By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: The duos of Farhan Khan & Shahvez Khan and Anwar Ali Khan & Amer Ali Khan were cynosure of all eyes as they finished first in the petrol and diesel categories with minimum penalty points of 17.03 and 18.57 respectively to their credit in the 60th Independence Monsoon Safari Rally 2007 organized here on Sunday.
Thrill, excitement and entertainment, the hallmarks of any adventure sports were on parade in full splendour as the participants and spectators both enjoyed it to the hilt.
A cash award of Rs. 50,000 with a glittering Taj Memorial Trophy was presented to each of the duo Farhan Khan & Shahvez Khan and Anwar Ali Khan & Amer Ali Khan at the conclusion of the rally. Beaming smiles on the faces of the victors further lit up as the thunderous applause of thousands of people present to see their heroes hogging the limelight greeted them when they received the hard-earned prizes last night.
The first runners-up and second runners-up in the petrol category were Saad Shah & Mahfooz Malik and Akram Mohammed & Shahnawaz with 17.61 and 19.58 penalty points respectively in their names. They received Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively along with trophies for their performances.
While in the diesel category the duos of Umair Khan & Shiraz Khan and Adil Mohammed Khan & Mohammad Faiz Khan were placed second and third with 21.55 and 22.33 penalty points respectively. They received Rs.25,000 and Rs. 10,000 respectively along with trophies.
In all 33 rallyists, 18 in petrol and 15 in diesel categories, participated in the four-wheel Monsoon Safari Rally on a stretch running 160 km. The rally was organized by the Madhya Pradesh Automobile Association, (MPAA), and was sponsored by Bhaskar Group and others.
About 38 entries were received for the Monsoon Safari Rally out of which five were rejected, as the applicants did not fulfill the safety norms set up for the competition. Out of total 33 participants, six were forced to get out of the race due to technical snags, which their vehicles developed on the way.
Meanwhile, a special Veteran Trophy was presented to the veterans duo of Ismail Durrani & A.V. Singh for being the senior most (60+ years) amongst the participants. While Mahira Azam received a special prize for being the lone woman participant. She was navigator of Syed Azam. The duo of Saad Iftikhar and his navigator Umar Mohammad Khan’s vehicle was adjudged the best prepared vehicle. The duo and their mechanic Mohammad Saleem who helped in preparing the vehicle for the rally were rewarded with a special trophy.
The prizes were presented by former Congress minister and presently an MLA Ajay Singh, who was the chief guest, and Bhaskar Group of Newspapers & Industries Ramesh Agarwal, who presided over the function, and others. A bonhomie atmosphere prevailed at the prize distribution function wherein young and not-so-young alike clapped in unison which reached a crescendo with prizes handed over to each winner duo. Mementos were presented to one and all who worked relentlessly for the success of the rally.
Agarwal addressing the assemblage said Bhopal is better than Bangalore as far as its natural and scenic beauty is concerned. Bhopal can make its importance felt all over and attract tourists if such events are held regularly. If MPAA undertakes to organize these events then his Bhaskar Group would sponsor it, Agarwal announced to the glee of the spectators.
Ajay Singh, who is patron of MPAA speaking on the occasion, thanked Ramesh Agarwal for his gesture and assured that MPAA would organize safari rally, vintage car rally and many more such other adventurous events on a regular basis.
Akbar Mohammad Khan, president MPAA, proposed a vote of thanks. Pervez Sheriff, general secretary MPAA, announced the names of the winners. The office-bearers and other officials of MPAA namely Irshad Mahmood, Aslam Khan, Safdar, Dr. Ajay Goenka etc. heaved a sigh of relief that the rally passed off without any mishap, whatsoever.
Meanwhile, the love, the passion and the overflowing enthusiasm for adventure sports in the people of Bhopal and adjoining Raisen district was on display in full measure here on Sunday when the Monsoon Safari Rally was held. After a bright sun
shine at the start a sharp shower in the last part of the rally added much needed colour to the festive mood pervading the event. The rural-folk did not lag behind their urban dwellers and evinced keen interest as the rally passed through their regions.
The youth and the aged alike, the fairer sex being no exception, came out of their homes in large numbers lining the route of the rally all along to witness this event and bolster the spirits of the participants which comprised of youth and the gray-haired both. The volunteers deployed by the organizers to have the rally conducted smoothly had a hard time to control
the spectators who rubbed shoulders and jostled to have a glimpse of the dare-devils on wheels driving at break-neck speed to overtake their competitors in the gruesome competition.
The Monsoon Safari Rally 2007 was conducted in two categories, one for diesel and the other for petrol vehicles. The 160 km-long stretch was divided into two sectors – competitive and transport The competitive zone included the off-beaten tracks, mountainous regions and forest areas while the transport zone included highways.
The route of the rally was planned to test the skills of the drivers as they were made to find their way out of dirt track road, slush, mud and rivers while crossing the competitive zone of about 35-40 km length. In a bid to ensure safety, helmets, seat
belts, roll cage, hardtop were made compulsory for the participants.
The entire route was covered through wireless communication system. An ambulance team also kept following the vehicles participating in the rally for emergency services. The participants were also insured before the rally, the expenses of which were borne by them only.
Meanwhile, the winner in the petrol category, Farhan Khan was all praise for the MPAA officials and office-bearers for organizing such a rally giving them chance to exhibit their talent. “It was a thrilling experience overall, especially the competitive sector which was the most enjoyable”, he remarked.
Farhan said that the dirt track not only tested the skills of drivers but also extracted the maximum out of them.
“While there are rules on the road, in motor rallying especially in the mountain regions, the rules are set by the nature. In such rally, it’s up to the rallyist’s discretion to either go by nature or go by his own instincts,” added Farhan.
Earlier, in the morning, Bhopal Mayor Sunil Sood, Inspector General of Police Mahaan Bharat Sagar, M.P. Cricket Association vice president Dr. Shafquat Mohammad Khan along with many others flagged off the rallyists from Iqbal Maidan. ([email protected])