The 35th edition of the K-1000, which is being conducted by the Karnataka Motor Sports Club, will be the second leg of the Speed Indian National Rally Championships to be run at Ram Farms at Sidhalagatta from August 21 to 23.
Nearly 60 leading drivers from across the country are expected to participate in the event.
“This event will touch international levels and the stages at Sidhalagatta is bound to enthral both drivers and spectators,” said Praneet Perumal, President, KMSC.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, brand ambassador for Bharat Petroleum, will flag off the Super Special stage scheduled to be held at the Manyata Tech. Park, off Ring Road at Nagawara.
KMSC brought together the winners of the inaugural K-1000 held in in 1975 - Vinod Shivappa and co-driver D.R. Shivram - along with last years champions Vikram Mathias and Srinivas Murthy for an interaction.
Shivappa recalled the days when he won the event in an Ambassador. “We had no sponsors those days…and the there were no roads to speak off. The rally routes were a combination of tarmac, dirt roads, slush, hills and mud. And there were no equipments or even adequate medical facilities. But we enjoyed the challenges. It was endurance and a true test for man and machine,” he said.
Vikram Mathias said: “It’s a lot different now…motor sports has changed dramatically with speed and technology dominating the sport.”
