If Champions Yacht Club (CYC), the new promoters of the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) for four wheelers are to believed, the 41st South India Rally, the season’s opening round scheduled at Chennai this weekend, will create a record of sorts with over 50 entries already registered for the event.
“We are thrilled with the response. There are more enquiries but the MMSC (Madras Motorsports Club) has its own limitations. We are requesting to add a few more to the list,” Vamsi Merla, the CYC director, told The Hindu from Chennai.
“I am pleased as the list includes youngsters and women. And that adds up to our challenge,” he said.
He said it will be a test for both the man and machine as they have increased the stage kilometres.
“We don’t want the participants to get away driving just a limited distance. We want them to display their speed and skill and at the same time learn how to preserve the car.”
Vamsi was pleased with the dedication and effort taken by the MMSC for the event.
Manoj Dalal, the Clerk of Course of Chennai Rally, who was here for the MRF National championship, said there will be 11 stages in all.
“We have increased the distance by 10% and it’s going to be fast flowing. I believe this will see some better timings by the drivers.”
He said the spectators will get to see some exciting drives.
“It is smooth dirt track with some good width. The finish part will be flat out on the tarmac. The Super Special Stage will be on tarmac and the rest will be on dirt. It’s going to be exciting for all the guys. They are really going to enjoy it. There will be some tight corners too.”
“The stages are ready and the final tuliping has already been done. We got good support from B.S. Sujith Kumar (who did the road book), some Erode boys and many others.
