CHENNAI : The Duchess All Women Club and Madras Motor Sports Club launched the 17th edition of the Indian Oil-Duchess All Women Car Rally 2018 on Tuesday at Savera Hotel. “Since the Duchess All Women Car Rally’s debut in 2002, we have been able to organise it every year, without a break. We are expecting about 100 and above cars to be part of the rally this edition,” said Nina Reddy, joint MD, Savera Hotel.
The rally has a fixed theme every year and this year, it aims to create awareness and focus on the hazards of using single-use plastics. “Every year, the rally gets an amazing response. Apart from becoming a platform for fun and bonding, the rally is also a place where we emphasise on a specific theme and this year, we are focusing on saying no to single-use plastics,” she elucidated.
M Lanka Lingam, MD, Lanson Toyota and Popodax, one of the key sponsors of the event emphasised on the motive behind the theme and said, “Plastic is something that can be used over a thousand times. But we tend to use single-use plastics often, which causes environmental hazards. This rally will drive the message of reducing, reusing and recycling plastics and saying no to single-use plastics.”
Hamsa, a 65-year-old member of the club has been rallying for the last 15 years. She said she looks forward to all the ‘excitement and thrill’. “This is a great place to meet, bond and form new friendships,” she said. Concurring, Sowmya who has been rallying for the last nine years said, “Over the years, being part of the rally has been extremely interesting. I’m proud to be participating this year because of the theme,” she shared.
It is open for cars of all engine capacities, and categories including diesel cars and Jeeps in six categories — Expert, Regular, Novice, Duchess, Family and BOBS.
The cars will run on Time-Speed-Distance format and will cover about 60 km. “We also want to invite participation from schools, colleges and families,” said Nina.
(The rally will be flagged off on July 8 at 9 am at Savera Hotel. Entry forms can be collected from The Duchess Club, Savera Hotel and Madras Motor Sports Club.)