CHIKKAMAGALURU : December is here and the coffee district of Chikkamagaluru has awoken to the annual festival of motorsport. The whole town has come alive, with rally cars, and mechanics and service crew decked in their grease-and-oil-smeared overalls. People here are all excited about the Coffee Day India Rally 2016.
The sixth and final round of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) — from December 3 to 5 — is the start of another chapter in Indian motorsport. The nation has hosted the event in the past, but that was more than a decade ago. This event has put India on the international motorsport scene once again.
The fact that Gaurav Gill — driving a Skoda Fabia R5 — is a two-time winner (2013 and this year) of the biggest rally championship in the Asia-Pacific region proves that we have talent. Sanjay Takale, currently second in the Production Class, solidifies that notion.
Gill (with co-driver Glenn MacNeall) has already wrapped up the title this year by winning all the five rounds so far. Why the fuss regarding the final round then, one may ask.
The reason is the presence of Gill and his Team MRF comrades from Germany (Fabian Kreim and Frank Christian), apart from the other APRC drivers. This will ensure that the public gets a first-hand view of what a top rally championship is like, what the speed is like, what the machines are like, and who the drivers inside the machines are.
The fourth round of the Indian National Rally Championship is being held here simultaneously. This serves as a chance for many to learn from the APRC drivers and their cars. More importantly, it is a good starting point for India and the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) to capitalise on.
The recce run went on into the evening and the ceremonial flag-off was held later. Needless to say, the best cheers were reserved for Gill and MacNeall. The rally will kickstart with the shakedown on Saturday morning. The Super Special Stage will come later in the afternoon in the Amber Valley School.
“Though I’ve already won the title, I want to finish the season on a high with a win in my home country, in front of family and friends,” said Gill, who celebrated his 35th birthday on Friday.
vivekphadnis@newindianexpress.com