For the first time as part of Mysuru Dasara, a motorsport event has been included among festivities to entertain residents and tourists.
The country’s top-notch drivers are expected to participate in the event organised jointly by the Mysuru Dasara Committee and the Department of Tourism, with Automotive Sports Club of Mysuru (ASCM).
The event – Mysuru Dasara Gravel Fest – will be held at Lalitha Mahal Helipad grounds at the foothills of Chamundi on October 7, two days before the festivities. The authorities have planned a few events before the actual celebrations to build momentum to the 10-day long festivities.
The Dasara motorsport event is a dirt track race where participants can show off their driving skills and techniques of negotiating curves, sharp corners and flying down ramps. The event will be organised complying with the format of the Federation of Motorsports Clubs of India (FMSCI).
ASCOM has announced ₹2 lakh as cash prize for the fastest driver. Cash prizes and trophies will be given to winners in all categories.
H.P. Janardhana, Deputy Director, Tourism, said the event was aimed at bringing Mysuru back on the map of motorsport racing and expressed confidence of making it a success.
The event begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. Eight categories of cars – based on engine capacity – can participate. These are 1100 CC, 1100-1400 CC, 1400-1650 CC, Indian Open Class, Unrestricted Class, Ladies Class and SUV Class. A special class exclusively for young drivers of Mysuru has been organised to encourage them to showcase their racing ability.
Though dirt track events were organised in the past near the helipad grounds, a stadium-like temporary seating arrangement is being made for the first time for spectators. Seating for as many as 6,000 will be possible at the makeshift stadium. The venue will have food and beverage stalls, toilets and parking facilities. Also, the entire 3-km track will be barricaded. A team of doctors with an ICU-equipped ambulance will be stationed at the venue. The track and stands will be under the surveillance of the police and ASCOM volunteers.
Once a hub
Mysuru, the City of Palaces, was once a hub for motorsport events along with Bengaluru and Coimbatore.
Despite producing some of the finest racers in the past, motorsports went off the map of Mysuru though the city has many motorsports enthusiasts and racing events here can attract large crowds like in the past.
ASCOM, an association formed by motorsports enthusiasts of Mysuru, said it was trying to up the passion by organising events such as Mysuru Dasara Gravel Fest to increase interest among the people here.
