Motor sports speeding ahead in city

Mangalore, January 8: The weekend morning saw excited youngsters, mostly boys, descending on to a racing track at Bharat High School Grounds, Ullal, near here, venue for Maruti Suzuki Auto Cross 2012, a national event organised by the Mangalore Motor Sports Association.

It was the second event of Maruti Suzuki Autocross as the first was held on October 15 and 16, 2011.

“Distance of the Dirt Track was approximately 1KM, for two wheelers 5 to 7 laps per class. For four wheelers 2 laps for all classes and electronic laser time was implemented for autocross, said Sudhir BK, president, Mangalore Motor Sports Association, which consists of 12 members, mostly former rallyists.

More than a hundred rallyists from various places including Bangalore, Mysore, Mudigere, Chikmagalur, Hassan, Coorg and Shimoga took part in the event.

The main feature of the event was the participation of Baban Khan from Bangalore, Arror Vikram Rao, Aroor Arjun Rao, Dean Mascarenhas Top Team from Mudigere, and two wheelers Siddanth Nayak, Mohammed Adnan, Sudeepan and Shruptha Padival.

By 10 a.m., the track came alive with the sound of two and four wheelers. Announcements requesting participants to “Report to the starting point,” or to track marshals to take position with the flags were made. Rallyists buckled on helmets, donned gloves, chest numbers, and gear to cover their knees, shins and elbows.

At the beginning, the bikers were tense, all set to speed through the track for the qualifying as well as the final rounds. Once flagged off, dust flew as the competing two-wheelers accelerated amidst the smell of petrol and rubber. While the number of participants reduced from qualifying round to the final round the enthusiasm and curiosity increased.

There was one stretch facing the rallyists, which most of them negotiated when they begun. But while returning from the laps, it seemed to be a tough spot with one biker falling down while negotiating it. As the rallyists were on the track, continual requests were made to spectators, especially children, to watch from a safe distance and not to stand at the turnings.

“Too many pebbles. It's not easy, one slip and you are out of the race,” said one of the participants, after returning from the race. “The track design is lovely and experience matters,” he said.

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. were the main Sponsors of this event. Co-Sponsored by Castrol, JK tyres, K and N Filter, IMG Sports and Mandovi Motors. Hospitality Sponsored by Hotel Gold Finch.

ALBUM