The big boys of rallying are back in the city to battle it out for a place atop the podium in the Rally of Coimbatore, the third leg of the FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship, which begins at the Kari Motor Speedway in Chettipalayam here on Saturday.
Coming to the city after a year’s break, the rally has attracted a top class field. Delhi’s Gaurav Gill (co-driver Musa Sherif from Mangalore) will be driving a Mahindra XUV 500. The APRC star along with the other drivers took a quick look at the stages on Friday morning.
“I am going to have lots of fun. It looks a complete drivers’ stage. They have done a good job. There’s going to be lots of speed and your skills will come to the fore,” said Gill.
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“Also, after many years it is good to see a long stage (Gem stage, 24.81 kms). The soil is soft on top, ” he added.
Gill, who is back after ruling the roost in Australia, was happy that besides rallying the city is also playing host to the JK Tyre racing championship. “It’s going to be a speed festival and an amazing weekend. We are a small community. It is nice that these events bring everyone together.”
The other international star in the field is the experienced Karamjit Singh (co-driver Jagdev Singh) from Malaysia. The ‘Flying Sikh’, who last drove here in 2001, was pleased as well with the stages.
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Samir Thapar, in his turbo charged Evolution X, and reigning champion Amittrajit Ghosh in his powerful Cedia will all be keen to attack the stages from the start.
The Rally will witness two stages on Saturday followed by a grand finale on Sunday where the winners will be declared after the Super Special Stage.