Gautam and Sanjeev take over KMSC reins, promise more activities

By David Bodapati

Bengaluru, 15 Nov 2020: International Formula 1 Marshal, BS Gautam, and former K1000 champion in his class, Sanjeev P Shah, were elected as the President and Secretary, respectively, of the Karnataka Motor Sports Club (KMSC) at the AGM held here on November 12.

KMSC is the founding member of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI). Formed in 1954, the Bangalore Motor Sports Club founded by Fred Webb, later became KMSC to cover the motorsports activity in the entire Mysore State, which is now Karnataka. This story published by a German in the erstwhile kmsc.org was verified by INDIAinF1.com with the three granddaughters of Webb, who are now settled in Australia, and visit India, only once in a while. It has a chequered history and is the only active club which has been continuously conducting the K-1000, a premier National rally for 44 years, as part of Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) except in 2018 when it was denied a national round.

The members of KMSC elected its Managing Committee for a period of two years. A long-standing member and specialist route-setter for the Indian rallies, DA Bhaskar Gupta, now takes the reins as Vice-President after serving as Secretary for the last two years. BS Prakash will be the new Joint Secretary while MD Sathyavratha will be the new Treasurer. The list also includes another senior member Praneet Perumal, Janardan Babu and Shanmuga, elected to the managing committee. The new panel is also expected to co-opt three members and currently advocate and motorsport enthusiast VS Harish is the first to be co-opted and he is likely to take care of the legal issues of the club.

Praneeth Perumal, a veteran of KMSC, who has been instrumental in the club reaching great heights with various teams in the past, especially with the late Bharat Raj, has served in various commissions of the FMSCI and also has been a steward, but has not been able to give enough time in the last few years. His re-entry into the active action, along with another long-standing and active member Satya, will be a boon to the club and the new office-bearers will do well to take their experience in handling the motorsports activities.

Shivu Shivappa, the outgoing president, who recently relinquished the vice-president post of FMSCI, is not in the new committee as he opted out after two terms of service to the club. “Time to move on and give space to new faces to take the club forwards,” said Shivappa.

“On behalf of the Newly- elected Managing Committee, I thank all the members, my predecessor Mr Shivu Shivappa and the past committee for the efforts and wonderful work they have put in to keep the flag of one of the most-prestigious motorsports clubs in India flying high,” acknowledged the incumbent President.

When asked about his priorities as the new president, Gautham said: “Reviving grassroots motorsports and the time-regulated rallies, what used to be the TSDs, will be among one of the immediate things we want to do as a team. These events are the life-line of the club and are stepping stones for bigger things in motorsports for riders, drivers and navigators. So we will take up more activities to encourage budding sportspersons in each of their sport, irrespective of the discipline. Whether be it rally, or racing, or motocross or sprints and bike events, improving the participating and increasing the number of activities will be our top priority.”

“Karnataka has been one of the cradles of motorsport activities and it has produced scores of champions over the years, its flagship event, the K1000 has etched a name for itself as a popular and vibrant event year after year, for 45 years. But many of the experienced and senior motorsports aficionados are feeling left out. So to help youngsters gain from their experience and knowledge and to create a platform for enthusiastic co-operation and learning between the generations, we are planning to start a veterans event,” said the Fire and Recovery Marshal at the Yas Marina F1 Grands Prix, for the last 10 years. He was also an F1 Marshal at all the three Indian GPs from 2011 to 2013.

“I have received a call from our new FMSCI President Mr Akbar Ebrahim and he is very keen that we revive all grassroots activity. And we are also hopeful that we will get all the support from the federation,” concluded Gautam, who is a member of KMSC from 1982. He is currently a Covid Warrior supporting the Karnataka officials with HAM radio and communication work along with other Ham team members, many of whom are active Club members.

Sanjeev P Shah, a member of the Club from 1987, was a former biker, who began with one of the first teams under Shekar Bojanna, way back in the nineties. He won the K1000 in 1991, in the 350 class, navigating for the legendary late Rajan Joshua and went on to win the first runners up spot in the Nationals in 1997 after he switched over to cars, the year which saw a huge number of riders and drivers from KMSC winning honours at the national level. “Secretary is just a badge and we at KMSC have always worked as a team and I look forward to contributing to the growth and continue for the betterment of the club. It is the passion for motorsports which kept us hooked to the sport and I am thankful to get this opportunity to give something back to the club,” said Shah, who is now active as a steward and an administrator.

Another senior member of the club, Bhaskar Gupta, who just relinquished the post of secretary will now be the vice-president of the club. With three decades of experience as a steward and sports administrator, having served the club in various capacities, Gupta is known for his route-setting skills. Along with Satya, he was instrumental in setting the 1996 K-1000 route, near Maddur, and at India Mines which is talked about even now for the five superb stages, after the National championship shifted to the European stage rallying format for the first time that year. Following in the footsteps of his uncle Chakrapani EG, he took to motorsports and never looked back.

“Our focus and priority will be to increase the number of activities. We want more and more people to take up the sport and also we want to do events at the grassroots in all disciplines including TSD and Picnic rallies. Only when we encourage more sportspersons to take up the sport, then we will have more champions in the making. So it is important to keep organising the activities and get the right sponsors to back them up,” concluded Gupta.

Office bearers: President: BS Gautam; Vice-President: DA Bhaskar Gupta; Secretary: Sanjeev P Shah; Joint Secretary: BS Prakash; Treasurer: MD Sathyavrath. Managing Committee: 1. Praneet Perumal; 2. Janardan Babu; 3. Shanmuga. Co-opted members: 1. VS Harish; 2 & 3. To be co-opted soon.