-30; MRF Rally of Coimbatore (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV 500, Team Mahindra Adventure, INRC). 22 of 32 finished.

    2. Chennai, Gravel, Aug 25-27, 40th MRF SIR – CANCELLED

    2. Jaipur, Gravel, Sept 22-24; Rally of Rajasthan (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV 500, INRC) 11 of 16 finished. Note: One stage of 13.8km cancelled.

    3. Chikmagalur, Gravel, Nov 23-26; Coffee Day India Rally (Karna Kadur-Nikhil Pai, VW Polo, Arka Motorsports, INRC2 – Overall first) 26 of 38 cars finished.

    4. Arunachal Pradesh, Gravel, Dec 21-23; Rally of Arunachal (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV 500, INRC) One stage of 18km cancelled. 14/17cars finished.

    5. Bengaluru, Gravel, Jan 19-21, 2018; 43rd K1000 Rally (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV 500, INRC)* 17/27 finished.

    *Left over round of 2017 calendar held in 2018

    2016 INRC (Champions: Karna Kadur, Nikhil Pai)

    Promoter: RRPM

    1. Coimbatore, Gravel, July 23-24; MRF Rally of Coimbatore, (PG Abhilash- Srikanth Gowda, Lancer Evo 8, R3A PGA Motorsport, IRC)* 32 of 39 cars finished.

    *Note; On Aug 18 protest was upheld and Abhilash-Gowda were declared winners.

    2. Nashik, Gravel, Aug 27-28; MRF Rally of Maharashtra (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV 500, Team Mahindra Adventure, IRC) 25 of 32 cars finished.

    (Abhilash-Srikanth win IRC, Lancer Evo 8, R3A PGA Motorsport – Overall 9th)

    3. Gurgaon, Gravel, Sept 17-18; MRF Rally de North (Arjun Rao Aroor- Satish Rajagopal, VW Polo R2) (Dr Dhirendra-Honey win IRC, Overall 10th) 12/25 finished. Cancelled stage 16.7km.

    4. Chikmagalur, Gravel, Dec 3-5, Coffee Day India Rally (Gaurav Gill- McNeal Glenn, Skoda Fabia R5, Team MRF Tyres; APRC) (Karna Kadur-Nikhil Pai, VW Polo, Team Yokohoma, INRC 2000) 31 of 49 cars finished.

    5. Hosadurga, near Bengaluru, Gravel, Dec 17-18; MRF 42nd K1000 Rally (Amittrajit Ghosh-Ashwin Naik, Mahindra XUV 500, Team Mahindra Adventure, INRC); (Rahul Kantharaj-Vivek Bhatt, Cedia, Team Yokohama, 2000 – Overall 3rd) 20 of 31 cars finished.

    Note: Karna Kadur -Nikhil Pai, finish 5th in K1000; enough to win championship.

    2015 INRC (Champions: Lohith V Urs, Srikanth GM)

    1. Goa, May 29 to 31; – CANCELLED

    1.Nashik, Asphalt, June 12-14, Mahindra Adventure Rally of Maharashtra (Gaurav Gill-Musa, Mahindra XUV 500, Team Mahindra Adventure, IRC) 21 of 26 finished.

    2. Coimbatore, Gravel, July 30-Aug 1, Rally of Coimbatore, (Lohitt V Urs-Srikanth Gowda, Lancer Evo VIII, IRC) 24 of 35 cars finished.

    Rally of Kerala, CANCELLED, Oct 16 to 18 (Labour strike at plantations)

    3. Bengaluru, Gravel, Nov 20-22; Horizon 41st K1000 Rally (Pallath Ganesh Abhilash-Anoop Kumar, Lancer Evo 8, IRC) 23 of 36 cars finished.

    4. Chikmagalur, Gravel, Dec 11-13, Coffee Day Rally (Lohitt Urs- Srikanth Gowda, Evo 8, RC2 IRC). 17.9km stage cancelled. 28 of 41 cars finished.

    2014 INRC (Champions: Gaurav Singh Gill, Musa Sherif)

    1. Nashik, Tarmac, June 13-15; WISA Rally of Maharashtra (Gaurav Gill- Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV 500, Mahindra Adventure team, IRC) 19 of 20 cars finished.

    2. Coimbatore, Gravel, July 11-13; Rally of Coimbatore (Gaurav Gill- Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV 500, Mahindra Adventure team, IRC). 21 of 35 cars finished.

    3. Chennai, Gravel, July 25-27; AVT Premiuim 39th SIR (Samir Thaper- Gurinder Mann, Lancer Evo X, JCT Rallying, IRC). 18 of 29 cars finished.

    4. Kolkata, Durgapur, Gravel, Oct 31-Nov 2; 3 Rally de Bengal (Gaurav Gill- Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV 500, Mahindra Adventure team, IRC). 11 of 18 cars finished.

    5. Bengaluru, Gravel, Nov 21-23; Kar 1000 Rally (Gaurav Gill- Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV 500, Mahindra Adventure team, IRC). 24 of 41 cars finished. Stages Near Doddaguni, Tumkur.

    6. Chikmagalur, Gravel, Dec 13-14; Coffee Day Rally (Vikram Mathias- Swaroop Mohan, Lancer Evo IX, pvt, IRC). 19 of 34 cars finished.

    2013 INRC (Champions: Amittrajit Ghosh, Ashwin Naik)

    1. Chennai, Gravel, March 22-24; 38th AVT Premium South India Rally (Amittrajit Ghosh-Ashwin Naik, Mitsubishi Cedia, Group N). 19 of 35 cars finished.

    2. Nashik, Asphalt, June 7-9; Mahindra Adventure Rally of Maharashtra (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV500, Mahindra Adventure, SUV). 16/28 finished. Amittrajit Ghosh-Ashwin Naik, Cedia, Group N, Overall Winners

    3. Coimbatore, Gravel, July 19-21; Rally of Coimbatore Rally (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV500, Team Mahindra Adventure, SUV). 14 of 29 cars finished. Amittrajit Ghosh-Ashwin Naik, Cedia, Group N, Overall Winners.

    4. Bangalore, Gravel, Nov 9-10; IMG 39th K1000 Rally (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mahindra XUV500, Mahindra Adventure, SUV). 23 of 36 cars finished.

    5. Chikmagalur, Gravel, Dec 19-21; Coffee Day Rally, (Arjun Rao Aroor-Satish Rajagopal, VW Polo, 1600-Overall first). 17/38 finished. 14.21km Stage cancelled.

    Note: Following rounds were announced in the Calendar but NOT HELD

    Bhuj, Northern Motorsports, April 12 to 14 (Gravel)

    Kolkota, RRPM, May 17 to 20 (gravel)

    Kochi, KASC, Sept 20 to 22 (TBA) tarmac

    2012 INRC (Champions: Amittrajit Ghosh, Ashwin Naik)

    Promoter: IMG-PSP;  (No Sponsor)

    1. Siddlaghatta, Bangalore, Gravel, Sept 21-23; 38th K1000 Bangalore Rally (Lohitt V Urs-Sujith Kumar, Mitsubishi Cedia, 2000, pvt). 22 of 39 cars finished.

    Coorg, Oct 19-21; Rally of Coorg. CANCELLED due to rains.

    2. Chikmagalur, Gravel, Nov 23-25; Coffee Day Rally (Amittrajit Ghosh-Ashwin Naik, Mitsubishi Cedia, 2000). 29 of 43 finished.

    Note: Karna Kadur-Somonnita Ghosh lost at the fag-end due to 40-sec late penalty at the last TC which virtually cost him the Championship.

    Ahmednagar/Nashik, Gravel, Dec 22-23; Rally of Maharashtra. CANCELLED for lack of gravel stage permissions from landowners.

    2011 INRC (Champions: Gaurav Singh Gill, Musa Sherif)

    Promoter: IMG-PSP; Sponsor Bharat Petroleum- Speed

    Calendar announced on 16 March 2011

    1. Nashik, Gravel, June 2-5; Rally of Maharashtra (Gaurav Gill- Musa Sherif, Mitsubishi Cedia, MRF Ltd, 2000N+) 18 of 27 cars finished.

    2. Chennai, Dirt with SSS on tarmac, June 23-26; 37th South India Rally (Amittrajit Ghosh-Ashwin Naik, Mitsubishi Cedia, MRF Tyres, 2000N+). 12 of 27 cars finished. SIR revived after 11 years.

    3. Coimbatore, Gravel, July 21-24; Rally of Coimbatore (Gaurav Gill- Musa Sherif, Mitsubishi Cedia, MRF Ltd, 2000N+). 26 of 39 cars finished.

    4. Bangalore, Gravel, Aug 19-21; 37th K1000 Rally of Bangalore (Gaurav Gill- Musa Sherif, Mitsubishi Cedia, MRF Ltd, 2000N+). 19 out of 41 cars finished.

    5. Chikmagalur, Gravel Nov 18-20; MSCC – Coffee Day Rally (Lohitt V Urs-PV Srinivasa Murthy, Mitsubishi Cedia, MRF Ltd., 2000N+). 29 of 39 cars finished.

    6. Bhubaneswar, Gravel, Dec 9-11; Rally of Odisha (Gaurav Gill- Musa Sherif, Mitsubishi Cedia, MRF Ltd, 2000N+). 15/18 cars finished. Organisers: BMSC & Kalinga MSC.

    7. Durgapur, Gravel, Dec 16-18; Rally de Bengal (Gaurav Gill- Musa Sherif, Mitsubishi Cedia, MRF Ltd, 2000N+). 15 of 21 finished. Organiser: RRPM

    2010 INRC (Champions: Naren Kumar, Dorairaj Ram Kumar)

    Promoter: IMG-PSP; Sponsor Bharat Petroleum- Speed

    1. Nashik, Tarmac-mix (1ss gravel for a bit), June 25-27; Rally of Maharashtra (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mitsubishi Cedia, Team MRF Tyres, 2000N+). 25 of 31 cars finished.

    2. Coimbatore, Gravel, Aug 6-8; Rally of Coimbatore (Naren Kumar-D Ram Kumar, Mitsubishi Cedia, Red Rooster Racing, 2000N+). 37 of 50 cars finished.

    3. Jodhpur, Gravel, Sept 17-19; Rally of Rajasthan (Naren Kumar-D Ram Kumar, Mitsubishi Cedia, Red Rooster Racing, 2000N+). 28 of 38 cars finished.

    4. Siddlaghatta, near Bengaluru, Gravel, Dec 3-5; 36th K1000 Rally (APRC contender) (Arjun Rao Aroor-Satish Rajagopal, Mitsubishi Cedia, Team MRF Tyres, 2000N+). Only 12 of 41 cars finished.

    5. Kottayam, Asphalt, Dec 15-19; Misty Meadows Rally of Kerala (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mitsubishi Cedia, Team MRF Tyres, 2000N+). 23 of 32 cars finished.

    2009 INRC (Champions: Gaurav Singh Gill, Musa Sherif)

    Promoter: IMG-PSP; Sponsor Bharat Petroleum- Speed

    1. Coimbatore, Gravel, June 26-28; Rally of Coimbatore (Arjun Rao Aroor-Satish Rajagopal, Mitsubishi Cedia, Team MRF Tyres, 2000N+). 28 of 46 finished.

    2. Bangalore, Gravel, Aug 21-23, 35th Rally of Bangalore (Arjun Balu-Sujith Kumar, Mitsubishi Cedia, Team MRF Tyres, 2000N+). 35 of record 61 entries finished.

    3. Durgapur, near Kolkata, Gravel, Sept 18-20; Rally of Kolkata (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, MRF Ltd, 2000N+). 22 of 36 cars finished.

    4. Nashik, Asphalt, Oct 30-Nov 1; Rally of Nashik (Vikram Mathias- PVS Murthy, Mitsubishi Cedia, Red Rooster Racing, 2000N+). 21 of 27 cars finished.

    5. Chikmagalur, Gravel, Nov 20-22; Coffee Day Rally (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, MRF Ltd, 2000N+). 27 of 37 cars finished.

    2008 FMSCI INRC (Champions: Vikram Mathias, PVS Murthy)

    1. Mysore, Gravel, June 13-15; Sidvin Rally of Karnataka (Vikram Mathias- PVS Murthy, Mitsubishi Cedia, Red Rooster Racing, 2000N+) 25 of 34 cars finished.

    2. Bangalore, Asphalt, Aug 8-10; 34th K1000 Rally (Vikram Mathias-PVS Murthy, Mitsubishi Cedia, 2000N+)  27 of 52 cars finished.

    3. Cochin, Asphalt, Sept 12-14; 23. Popular Rally of Kerala (Lohitt V Urs-CM Chandramouli, Mitsubishi Cedia, 2000N+). 20 of 35 cars finished.

    4. Coimbatore, Gravel, Oct 17-19; IMG Mill and Monsoon Rally (Vikram Mathias- PVS Murthy, Mitsubishi Cedia, 2000N+) ?? cars finished.

    5. Coorg, Nov 28-30; Rally de Coorg (Vikram Mathias-PVS Murthy, Red Rooster Racing, Mitsubishi Cedia, 2000N+)

    6. Nashik, Asphalt, Dec 19-21; IMG Rally of Maharashtra (Vikram Mathias-PVS Murthy, Red Rooster Racing, Mitsubishi Cedia, 2000N+)

    Chennai, Gravel, Nov 14 to 16, 36th SIR CANCELLED

    2007 MAI INRC (Champions: Gaurav Gill, Musa Sherif)

    1. Kochin, Asphalt, March 9-11; 22nd Heera Rally, (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mitsubishi Cedia, 1600). 17 of 30 cars finished.

    2. Chikmagalur, Asphalt, May 4-6; Coffee Day Championship Rally, (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mitsubishi Cedia, Team MRF Tyres; Class 2000). 22 of 37 finished. Day 1 Report,

    3. Bangalore, Asphalt, Aug 17-19; 33rd Bosch K1000 Rally (Gaurav Gill-Musa Sherif, Mitsubishi Cedia, Team MRF Tyres – 2000). 32 of 47 cars finished.

    4. Pune, Asphalt, Nov 30-Dec 1; Rally of Maharashtra (Lohitt V Urs-Jaidas Menon, Ford Fiesta, Team MRF Tyres, 1600). 30 of 37 cars finished. Preview

    2006 MAI INRC (Champions: VR Naren Kumar, D Ram Kumar)

    1. Pune, Gravel, May 5-6; Xtra Premium Overdrive Rally of Pune (Gaurav Gill-Farooq Ahmed, Maruti Baleno, 1600). ?? out of 12 cars finished.

    2. Chikmagalur, Gravel, May 26-28; Coffee Day Championship Rally, (Naren Kumar-D Ramkumar, ???, 1600).  ?? out of 21 cars finished. Day 1 report,

    3. Coimbatore, June 9-11; Rally of Coimbatore,  CANCELLED

    3. Maddur, near Bangalore, Gravel, Aug 11-13; 32 Bosch K1000 Rally 2006 (Gaurav Gill-Farooq Ahmed, Cedia 1600 class). 31 of 46 cars finished.

    4. Chandigarh, Gravel, Nov 3-5; Power Pine Forest Rally, (Lohitt V Urs-Musa Sherif, Maruti Baleno). 19 of 35 cars finished.

    5. Goa, Asphalt, Nov 18-19; WIAA Rally de Goa, (Naren Kumar-D Ram Kumar, Mitsubishi Cedia, 1600). 29 of 35 cars finished.

    Note: Round 6 in Hyderabad, Deccan Rally from Dec 1 to 3 was CANCELLED as organisers said they would not be able to host it.

    2005 MAI INRC (Champions: VR Naren Kumar, D Ram Kumar)

    1. Meghalaya, Gravel, Mar 11-13; Rally Tura (Sandeep Sharma-Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Maruti Gypsy, Gypsy-Overall first). 9 of 16 cars finished.

    2. Mysore, gravel, May 26-29; Mysore Safari Rally (Arjun Balu-Kumar Ramaswamy, Maruti Baleno, 1600). 15 of 22 cars finished.

    3. Bangalore, Asphalt, Aug 12-14; Mico Bosch 31st K1000 Rally (Naren Kumar-D Ramkumar, Maruti Baleno, 1600). 18 of 25 cars finished.

    4. Chandigarh, Asphalt, Oct 21-23; Power M1 Challenge Rally (Naren Kumar-D Ramkumar, Maruti Baleno, 1600). 18 of 28 cars finished. Local Preview

    5. Delhi, gravel, Nov 11-13; Rally of the North, (Arjun Rao Aroor-CM Chandramouili, Baleno 1600, Team MRF tyres). Only 13 of total 40 cars finished. Preview.

    6. Cochin, Asphalt, Nov 25, to 27, -22nd Popular Rally, ???

    7. Hyderabad, Gravel, Dec 9-11; Sujana MRF Deccan Rally (Naren Kumar-D Ramkumar, Maruti Baleno, 1600). 17 of 26 cars finished. Preview.

    2004 MAI INRC (Champions: Vikram Mathias, B. Sujith Kumar)

    Awards Ceremony held on 24 January 2005

    1. Nashik, Asphalt, July 2-4: MAK Nashik Rally (Phillipos Mathai-Ashwin Naik, Esteem, 1400, Overall first) 12 cars of 14 finished.

    2. Bangalore, Asphalt, August 6-8: 30th Karnataka-1000 Rally (Naren Kumar-D Ramkumar, Baleno, Team MRF Tyres 1600) 18 of 24 cars finished.

    3. Cochin, Asphalt, August 20-22: 21st Popular Rally 2004 (Vikram Mathias- Sujith Kumar, Baleno, 1600) 15 of 20 cars finished.

    Note: Car No.1 Naren Kumar/ Ram hit a five-year-old who died immediately. After four stages, organisers decided to stop the rally.

    4. Panjim, Goa, Gravel, Sept 10-12: WIAA Rallye De Goa (Naren Kumar- D Ram Kumar, Baleno, Team MRF Tyres, 1600). 12 of 20 cars finished.

    5. Chandigarh, Gravel, October 29-31: Power M1 Challenge (Lohitt V Urs- Bonnie Thomas, Baleno, 1600). 17 of the 23 cars finished.

    6. New Delhi, Gravel, November 19-21: Maruti Suzuki India Challenge – Rally of the North (Vikram Mathias- Sujith Kumar, Baleno, 1600). 24 of 32 cars finished.

    7. Pune, Gravel, December 3-5: MRF India Rally (Lohitt V Urs-Bonnie Thomas, Baleno, 1600). 11 of 16 cars finished. A stage of 70.1km cancelled.

    2003 MAI INRC (Champions: Naren Kumar and D Ram Kumar)

    1. Chikmagalur, Asphalt, May 23-25; Coffee Day Rally, (Naren Kumar- D Ram Kumar, Honda City, Team MRF Tyres) 13/19 cars finished. Preview

    2. Nashik, Asphalt, June 6-8; MRF Taj Challenge (Naren Kumar- Musa Sherif, Honda City, MRF Tyres) 10 of 14 cars finished.

    3. Cochin, Gravel, Aug 29-31; 20th Kerala Rally (Naren Kumar – D Ram Kumar, Honda City, MRF Tyres, 1600); 13 of 17 cars finished.

    4. Chandigarh, Gravel, Sept 19-21; 1. Power M1 Challenge Rally (Naren Kumar – D Ram Kumar, Honda City, 1600); 10 of 16 cars finished. (Organiser: Motorsports One).

    5. Panjim, Goa, Gravel, Oct 31-Nov 2; WIAA Rally de Goa (Arjun Balu- Kumar Ramaswamy, Honda City, MRF Tyres, 1600) All 8 cars finished.

    6. Bangalore, Gravel, Nov 14-16; 29. Movva Rally de Bangalore 2003 (Karandip Singh- Jaidas Menon, Honda City, 1600). 11 cars of 14 finished.

    7. Pune, Gravel, Dec 5-7; MRF India Rally -APRC (Jiby Maliakkal- Nikhil Pai, Honda Civic-VTEC, 1600); 7 of 15 cars finished. Flag Off. Friday report. Saturday report.

    Coimbatore, Dec 26 to 28. NOT HELD

     (As per the calendar announced in Mumbai on 13 May 2003)

    2002 MAI INRC (Champions: Naren Kumar and D Ram Kumar)

    1. Coimbatore, Asphalt, Mar 30-31; Servo Mill and Monsoon Rally (Naren Kumar-D Ram Kumar, Honda City VTEC, Team MRF Tyres) 17 of 25 cars finished.

    Note: Organisers Spitfire Motorsports (Karthikeyan drives a Tata Indica Zero car)

    2. Nashik, Asphalt, July 5-7; WIAA Taj Nashik Rally (Naren Kumar-D Ramkumar, Honda City VTEC, 1600). 13 of 15 cars finished the rally.

    3. Panaji, Goa, Asphalt, Sept 27-29; WIAA Rallye de Goa (Naren Kumar-D Ramkumar, Team MRF Tyres, Honda City VTEC). 9 of 16 finished.

    Jiby Maliakkal- Nikhil Pai win 1400cc class.

    4. Bangalore, Asphalt, Oct 11-13; 28. Park Plaza Bangalore Rally (Naren Kumar-D Ramkumar, Honda City VTEC, 1600). 13 of 17 cars finished.

    Jiby Maliakkal-Nikhil Pai win 1400cc

    5.Bangalore, Gravel, Dec 7-8; MRF India Rally, (Arjun Balu-Kumar Ramaswamy, Team MRF Tyres, Honda City VTEC, 1600). 11 of 15 cars finished.

    2001 MAI INRC (Champion: N Leelakrishnan & Farooq Ahmed)

    (Runner-up Sagar Muthappa & Sandeep Rao)

    1. Coimbatore, Gravel, Mar 31 & Apr 1; Servo Mill Monsoon Rally, (Leelakrishnan-Farooq, Honda City)

    2. Nashik, June 8-10; Taj Rally India; (Vikram Mathias-Sujith Kumar, Esteem)

    3. Mumbai (gravel), July 6-8; Orange Monsoon Rally, (Leelakrishnan-Farooq Ahmed, Honda City)

    4. Bangalore, Aug 10-12; 27th K1000 Rally (Karandeep Singh-Jaidas Menon, Maruti Baleno)

    5. Goa, Sept 7-9; Gravel, Old Anchor Rally de Goa, (Naren Kumar-Ram Kumar, Honda City) 15 out of 18 cars finished.

    6. Coorg, Sept 28-30; Coorg Xpresso Rally, (Sagar Muthappa-Sandeep Rao, Honda City)

    7. Cochin, (Asphalt) Oct 26-28; 19th Chandrika Soap Popular Rally 2001 (Sagar Muthappa-Sandeep Rao, Honda City VTec 1600cc) 12 of 17 cars finished.

    8. Mangalore (Asphalt), Nov 24, 25, Coffee Day Action Rally, (Karandeep Singh-Jaidas Menon, Maruti Esteem) 14 of 18 cars finished.

    2000 FMSCI/MAI INRC (Champion: VR Naren Kumar, D Ram Kumar)

    1*. Calcutta, April 28-29; Birla Tyres Wild Run Rally – PG Abhilash-Yogesh Gupta

    2*. Chennai, July 28-30; 36th South India Rally 2000 (Vicky Chandhok-Sandeep Lal, Mitsubishi Lancer (lancer debut) JK Tyre team) 11 of the 19 cars finished the rally.

    *Note: Conducted by FMSCI, so does not show in the MAI calendar. MAI came into existence as FIA ASN on April 5.

    MAI Official National Rounds

    1. Mumbai, Gravel, Aug 4-6; WIAA Monsoon Rally, (Naren Kumar-D Ram Kumar, Esteem)

    2. Pune, Gravel, Sept 1-3; Para-HRA Monsoon Rally of Pune 2000 (Leelakrishnan-Farooq Ahmed, Esteem)

    3. Goa, Gravel, Sept 22-24; Rally de Goa, (Arjun Balu -Kumar Ramasamy, Esteem)

    4. Coorg, Asphalt, October 13-15, Rally of Coorg, (Naren Kumar-D Ram Kumar, Esteem)

    5. Kerala, Asphalt, Nov 3 to 5; 18th Popular Rally, (Arjun Balu -Kumar Ramasamy, Esteem) 9 of 12 cars finished.

    6. Coimbatore, Gravel, Nov 24-26, Rally of Coimbatore, ??

    7. Bangalore, Gravel, Dec 15-17, 26th K1000 Rally, ??

    INRC FMSCI 1999 (Champions: VR Naren Kumar, Farooq Ahmed)

    1. Durgapur, Gravel, March 31-Apr 4; 5 Birla Tyres EMSA Wild Run Rally (Hari Singh-Gurinder Singh Mann, Esteem)

    2. Nashik, Asphalt, June 3-6; Nasa Challenge Rally, (Leelakrishnan- Farooq Ahmed, Esteem)

    3. Madras, Gravel, July 9-12; 35th South India Rally, (Arjun Balu- Kumar Ramaswamy, Esteem)

    4. Bangalore, Gravel, Aug 11-15; 25th Karnataka 1000 Rally (Hari Singh-Gurinder Singh Mann, Esteem)

    5. Cochin, Asphalt, Sept 16-20; 17th Popular Rally, (Naren Kumar-D Ram Kumar, Esteem- MRF). Organiser: KASC

    6. Coimbatore, Gravel, Oct 7-11; 17th Cotton City Rally, (Naren Kumar-D Ram Kumar, Esteem- MRF)

    7. Bangalore, Asphalt, Nov 11-14, 17th Rally d’ Endurance (Karamjit Singh- Jagdev Singh, JK Tyres Rally team, Esteem). Organiser: IASC

    8. Hyderabad, Gravel, Dec 10-13, 14th Deccan Rally, (Arjun Balu- Kumar Ramaswamy, Esteem). Organiser: APMSC, Secunderabad.

    INRC 1998 (FMSCI) (Drivers’ Champ: N Leelakrishnan; Navigators’ champ: Farooq Ahmed)

    Driver’s Championship standings; Navigators’ Final Standings

    1. Nashik, Gravel, May 8-10; Castrol Challenge, (N Leelakrishnan-Chander MK, Esteem)

    2. Madras, Gravel, July 3-6; 34th South India Rally (SIR), (Hari Singh-Gurinder Singh Mann, Esteem). Only 13 of the 28 cars finished the rally.

    3. Bangalore, Gravel, Aug 11-14; 24th Castrol Kar1000 Rally, (Leelakrishnan -Farooq Ahmed, Esteem) 15 of 28 cars finished. Winner time: 1:38:43.

    4. Cochin, Gravel, Sept 11-14; 16th Popular Rally, (Manik Raiky- Vivek Ponnusamy, Esteem)

    5. Coimbatore, Gravel, Oct 9-12; 16th Castrol Cotton City Rally, (Naren Kumar-Chander MK, Esteem)

    6. Coorg, Gravel, Nov 11-13; 16th Rally d Endurance, (Naren Kumar-Chander MK, Esteem) 10 of 23 cars finished.

    7. Hyderabad, Gravel, Dec 5-7, Castrol Deccan Rally, (Dicky Upkar Gill- Aditya Singh, Esteem)

    8. Jaipur, Gravel, Dec 25-28, Castrol Desert Rally (Hari Singh-Gurinder Singh Mann, Esteem).

    INRC 1997 (fmsci) (Champions: Hari Singh, Gurinder Singh Mann)

    1. Nashik, Gravel, May 2-5; Castrol Challenge Rally 97 (Thirumal Roy- Amita Roy, Esteem)

    2. Coimbatore, Gravel, May 23-27;  15th Scissors Action Rally, (Sanjay Agarwal-Shivu Shivappa, Esteem)

    3. Chennai, Gravel, July 11-13; 33rd Castrol SIR 1997 (Dicky Upkar Gill- Manish Kapur, Esteem)

    4. Bangalore, Asphalt, Aug 12-14; The Club 23rd Karnataka 1000 Rally, (Hari Singh- Gurinder Singh Mann, Esteem)

    5. Cochin, Asphalt, Sep 13-14; 15th Popular Rally (Naren Kumar-Chander MK, Esteem)

    6. Simla, Gravel, Oct 3-6, Castrol Mountain Challenge, (Hari Singh-Gurinder Singh Mann, Esteem)

    7. Bangalore, Gravel, Nov 6-9, Castrol Rally d’Endurance (Hari Singh-Gurinder Singh Mann, Esteem)

    8. Hyderabad?, Gravel, Dec 6-8, Castrol Deccan Rally, (Naren Kumar-Ram Kumar, Esteem)

    INRC fmsci 1996 (Champions: Hari Singh, Gurinder Singh Mann)

    1. Nashik, Gravel, Jan 6-7; Castrol Challenge Rally (Farad Batheena- Farooqh Commissariat, Gypsy) 12 of 24 cars finished. Winner time: 1:57:16;

    2. Coimbatore, Gravel, June 1-3, 14th Scissors Action Rally (Sanjay Agarwal-Shivu Shivappa, Esteem) 9 out of 10 cars finished.

    3. Madras, Gravel, July 12-14; 32nd Castrol South India Rally (Majithia-CDR Chowdary, Esteem) 11 of 28 cars finished

    4. Bangalore, Asphalt, Aug 11-13, 22nd Karnataka 1000 Rally, (Samir Thapar-Rahul Rao Koka, Esteem) 28 of 35 cars finished.

    5. Cochin, Gravel, Sept 13-16; 14th Popular Rally (Hari Singh-Gurinder Singh Mann, Esteem). 17 of 29 cars finished.

    6. Delhi, gravel, Oct 11-14; Castrol Mountain Challenge, (Hari Singh-Gurinder Mann, Esteem). 15 of 26 cars finished.

    7. Coorg (Madikeri), Gravel, Nov 7-10; 14th Castrol Rally de Endurance, (Bikram Singh Majithia-Vijayant Chowdhry). 13 cars finished.

    8. Hyderabad, Gravel, Dec 6-8; Castrol Deccan Rally (Naren-??, Esteem)

    9. Bombay, Asphalt, Dec 27-29; Masa Rally (???)

    INRC 1995 (Champions: Hari Singh, Gurinder Singh Mann)

    1. Nashik, Gravel, April 7-8; Castrol Challenge Rally, (Hari Singh -Gurinder Mann gypsy); 20 out of 25 cars finished.

    2. Coimbatore, Gravel, May 27-29; 13 Scissors Action Rally, (Leelakrishnan-Farooq Ahmed, Esteem)

    3. Madras, Gravel, July 6-8; 31st Castrol South India Rally (Hari Singh- Gurinder Singh Mann Gypsy)

    4. Bombay, Gravel, June 21-23; Castrol Masa Rally, (Majithia-Aditya Singh, Gypsy)

    5. Bangalore, Gravel, Aug 12-14; BPL 21st K1000 Rally (Naren Kumar-Chander MK Esteem)

    6. Cochin, Asphalt, Sept 16-17, 13th Castrol Popular Rally, (Majithia-Aditya Singh, Gypsy) 26 of 37 cars finished.

    7. Delhi, Asphalt, Oct 14-15; Castrol Mountain Challenge, (Hari-Gurinder Gypsy)

    8. Bangalore, Asphalt, Nov 11-12, Castrol Rally de Endurance, (Hari-Gurinder Gypsy)

    9. Hyd?? Gravel, Dec 2-3, Castrol Deccan Rally (Hari-Gurinder Gypsy)

    INRC 1994 (Champions: Hari Singh, Gurinder Singh Mann)

    (To be completed)

    1?. Madras, 30th South India Rally, ??

    2?. Coimbatore, Cotton City Rally, ??

    3?. Bombay, ?? MASA Rally, (Jagat Nanjappa-Anita Nanjappa)

    4?. Cochin, Sept 12-15; 12th Popular Rally (Hari Singh and GS Mann, Gypsy)

    5?. Bangalore, 20th Scissors K1000 Rally, (N Leelakrishnan and Farooq Ahmed, Gypsy, Team MRF) (Naren Kumar-??? won Group N) (Shyam Kothari & C Patil won 2w K1000)

    6?.Deccan Rally, Dec 1, Gravel, *(Gurmeher Singh-??? Gypsy)

    INRC 1993 (Champions: N Leelakrishnan, N Mahindran or Farokh Commissariat)

    1?. Kodaikanal, Castrol 29th SIR (N Leelakrishnan-N Mahindran, Gypsy)

    2?. Bombay, MASA Rally, (2W winners: Jagat Nanjappa-Anita Nanjappa)

    3?. Bangalore, Aug 14-15; 19th Scissors Karnataka 1000 (Team Paarel, Vinil Varghese and Anil Devaraj)

    4?. Cochin, Sept 17-19; 11th Popular Rally (For Castrol FIRD and FIRR Championship) (Farad Bathena, Farooq Commissariat, Team MRF)

    5?. Coimbatore, Cotton Rally

    6. Hyderabad, 11th Charminar Challenge Car Rally, (N Leelakrishnan, Farooq Ahmed, Team MRF)

    INRC 1992 (Champions*: N Leelakrishnan, N Mahindran)

    Leela had ten wins in 92-93

    1. Coimbatore, 4 May 1992, Scissors Action Rally (Overall first: N Leelakrishnan/ P Vivekanand, Team MRF) Bikes: (Jagat Nanjappa- Anita Nanjappa)

    2. Kodaikanal, 13 July 1992; 28th South India Rally (N Leelakrishnan/ R Mahendran, Team MRF)

    3. Bangalore, 15 Aug 1992; K 1000 Rally, (N Leelakrishnan/ R Mahendran, Team MRF)

    4. Cochin, Sept 18-20; 10th Popular Rally, (Leelakrishnan, R Mahendran, Gypsy), organisers: Kerala Auto Sports Club (KASC).

    5. Bangalore, 17 Oct 1992: McDowell Rally de Endurance (Nikhil Taneja/ Askif Haidari) or (Hari Singh, GS Mann) – to be confirmed

    *Note: There was a tie between Leelakrishnan-Mahendran and Farad Bathena-Farookh Commissariat, and Leela-Mahendran won the tie-breaker.

    INRC 1991 (Champions: N Leelakrishnan, N Mahindran)

    1. Coimbatore, Gravel, June 21-23, Cotton City Rally, (Leelakrishnan-Jose, Gypsy)

    2. Kodaikanal, Gravel, July 13, 27th South India Rally,  (Farad Bathena- Farookh Commissariat, Gypsy) 9 of 15 cars finished.

    3. Tumkur, near Bangalore, Gravel, Aug 12-13, Rally de’ Endurance, K1000, (Leelakrishnan-Mahendran or GVL Gopal, Gypsy)

    4. ??? – Gravel, Sept 20-21, McDowell Rally, (Farad Batheena-?? Gypsy)

    5. Bombay, Gravel, Oct 5-7, Castrol Rally, (Leelakrishnan-??, Gypsy)

    6. Hyderabad, Gravel, Dec 7-9, Charminar Challenge, (Leelakrishnan-?? Gypsy)

    INRC 1990 (Champions: N Leelakrishnan, CF Jaykumar)

    (To be completed)

    1?. Madras, 26th South India Rally ??

    2?. Bangalore, 16th K1000 Rally, Leelakrishnan, Mahendran, Gypsy Team MRF

    3?. Coimbatore, Cotton City Rally ??

    4?. Hyderabad, Charminar Challenge ??

    INRC 1989 (Champions: Farad Bathena, Raj Bagri) (To be completed)

    1. Bangalore, Rally de Endurance, Farad Bathena/ Farooq Commissariat

    2. Madras, 25th? South India Rally (Farad Bathena- Raj Kumar Bagri, Team MRF, Gypsy)

    3. Bangalore, 15th K1000 Rally, (Harish Samtani/ Rajiv Choudhry, Gypsy, Team MRF)

    3?. Coimbatore, Cotton City Rally ??

    4?. Hyderabad, Charminar Challenge ?? (Ashok Rao Aroor?)

    INRC 1988 (Champions: Farad Batheena, Raj Bagri) (To be completed)

    1. Coimbatore, Gravel, Scissors Master Action Rally  (L Gopoalakrishnan-R Mahendran, Maruti 800, Group A(II) Ind)

    2. Great Desert Rally, Farad Bathena/ Raj Kumar Bagri

    3. Kodaikanal, 24th South India Rally, Farad Bathena/Raj Kumar Bagri (Team MRF)

    4. Karavalli, Karavalli Rally, George Anthony (Team MRF)

    5. Mumbai, MASA Rally, Farad Bathena

    6. Cochin, July 29-31; 6th Popular Rally; (George Anthony, Jose Anthony, Jiju Elias Paarel, Roy)

    7. Bangalore, 14th K1000 Rally (Indian category) Kamlesh Patel, KD Madan, 118 NE.

    8. Great Himalayan Rally (Nikhil Taneja/ Sandeep Lal) Team MRF

    8. Great Desert Rally (Motorycycles), Jagat Nanjappa/ Anita Nanjappa, Team MRF

    9?. Hyderabad, Dec ??; 5th Charminar Challenge ??

    Rallies in 1987* (Champions: N Leelakrishnan, CV Jayakumar)

    1. Rally de Endurance, July 1987, Vicky Bharat Chandhok and Manoj Dalal.
    2. Cochin, 24-25 July 1987, 5th 1000-km Popular Rally,
    3. Bangalore, August 1987, Karnataka 1000, Kamlesh Patel/ KD Madan, Team MRF.
    4. Madras, September 1987, 23th South India Rally, MS Zachariah/ Jagdish Bhatia, Team MRF.
    5. Coimbatore, October 1987, Scissors Action Rally, Subash Chandra
    6. ???, November 1987, Great Himalayan Rally, Nikhil Taneja/ Manjeev Singh Bhalla, Team MRF. (To be confirmed if this round is part of National championship)
    7. Chikmagalur, Nov 1987, Coffee 500, N Leelakrishnan/CV Jayakumar.
    8. Hyderabad, December 1987, 4th Charminar Challenge, N Leelakrishnan/CV Jayakumar.

    *Status of National Championship was not confirmed in 1988

    ends/17apr2020/last updated 2mar2021 11pm; to be updated…

  • Leelakrishnan bags driver’s championship for 1998

    FMSCI Drivers’ Championship Final Standings for year 1998

    Madras, 15 January 1999: The National Rally Drivers Championship was won by N Leelakrishnan of Coimbatore with 115 points after he took part in six of the eight-leg calendar in 1998. Arjun Balu of Coimbatore was second with 80.25 points followed by B Sagar Muthappa of Bangalore on third with 72 points. Following is the official Standings released by FMSCI today.

    Overall Drivers
    Posn.NameNASAMMSCKMSCKASCCCASCIASCAPMSCPCRTTotal
    1N. Leelakrishnan20.0010.0025.0015.0022.5022.50  115.00
    2Arjun Balu6.0018.7518.75  18.0018.75 80.25
    3B. Sagar Muthappa 15.0015.0012.0015.0015.00  72.00
    4V.R. Naren Kumar    30.0030.00  60.00
    5Jagat Nanjappa 7.5012.50 12.009.0015.00 56.00
    6Hari Singh 25.00  1.50  20.0046.50
    7Nikhil Taneja10.00  6.0018.00  12.0046.00
    8Upkar Dicky Gill15.00     25.00 40.00
    9Karandeep Singh Sandhu  7.5010.006.0012.00  35.50
     Navaz Bhathena3.00 2.508.00 6.0010.006.0035.50
    11Manik Raikhy  10.0020.00    30.00
    12B.S. Pruthvi 5.005.004.009.00   23.00
    13Nihar Modi 2.50 2.00  12.50 17.00
    14V. Ram Narayan12.00 3.75     15.75
    15Satkiran P.S. Hara       15.0015.00
    16Satish Bhat1.0012.50      13.50
    17Sandeep Sharma       10.0010.00
    18Ravi Jouhari2.00  3.004.50   9.50
    19Farad Bhathena8.00 1.25     9.25
    20Sanjay Sikand       8.008.00
    21P.G. Abilash4.003.75      7.75
    22George Antony      7.50 7.50
    23R. Thiagarajan      5.00 5.00
    24V. Thiagarajan     4.50  4.50
    25Homi D. Dhunjibhoy     1.502.50 4.00
    26N.K. Ramesh   1.00 3.00  4.00
     Aniruddha Jain       4.004.00
    28D. Shriram      3.75 3.75
    29Vijayant Chaudhry    3.00   3.00
    30Harish Samtani 1.25      1.25

    Last Updated on 1/15/99 on FMSCI Infomot
    By V.S. SHRIAKANT

  • Hari Singh-GS Mann win Desert Rally; Leela-Farooq clinch National Championship

    Jaipur, 28 Dec 1998: Defending National Champion Hari Singh and co-driver Gurinder Singh Mann of JK Tyres Rally Team chalked out a facile win to take the Overall honours in the Castrol Desert Rally, the eighth and final round of the Castrol National Rally Championship which concluded here on Sunday.

    The four-time National Champions, Hari Singh and GS Mann, were followed in second place by teammates Satkiran Pal Singh and co-driver CK Chinappa while Nikhil Taneja and navigator Sandeep Lal finished the podium sweep by JK Tyres taking the third spot in the Overall honours. While Hari and Mann also won the Group A Modified Cars class, Satkiran and Chinnappa clinched the victory in the Group N Unmodified class in the final round.

    Team MRF, who already sealed all the top spots in the National Championship did not take part in the rally. N Leelakrishnan and co-driver Farooq Ahmed stopped the juggernaut of Hari Singh and won the championship despite not taking part in this rally. Thus the four sucessive wins of Hari Singh came to a halt. It was Hari Singh who stopped the winning run of Leelakrishnan in 1994, after Leela won four titles in a row. So it was a sweet revenge for Coimbatore driver, who regained the National title. However, it is navigator Farooq Ahmed who gave the calls to Leela this year and also bagged his maiden Navigators’ National Championship.

    A BADLY ORGANISED RALLY – Report by George Francis/Scorp News

    `Torture’ and `tiring’ were the two words uppermost in the minds of the motley crowd of rallyists who took the Desert Challenge. Set on sandy terrain on the river beds of Rajasthan, the Desert Challenge was badly wanting in organisational skill.

    The reconnaissance trip ofr the Desert Challenge was fixed on Christmas Eve. Six Maruti Esteems, one Maruti 1000, and five Maruti Gypsys totalled the 12 competing four-wheelers, while 16 Suzuki Shoguns, 11 RX-100s three RXG-135s, two KB-125s and one TVS Supra made up the 33 two-wheelers.

    While the fog of Jaipur put the fear into the rallyists, they took the recee to be the rally itself and were reportedly speeding as they liked, forgetting that they were in an organised recee, where they are supposed to travel in single file. The tiring day ended at 7 pm when they returned to Jaipur.

    Among the participants were very few well-known names. The best were Hari Singh and Gurinder Singh Mann, National Champion Driver and Navigator from 1994 to 1997, driving for JK Tyres. Next came Nikhil Taneja and Sandeep Lal, Group N National Champions for JK Tyres in 1996, to be followed by JK Tyres sponsored BS Pruthvi and Shivu Shivappa, the most consistent performers this year. Navaz Bathena and Anita Nanjappa were driving for Team Chettinad Sporting, the new non-automobile (business) team that’s come in from 1997. The young turks of Hyderabad, Nihar Kiran Mody and Nikhil V Pai and the JK Tyresw sponsored Satkiran Pal Singh and CK Chinappa were also there. Six privateers, some of them entering for the first time in a National event, were also in the fray. Mention should be made of the father and son team of N Bhasin and Vinod Bhasin, who were in the Maruti 1000. Indian Oil had sponsored this team.

    Among the two-wheeler riders Kunal Singh was the most well-known. Incidentally, he is a Jaipurian. Kunal, who has been in the circuit for the past two years, had not taken part in any rally this year due to an appendicitis operation. Vikram Singh from Thane, running second in the Group D Castrol National Rally Championship and D Udayakumar of Bangalore, running third were the other well-known entrants. But, on pre-event scrutiny day D Udayakumar had a mishap and ended up in hospital with leg injuries. The giant, Team MRF Tyres, was conspicuous by its absence.

    Performance Cars Racing Trust was the organiser of this rally, the final round of the Castrol National Rally Championship. None of the Championship top spots were open, Team MRF Tyres having sealed the various classes, and overall placings, except Group D Bikes un-modified class which was take by Paritosh Kohok.

    Even before the rally started, the first Special Stage, Labana-Tel Mod, was cancelled due to refusal of permission by the State Government.

    There were now five stages to be run, namely Kalighatti to Armada, Gugli Mod, Shiv Mandir to Hanuman Mandir, Hanuman Mandir to Dhaull, and Van Vibhag to Barrage. These five stages set on the river beds on the sides of the Jaipur-Delhi highway, were to be run twice in the same direction except the first one which was run in the opposite direction when the rallyists ran throught the second time. This was on Day 1.

    On Day 2, all the stages were to be run once, except the first stage, which was run in the opposite direction once more. In effect, in the two days 290.63km of transport and 125.13km of Special Stage distance, totalling to 415.76km were to be run. The maximum average speed expected was 42.45kmph, while the least was 9.91kmph.

    When the rallyists arrived at Kalighatti, Hari Singh, who was flagged off first, had enough time to go into the stage in a tractor and confirm, that the sand was too dense. Navaz Bathena had remarked, “if anyone can go through the first kilometre in the stage, then they can finish the rally.” The organisers, who heard the Esteem drivers’ pleas, shifted the start Time Control (TC) to firmer ground. But, when the actual rally began, photographers had hell. Cars and motorcycles came from all directions and one had to repeatedly take evasive action. For the first time in a Special Stage rally, the route was not marked by tapes, and other vehicles moved around freely. Even Children were seen playing an flying kites on the route. “We saw a dozen kids playing on the stage hardly metres away from us. My driver, Nihar, asked me what to do. I said keep going and honking, they should move. Say your prayers first,” said Nikhil Pai.

    “The problem of driving in sand is to keep going with the pace. If one stops, they will get bogged down,” said Satpal Kiran Singh of JK Tyres.

    “Only if you are in four-wheel drive, could you go peacefully,” said Chinnappa, Satpal’s navigator. With 14 tractors creating havoc on stage one (some of them trying to race with the competing cars), the rally had to be stopped and delayed many a time.

    The last two stages were cancelled for bikes, for want of time. Shramik Masturlal, the FMSCI president and the Chief Steward, C Sridhar, the FMSCI Observer, and other stewards felt that the rally should not be continued on the second day, if the organisers did not arrange for safe running.

    Things were better on the second day as police were seen at all stages, blocking the route for local vehicles. The marshals too, were better informed about their jobs.

    The major dropouts during the rally were BS Pruthvi of JK Tyres, who blew his Esteem’s Engine, Nihar Kiran Modi, who found one of his Esteem’s wheels coming off, and Vikram Singh, who found his Shogun chain giving way.

    There were two protests, one in the cars’ section and one among the bikes. Nawaz Bathena had porotested that one of the Gypsy entrants had missed a Time Control and checked into the next. The other protest was against Kunal Singh who used MRF Train Tyres. Many competitors felt that the tyres were not available in the open market.

    Nawaz’s protest was turned down. But Kunal was given his prize, and told that the availability of Trail Tyres would be checked with MRF Limited and if they were not available, he would have to forgo his prize.

    “These tyres are available freely, at least in the Southern part of India. These are production tyres, and I was riding a TVS Suzuki factory-prepared machine (shogun). TSL had put the tyres, which they bought from Bangalore,” said Kunal. TVS Suzuki tuner Rajaram said: “Two championship events have been won on these tyres. In 1997, Amar Sandhu, used it, and this year we used it in the Cotton City Rally at Coimbatore. Jagat Nanjappa has been using it for two years. Last year’s Championship was won on MRF Trail Tyres. We have been using it for a long time.”

    The results of the Desert Challenge were as expected, that is if one discounted the ones who pulled out due to mechanical problems. JK Tyres’ Hari Singh and Gurinder Singh Mann won the rally Overall and topped the Group A Modified cars section hands down. Behind them were teammates Satpal Kiran Singh and CK Chinappa in a Group N unmodified car, winning the group and placing second Overall. Third placed was again a JK Tyre Team, Nikhil Taneja and Saneep Lal. One JK Tyres car did not finish the event.

    Kunal Singh won the Group C modified bike class and the Overall top spot. The second-placed in Group C was Anil Gautam, Secretary of the SAAHAS (Society for Adventure Awareness, Humanity and Automobile Sports) in Jaipur. Amar Dev Singh was third. It is interesting to note that all the three (the only ones who finished in the group) were on Suzuki Shoguns.

    Mohan Lal Sharma finished second overall and first in Group D unmodified bikes class. PS Jasana and Capt VK Bhatti finished second and third, respectively.

    Asked about his victory and the rally, Hari Singh, who runs an adventure tourism business in Chandigarh said: “I am happy but thank God, the rally is over.”

    Satpal Kiran Singh said: “It was  a real torture. I am happy that I won, and this my first major victory.” Satpal, who runs a real estate business, and a farm on the outskirts of Ludhiana, entered rallying only a year back. This year he did not take part in the earlier rallys due to a wrist injury.

    Kunal Singh, who runs a hotel inJaipur, and als deals in jewellery, was a happy man. He said: “I have been waiting for this for a long time. It definitely gives one an advantage to rally in his or her hometown. I was also fortunate to get a works prepared Suzuki Shogun Bike. I thank my tuner Rajaram and KS Motors, Jaipur, who have been supporting me for the past three years. They used to prepare my bike and give me six to seven thousand rupees for every event, which would cover a part of my expenses. I would have relished this victory more, if I could competition from the MRF bikers. The only thing I could do was to compete wit the Group A modified cars, to give myself some competition. After the two legs, I have finished at least eight minuts ahead of Hari’s timings. This is the first time any Group C bike has finished a rally ahead of Group A Overall car. This is taking into account only the stages run by cars and bikes, and dropping the stages which only cars ran.” When one checks the time chart, out of 14 stages (eight on Day 1 and six on Day 2) run by both cars and bikes, Kunal has been faster than Hari Singh in 10 stages.

    Mohanlal Sharma, the Group D winner, is another Jaipurian. He makes bearings. “I have been in rallying or the past three years, doing local rallys. I am keen on coming for the other events but there is no sponsorship,” he lamented.

    Team Avalanche from Shimla came with a sponsorship from Indian Oil. Six riders on Suzuki Shoguns, Yamahas, Supra and KB-125, formed the team, and for the first time a KB finished a National event. The team of young enthusiasts have applied for affiliation of their club to the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) and plan many events in Shimla. They have already organised a dirt race only for Shimla riders last October. They got 25 entrants and a massive crowd for the event.

    It is interesting to note that only one car driver, two bikers, and one navigator have done all the rallys that constitute the Castrol National Rally Championship for Cars and Motorcycles, 1998. Navaz Bathena of Team Chettinad Sporting, and Anita Nanjappa (who also navigates for her husband Jagat Nanjappa in an MRF sponsored car) her navigator in the Desert Challenge are the driver and navigator. Vikram Singh (who pulled out due to chain problems) and D Udayakumar, who entered, but could not start the rally, due to the road accident, are the bikers. It is high time that FMSCI brings in a rule, that all competitors who want to be eligible for the National Rally Championship, should participate in all the rallys. This will ensure that the organisers of the final few rallys of the year are not taken for a ride.

    This year, the Castrol Deccan Rally suffered with JK Tyre not participating, and the Castrol Desert Challenge suffered from the absence of Team MRF.

    The PCRT should be pulled up for not making the route, as is the rule in Special Stage Rallys, for not ensuring Zero Traffic in stages, and for the errors in the Tulip Chart given to run the event. They should be lauded for locating new rallying terrain, but not disclosing the surface to the competitors before the races (because it is totally new and different) had created problems. Many would have come better prepared, if they knew that they were to go through thick sand. The race also should have been run to regulations, ensuring that no competitor speeded up. In fact, it is reported that Tutu Dhawan, the chief of the organisers, had announced that if anyone could not make it to the organised recee or went off route, they could do it the same evening. When one of the service team members pointed out that when there is an organised reccee, no practice is allowed later, Dhawan corrected himself. One major fact seems clear. The PCRT does not seem to know the dos and don’ts of Special Stage Rallying. It is still in the age of Competitive Stage Rallys.

    Looking back at the rallys of 1998, Castrol Cotton City seems to have been the best, taking into account the routing, perfection in timing, the service park provided with equipment and media support.

    Provisional Results Cars:

    Overall: 1. Hari Singh/GS Mann (JK Tyres Rally Team) (2hours, 11minutes, 50seconds); 2. Satkiran Pal Singh/ CK Chinappa (JK Tyres Rally Team) (2:23:49); 3. Nikhil Taneja/Sandeep Lal (JK Tyres Rally Team) (2:34:42); 4. Sandeep Sharma/Kulbir S Daliwal (3:11:38); 5. Navaz Batheena/ Anita Nanjappa (Team Chettinad Sporting) (3:17:09).

    Group A Modified Cars: 1. Hari Singh/GS Mann (JK Tyres Rally Team) (2:11:50); 2. Nikhil Taneja/Sandeep Lal (JK Tyres Rally Team) (2:34:42);

    Group N Unmodified Cars: 1. Satkiran Pal Singh/ CK Chinappa (JK Tyres Rally Team) (2:23:49); 2. Sandeep Sharma/Kulbir S Daliwal (3:11:38); 3. Navaz Batheena/ Anita Nanjappa (Team Chettinad Sporting) (3:17:09).

    Castrol National Rally Championship for Cars -1998: Final Standings:

    Overall – Drivers

    1.  N Leelakrishnan (Team MRF) 115 points;

    2. Arjun Balu (Team MRF) 80.25 points;

    3. Sagar Muthappa (Team MRF) 72 points;

    4. Naren Kumar (Team MRF) 60 points;

    5. Jagat Nanjappa (Team MRF) 48.5 points.

    Overall – Navigators

    1. Farooq Ahmed(Team MRF) 95 points;

    2. KR Kumar (Team MRF) 80.25 points;

    3. MK Chander (Team MRF) 80 points;

    4. Sandeep S Rao (Team MRF) 72 points;

    5. Anita Nanjappa (Team MRF) 56 points.

    Group A – Drivers

    1. N. Leelakrishnan (Team MRF) 62 points;

    2. Arjun Balu (Team MRF) 44 points;

    3. Naren Kumar (Team MRF) 34 points;

    4. Hari Singh (Team JK Tyres) 32.5 points;

    5. Nikhil Tanjeja (Team JK Tyres) 29 points.

    Group A – Navigators

    1. Farooq Ahmed (Team MRF) 52 points;

    2. MK Chander (Team MRF) 44 points;

    3. KR Kumar (Team MRF) 44 points;

    4. Gurinder Singh Mann (Team JK Tyre) 32.5 points;

    5. Sandeep Lal (Team JK Tyre) 29 points.

    Group N -Drivers

    1. Sagar Muthappa (Team MRF) 65 points;

    2. Jagat Nanjappa (Team MRF) 51 points;

    3. Navaz Batheena (Chettinad Sporting) 37 points;

    4. Karandeep Singh (Team MRF) 36.5 points;

    5. Nihar Kiran Modi 19 points.

    Group N – Navigators

    1. Sandeep S Rao (Team MRF) 65 points;

    2. Anita Nanjappa (Team MRF) 57 points;

    3. Jaidas Menon (Team MRF) 36.5 points;

    4. Sherin Balachander (Chettinad Sporting) 21 points;

    5. Deepak Jouhari (Birla Tyres) 16.5 points.

  • Naren-Chander win Cotton City Rally

    By George Francis/Scorp News

    Coimbatore, 12 October 1998: Talented local youngster and strong contender VR Naren Kumar along with another local lad, MK Chander, calling the pace notes, conquered the Castrol Cotton City Rally 1998 brushing aside the challenge from four-time National champion Leelakrishnan and co-driver Farooq Ahmed, here on Sunday.

    The Coimbatore duo became the fourth different winners in this year’s Castrol National Rally Championship for cars winning the fifth round of the eight-round National Championship. Leelakrishnan leads the table with two overall wins.

    Sagar Muthappa and navigator Sandeep S Rao, who won Group N in Coimbatore on Sunday. Photo by George Francis/ Scorp News
    Sagar Muthappa and navigator Sandeep S Rao, who won Group N in Coimbatore on Sunday. Photo by George Francis/ Scorp News

    But the story of the day, are the Limited slip differentials, Leela’s gear boxes and magical suspensions turned the Red Cars into winners in the Castrol Cotton City Rally here. Team MRF won the top two spots but it was not the famed Leelakrishnan on the top. The expert driver and tuner had to play second fiddle to Naren Kumar for once, as the youngster put in a determined performance to take the first win of the season.

    Team JK Tyre which brought in veteran Niaz Ali (co-driver Vivekanandan) and Vicky Chandhok (navigator Manoj Dalal) to increase the pressure on Sagar Muthappa had to bite the dust. Both veterans, who led initially had to pull out due to a roll and mechanical problems, respectively. Sagar Muthappa finished fourth Overall while another Team MRF driver Jagat Nanjappa with his wife Anita as co-driver, finished fifth overall.

    Riding the crest of success, Team Red finished first and second in Group A modified Class and took all the top-four placings in the Group N unmodified Class.

    In the two-wheeler category, too, Team Red took the first four placings overall, and similar positions in Group C modified class. Only in Group D unmodified class was there a non-MRF winner.

    The Coimbatore Auto Sports Club (CASC), well known for its organisational skills and riding high on a 1.5 coefficient in the championship points in the Castrol National Rally Championship, 1998, had moved away from its long-time sponsor ITC. Castrol stepped in as the sponsor. CASC, which had a hell of a problem last year in running the Special Stages at Palladam, about 40km from here, ensured the stages were planned out well this time and allowed an organised reconnaissance to help build the competitors’ confidence.

    All the top rallyists were there, with only three newcomers in Niaz Ali of Team JK, Lt.Col. Sukhinder Singh Sekhon and Vijayant Chaudhry of Team MRF. The 40-year old Niaz, who rallied in India until 1986, when he won the Rallye de Endurance Overall top spot, is now an Australian citizen and was offered a drive by Team JK Tyre in this event. “I always wanted to be back in this country rallying, and here I am,” better known as brother of former Miss India, Nafisa Ali. Niaz who rallied in Australia now, has won the Western Australia sprint (1300cc, Group N stock) in a Suzuki Swift and placed second in Rally Australia (World championship) in the Group N Class. That he had a clear advantage over the others in the speeds touched in rallying, was very clear. Ponnusamy Vivekanandan, another Indian settled in Australia and who navigated JK Tyres’ Manik Raikhy to Overall victory in the Popular Rally last month, was Niaz’s navigator.

    Vijayant Chaudhry, a former JK navigator and now in Team MRF is the only navigator turned driver among the current breed. Lieutenant Colonel Sukhinder Singh Sekhon, who used to navigate for Team JK driver Kulbir Singh Chauhan, also from the Regiment of Artillery, was in the red shirts, navigating for Vijayant.

    The entry of `Pacer Yamaha’ into the rallying circuit with 135 bikes had robbed Team Nanjappas of K Prasad, and put the pressure on Zen Rallying and TVS-Suzuki factory bikes. But their cornering ability was to stand the Suzukis in good stead. In their bid to find a new performer, Suzuki put Amol Talpade, the 1997 Group D National Champion and Mazadayar Vatcha of Pune on Suzuki Shaolins. Zubin Patel and Amar Sandhu of Team MRF were on factory supported Suzuki Shoguns. Team Pacer Yamaha, seemed to have done their homework well, roping in MRF’s Rohitaaz Kumar, K Prasad and RH Vikram along with Srinivas and Nipender Jassy, two die-hard youngsters.

    The Cotton City Challenge was two-day event, run over 570km, of which 140km made up 14 Special Stages. A basic three stages with enough run-off area, were repeated to run seven stages on day one and two. The presence of Team JK and Team MRF, after two years of boycotting the CASC rally due to various reasons, put the spirit back into the Cotton City Challenge.

    Fifty-nine motorcycles and 28 cars were flagged off into a 90-minute transport section to reach the Special Stages on the Udumalaipet road. Set among windmill farms three Special Stages were in the villages near Palladam. A total dirt rally, with a service park in between the transport section from Stage 2 to Stage 3, ensured absolute order. The spectator-friendly rally had thousands of visitors from Kerala, Bangalore and Coimbatore itself.

    Set on smooth dirt, the Cotton City stages looked very different, with none of the dangerous elements noticed in the South India Rally at Chennai. One could drive his heart out and enjoy the rally, but pushing the pedal also meant running off the route most of the time. That the route was well marked out is an understatment. Last Year’s `short-cutting phobia’ ensured the presence of scores of judges from the neighbouring Kerala Auto Sports Club and the CASC to police the event. The pace set by the riders and drivers took the local spectators by surprise.

    On Day 1, Team JK’s anchor driver Hari Singh and navigator Gurinder Singh Mann, driving an Esteem suffered two early punctures, losing precious time. Satish Bhat, also of Team JK, navigated by Moosa, rolled in Special Stage 1 and the winner of the earlier Popular Rally, Manik Raikhy and navigator CK Chinnappa, flipped on the second stage. The latter rolled thrice, landed on all fours and tried continuing the run, until his broken car refused to carry him. Team MRF’s Arjun Balu and navigator Kumar Ramaswamy, broke his Esteem’s gear box and retired in the early stages of the rally. Dicky Gill, also from Team MRF and navigator Aditya Jaiswal, broke two imported rims, and lost a lot of time, but continued fighting a lost battle, valiantly.

    In the two-wheeler category all riders opted for solo riding, due to the reconnaissance, and the top shots kept the pace high, except for RH Vikram (Team MRF) of Bangalore. His Yamaha engine seized in the very first Stage, forcing him to pull out unceremoniously. Almost every driver and rider was working at improving his performance due to the repeats. Stage 1 was repeated thrice, and the other two stages twice, all in the same direction, to make up the seven Special Stages on the first day.

    At the end of the day, completed by 23 cars and 49 bikes, Team MRF led in all classes. Naren Kumar and navigator MK Chander, led Overall, followed by Leelakrishnan and navigator Farooq Ahmed, both from MRF, followed by Team JK’s Niaz Amed and Vivekanandan. Among the two-wheelers , Team MRF’s Zubin led, followed by K Prasad and Rohitaaz Kumar from the same team.

    In the stock cars class, Team MRF’s Sagar Muthappa and Sandeep S Rao led, followed by Vicky Chandhok and navigator Manoj Dalal from Team JK Tyre and Karandeep Singh and Jaidas Menon from Team MRF in third.

    Paritosh Kohok of Nasik, led in the Group D stock Class for motorcycles, followed by SP Chinnappa and Udayakumar, both from Team Zen Rallying of Bangalore.

    On Day 2, all the seven stages were run in the opposite direction. Most of the surviving participants were running the 8-14 stages to complete the rally and pick up some points for the championship. While this was going on, Hari Singh of JK an Dicky Gill of MRF were driving their heads off to gain time lost on the first day.

    Team JK lost Niaz Ahmed due to mechanical problems, Vicky Chandhok (accident) and V Ram Narayan due to gear box problems and was fighting valiantly until the finish. Among motorcyclists, Zubin’s impeccable ride on dirt forced on spectator to say, “The rider should be using some gum on the wheels that stops him from falling off his bike in the tight corners.”

    Leg II finished as on the earlier day, at the Suguna Kalyana Mandapam in Coimbatore. The percentage of finishers being high, the mood was upbeat as the rallyists went to rest.

    Hardwork and perfection in preparation proved that Team MRF still had stuff to win a rally and amass placings, as in the olden times. “In rallies, car preparation is 80 per cent and only 20 per cent is driving, we are happy that we have found the right combination, and our drivers will perform better and better, event after event,” said MRF driver and Group A cars tuner Leelakrishnan. “Team JK is pushed to perform and when you push, one tends to make more mistakes,” opined Group N cars tuner J Anand, a former racer for MRF.

    Provisional Results:

    CARS Overall: 1. VR Naren Kumar/ MK Chander (Team MRF) (2hours, 13minutes, 51seconds); 2. N Leelakrishnan/Farooq Ahmed (Team MRF) (2:15:35); 3. Nikhil Taneja/Sandeep Lal (JK Tyres) (2:16:52); 4. Sagar Muthappa/Sandeep S Rao (Team MRF) (2:19:28); 5. Jagat Nanjappa/ Anita (Team MRF) (2:19:43).

    Group A Modified cars: 1. VR Naren Kumar/ MK Chander (Team MRF) (2hours, 13minutes, 51seconds); 2. N Leelakrishnan/Farooq Ahmed (Team MRF) (2:15:35); 3. Nikhil Taneja/Sandeep Lal (JK Tyres) (2:16:52); 4. BS Pruthvi/Shivu Shivappa (Team MRF) (2:19:54); 5. Hari Singh/ GS Mann (JK Tyres) (2:23:15).

    Group N Unmodified cars: 1. Sagar Muthappa/Sandeep S Rao (Team MRF) (2:19:28); 2. Jagat Nanjappa/ Anita (Team MRF) (2:19:43); 3.Karandeep Singh/Jaidas Menon (Team MRF) (2:20:49); 4. Ravi Jouhari/ Deepak Jouhari (Birla Tyres) (2:22:47); 5. Vijayant Choudhry/SS Sekon (Team MRF) (2:23:01).

    BIKES Overall: 1. Zubin Patil (Team MRF) (2:20:15); 2. Rohitaaz Kumar (Team MRF) (2:21:06); 3. K Prasad (Team MRF) (2:21:25); 4. Amarinder Sandhu (Team MRF) (2:23:40); 5. S Nipendar Jassy (Pacer Yamaha) 2:24:47).

    Group C modified bikes: 1. Zubin Patil (Team MRF) (2:20:15); 2. Rohitaaz Kumar (Team MRF) (2:21:06); 3. K Prasad (Team MRF) (2:21:25); 4. Amarinder Sandhu (Team MRF) (2:23:40); 5. S Nipendar Jassy (Pacer Yamaha) 2:24:47).

    Group D Unmodified bikes: 1. Paritosh K Kohok (2:28:16); 2. SP Chinnappa (2:29:57); 3. D Uday Kumar (2:31:07); 4. Vikram Singh (2:33:03); 5. GS Ganapathy (2:33:45).