Big guns set to zoom in WISA’s Rally of Maharashtra

Pune, 30 Nov 2007: Big time motorsports makes its return to Pune and Ahmednagar again with the WISA’s Rally of Maharashtra, sponsored by MRF and Pandit Group, and the response from drivers has been tremendous. The rally, by default the last round of the Motorsports Asociation of India’s (MAI) Indian National Rally Championship (INRC), received 39 entries and after scrutiny 37 will take the starter’s flag at 7.00 a.m on Saturday from the Yashada, Baner Road, Pune.

Twelve special stages will be run at Ralegan Therpal, Kanhur and Ganjibhoire in Ahmednagar District totaling 115.16 kms. The transport stages will total up to 514.53 kms, making it a total distance of 629.69 kms. The three special stages will be run four times over in the same direction to make up the 12 special stages.

The MAI’s INRC 2007 has been plagued with cancellations, with three of the seven rounds being cancelled due to various reasons and full credit to WISA (Western India Sports Association) for going ahead with this round n Pune inspite of their sponsors and commercial partners dropping out at the last moment.

According to COC Ashwin Pandit, also the president of WISA, “Irrespective of the backing off of Infomedia, the commercial partners and IOC, the sponsors, we are running the championship thanks to the support from MRF, who supported us at the last moment and funds from our own pocket. Our conscience did not permit us to let the championship languish with just three rounds run.”

“The event has received 39 entries from which 37 will start, which is a good response by any standards. For the first time in the history of the INRC, the rally will be tracked live and uploaded on the website www.wisa.org.in,” he added.

Elaborating on the special stages, Pandit said, “The stages are such that the drivers will face challenges of all sorts. The first stage, the longest at 12.69 kms is very fast and the expected average would be 90 kmph. The 2nd stage is on a ghat and will be uphill. The surface is smooth tarmac with twists and it is the shortest stage of the event at 5.73km. The third stage is rough in patches, is uphill and will be a test to the skills of the drivers.”

The podium finish will be held at the service park at Kurund, near Shirur and will have special guests in the form of State Finance Minister, Shri Jayant Patil, State Forest Minister, Shri. Babanrao Pachpute and MP Supriya Sule. A typical Maharashtrian cultural show has been organised at the podium finish, to give the people of Pune and Nagar a spectacle worth watching.

Gaurav Singh Gill of Team MRF leads the overall championship with 48 points, having won all the earlier rounds and is a sure bet for the title even if he does not finish. In distant second place is teammate Arjun Rao Aroor (18), while in third spot is Arjun Balu, also of Team MRF, with 13. However, Gill and Balu in the 2000cc Mitsubishi Cedias will face competition from Vikram Mathais of Team Red Rooster, also driving a Cedia and it should be an interesting battle for top honours here. Besides the 3 Cedias there is a Ford Fiesta being driven by Lohit Urs in the 1600 N+ category and 6 Maruti Balenos. There are seven Esteems in the 1400cc category and 17 Esteems in Rally Star Cup with three Gypsys completing the lineup.

The 1600cc and 1400cc categories see Arjun Rao Aroor (Team MRF) and Amitrajit Ghosh leading comfortably with 34 and 40 points respectively, with no threat to their championship hopes. However, there is a tough fight among three drivers for the Rally Star Cup and whoever wins here will walk away with the championship. Mazdayar Vatcha is currently in the lead along with Abhijeet Pai with 27 points, while Arvind J is in third spot with 24.

The Gypsy Cup should also see a fight for the title between Suresh Rana (31 points) and Surendra Babu (24).