Coimbatore, 29 Jan 2021: The Rally of Coimbatore, the third round of the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) 2020 began with the ceremonial ceremony here on Friday with the City Police Commissioner flagging of the first two cars and a select few.
The 2020 season began with two back-to-back rounds in Itanagal, Rally of Arunachal Pradesh, which drew praise for their superb handling as far as the safety and running of the event is concerned. The COVID19 pandemic forced the promoters Champions Yacht Club and different organising clubs with no choice but to push the calendar to December and the last two rounds to January and February. Rumours were floating a couple of days back that the Rally of Coimbatore would be put-off or cancelled. As such the flag-off came as a big relief both to the participants and to the other motorsports fraternity and stakeholders.
The participants had to undergo the formalities of documentation on Thursday which went on late into the evening and some say it was close to 8pm. INDIAinF1 always tries to remind the officials and other organising leaders and FMSCI stewards that sportspersons are supreme for any sport to survive. Officials who do not respect the participating drivers or co-drivers are make their job difficult by asking mundane things is a `BIG no!’ Coimbatore Auto Sports Club has good reputation over the years as the best organising club as far as rallies of INRC are concerned. However, an official who is not from the club is said to have delayed things. We request the Promoters to look into it and make sure that the drivers do not suffer.
Ther Promoters have earned a tag as `Driver Frieindly’, though there were some hiccups, the drivers and co-drivers are having a ball. At least some who could not dream of sponsors. The ladies teams have increases and sponsors were roped in, ladies participation has increased to seven and we also see an official from FMSCI who is from “Women in Motorsport”, an FIA concept which augurs well for the sport and for women power.
Promoters have also subsidised the transport for cars, and Vamsi Merla, of CYC, has personally called many drivers from North and drivers like Bani Yadav, a doctorate in Motorsports and Khyati Modi, a Gymkhana driver were given a chance and promoted to take part in Itanagar rounds.
As such anything negative to the drivers hurt the sentiment and negates the good work done till now as Drivers and Co-drivers are the heart of the sport and should be treated as such.
It should me noted that the Federation and organisers crib that there is no media coverage. But there was no Media room and the Press Conference as per Supplementary Regulations was not held. If we do not follow simple things, and expect media coverage, it is not likely to happen.
