Life can be much like an offroading adventure with its unexpected twists and turns. For Binju Kurian, from Kottayam, Kerala, who participated in the Mahindra Offroading Trophy 2014, her entry into the world of offroading has been an unexpected twist.
“Never ever in my wildest dreams had I thought that one day I would be participating in offroading events, much less competing at a national-level championship, with offroading experts from across the country,” says 34-year-old Binju. “Though technically there was a women’s section, we competed alongside men. So, anyone could win the overall trophy.”
When Mahindra opened the second edition of its championship for women, Binju became one of three women who grabbed the opportunity (the other two being from the Northeast and Coorg in Karnataka).
Binju’s husband, Kurian Kurian Kalarickal, 39, who won the Mahindra Offroading Trophy 2012-13, came third in this year’s edition. They became the first and only couple to take part in the championship although they competed separately.
When Kurian took up offroading in 2006, it was more of a leisure activity. “No one would have guessed how life-altering it would become,” says Binju. “Soon, Kurian began to participate in at least one event a month and it was to spend time with him that I started accompanying him.” Thus began her journey from a homemaker to a navigator. However, even after many years on the circuit, Binju never participated as a driver. “It was only when we heard that Mahindra had introduced a women’s section that I decided to drive,” she says.
It certainly wasn’t a decision she regrets. “It was a wonderful and empowering experience. And I am so glad I went for it. The trails test your presence of mind. I would like to go again and may be even win the women’s section,” she beams.
Ask her why not try to win the overall trophy and Binju laughs. “Men who take part in the competition are hardcore offroading enthusiasts, with years of experience. They know the vehicle and the sport well. This makes them experts at handling the challenges. For a woman to win, she will have to gain those skills and experiences.”
For Kurian, who was adjudged the ‘Best Offroader in India’ in 2013, offroading is now an integral part of his life. “Though initially it was just fun, now it is a serious interest. I take part in at least 12 events a year.” Kurian, who encouraged Binju to participate, feels that she did quite well for a rookie.
Kurian says 2014 is an important year for him. In May, he participated in an international offroading adventure for the first time—The West Java 2014 event in Indonesia.
“There were 210 vehicles (70 teams) and our team Suzuki JIP Indonesia came 14th overall despite getting timed out in a round due to technical snag. It was an exhilarating experience,” he shares.
“Next is an event in Wayanad this month and then in August, I will be in Goa to participate in the Rain Forest Challenge, an international event which is coming to India for the first time, for which I got direct entry,” he beams.
Ask Kurian what qualities are essential to win and he puts quick reflexes and good steering control at the top. “I also try to check out the track before the competition whenever possible,” he says.
Kurian does laughter yoga to relax and tries to learn from past mistakes. Finally, he says, the right attitude is most important. “Nowadays, I compete to win and that makes a big difference,” he says.
The entire Kurian family is pretty enthusiastic when it comes to offroading. Kurian’s elder brother Sam Kurian Kalarickal is a hardcore offroader too and recently launched an academy in Kottayam to impart training to offroading enthusiasts. The R&T Training, Adventure & Event situated over a 25-acre plot is the second such training centre in India and the first one in south India. The only other offroad training centre in India is the Mahindra Adventure Offroad Training Academy at Igatpuri in Maharashtra. At Sam’s academy, students are imparted theoretical and practical training in offroading techniques. Two annual offroading events—the R&T 4WD Summer Challenge and the R&T Monsoon 4WD Challenge—would be held here every year. “The land was a rubber estate, but the perfect terrain for offroading and so the idea came up. It is about our passion for the sport. So though it is not profitable, I decided to go ahead with it,” Sam says.