Heavy rains force cancellation of Coorg Rally

By David Bodapati

Polibetta (Coorg), 20 Oct 2012: Heavy rains that lashed the region on Friday rendered the dirt stages unfit for rallying and the Rally of Coorg, the second round of the Indian National Rally Championship, was cancelled here on Saturday.

Steward Farad Bathena made a visit to the stages early in the morning and after his report, the stewards, headed by Zayn Khan, took a decision to cancel the rally and made an announcement to the drivers and co-drivers at 9 am at the service park, near the hockey ground in Ammathi town.

“The stages were completely damaged due to the overnight rains and the stewards felt that they were unsafe for conducting a rally,” said Zayn Khan, the Chief Steward.

Initially, some drivers wanted the route to be reduced and conduct at least 55 per cent distance including the Super Special Stage but with some of the drivers opposing the idea no efforts were made to run the rally. “ We have done everything for the smooth conduct of the rally. But we will abide by the stewards decision as safety of the drivers is of utmost importance,” said Jaidas Menon, the head of Motorsport Inc, the hosts.

The FMSCI rally championship will now move to Chikmagalur in the last week-end of November for the next leg.

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