Bengaluru, 2 Dec 2017: Rohith Mahalikudi of MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology came out with flying colours setting the fastest time of 7.518 secs on a specially-created track and won the remote controlled, ‘mini Dakar’ race beating seven other finalists in the inaugural edition of Red Bull Desert Wings University Challenge, a thrilling competition for student motorsport enthusiasts at the Narsee Monjee college in Mumbai on Nov. 30.
Taking place for the first time ever in India, Red Bull Desert Wings University Challenge had five qualifiers in Patiala, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bangalore and Mumbai. Winners from each qualifier competed in the finals at Narsee Monjee College, Mumbai on 30th November 2017. The winner Rohit Mahalikudi has earned an all-expenses paid trip to Peru to compete in the World Finals at the University of Le Havre on 16th January 2018. The national winner will also get the opportunity to witness the toughest rally raid the Dakar Rally in Lima, Peru. Any university student above 18 years of age and holding a valid passport is eligible to participate.
After winning the Red Bull Desert Wings Rohit said, “I never expected such a big opportunity to come my way. Two days ago I did not imagine I’d be taking part in such an event. Red Bull changed all of that, they came to my college and I took part. I’m very surprised and pleasantly shocked that I’m going to Peru, I’m sure it’s going to be an amazing experience.”
Qualifiers
Date: 12th November 2017
Venue: Thapar University, COS Complex, Patiala
Winner: Sarthak Gupta – Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma College popularly known as S.D. College, Chandigarh – 14.3 seconds
Number of Participants: 81 took part (147 registrations).
Date: 18th November 2017
Venue: Birla Institute of Technology & Science, basketball court, Pilani, Hyderabad
Winner – Ashutosh Andhari – BITS Pilani – 16.183 seconds
Number of Participants: 84 took part (148 registrations)
Date: 24th November 2017
Venue: Amity University, Atrium Area, Kolkata
Male winner: Piyush Jindal – Amity University, Kolkata – 10.506 seconds
Woman winner (wildcard entry): Vidhi Singrodia – Amity University – 14.083 seconds
Number of participants: 84 took part (106 registrations)
Date: 28th November 2017
Venue: Ramaiah Institute of Technology, MSR Nagar, New BEL Road, Bangalore
Winner: Rohith Mahalikudi – M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology – 10.076secs
Number of Participants: 64
Date: 30th November 2017
Venue: Narsee Monjee College, Vile Parle, Mumbai
Wild Card entry winner – Desert Wings challenge conducted at IGX is – Manan Nagda
Winner: Ayush Gurnani – Narsee Monjee College, Vile Parle- 10.042 secs
Number of participants: 84
National Finals
Date: 30th November 2017
Venue: Narsee Monjee College, Vile Parle, Mumbai
Winner: Rohith Mahalikudi – M.S. Ramaiah Institute Of Technology – 7.518 secs
eom/David Bodapati/inputs from release
