By Anand Philar, IANS,
Bangalore : There is a perceptible sense of excitement on the eve of the Karnataka-1000, the second round of the Speed-Indian National Rally Championship to be held here over the weekend.
The expectations are much to do with the kind of Special Stages that the organisers, the Karnataka Motor Sports Club, have laid out for the 63 participants who include the “big boys” of the sport, Team MRF and Red Rooster Racing in their swanky, modified and powerful Mitsubishi Lancer Cedia cars.
The terrain for the three physical Special Stages is basically red sand/clay and gravel while the route is the same as in the previous two years. However, the organisers have straightened a few turns thus enabling the cars to go quicker while providing spectacle and lots of “action”.
No wonder then that the likes of National champion Vikram Mathias (Red Rooster Racing) and his arch-rival Gaurav Gill (MRF) can’t wait for the Rally to commence Friday morning. Following Thursday’s recce run, both predicted faster times.
Veteran co-driver Musa Sherif, who will be partnering MRF’s Arjun Balu in a Cedia, said: “I expect the average speed to be close to 120 kmph. Some of the sections are very fast and flowing. Yes, lots of excitement for sure.”
For the enthusiasts, there is more excitement in store Sunday, the concluding day. Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a self-confessed motor sport freak, and a brand ambassador for Speed-Bharat Petroleum, is scheduled to flag-off the Spectator Special Stage (triple-S).
Unlike in the first round at Coimbatore in June, the Special Stages are a lot smoother, if one disregards a few small sections where the vehicles could bounce around like a tennis ball. If anything, the competitors were happy that the terrain would not be a machine breaker as was the case in Coimbatore where only 23 of the 61 starters completed the Rally.
Most of the attention will be on the head-to-head battle between Mathias and Gill whose memorable drive last year from 31st to third overall, is still talked about.
Gill, the 28-year old from Delhi is going through a bad patch with a bunch of DNFs (Did Not Finish) and more than his share of bad luck. He is keen to showcase his undoubted driving talent that is based on raw speed and aggression.
Mathias, like Gill, was not classified in Coimbatore following retirement and is eager to get a victory under his belt, for a repeat of last year.
There will be stiff competition down the field too in other classes (1600cc, 1400cc, Rally Star Cup and Gypsy) that could throw up a few surprise results especially if rains decide to make their presence felt.
The three-day event will kick-off this evening with a ceremonial flag-off by Karnataka’s Cooperation Minister Lakshman Savadi.