Mangaluru: This coastal region on the Western seaboard of India has given its own gift to the world of motor rallying, the first one to be organised during the monsoon season anywhere in the country. The eighth edition of the Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) with 40 rugged vehicles from the Mahindra stables, will roll onto the rain-soaked, mud and rock splintered roads of the Western Ghats and the coast on Friday.
Announcing the rally ‘Mahindra Adventure Monsoon Challenge 2018’ Bijoy Kumar Y Chief of adventure initiatives of auto major Mahindra and Mahindra “This is the biggest TSD (Time, Speed, Distance) rally on the circuit with the most rewarding prize money on offer, and participation from over 40 Mahindra vehicles that will navigate the challenging route of over 1,000 km in 2 days. Held under the Mahindra Adventure umbrella, it is a part of the Challenges series of motorsport events that were launched seven years ago. A unique concept, as the name suggests, TSD rallies are not only about speed but also about the calculated precision of time and distance. The driver and navigator are expected to keep track of time in tandem with the distance covered”.
The rally will be flagged off from Bharat Mall, Mangaluru on June 29, then make its way to Murudeshwar and end in Goa on July 1. The route will have highways, roads and rough road stretches, with the magnificent Western Ghats as the omnipresent backdrop. Participants can compete under any one of the following categories – Professional Category and Amateur Category which includes the Corporate Category, Ladies Category, Couple Category and Media Category.
With a total prize money of Rs 3.5 lakh on offer, the Monsoon Challenge is one of India’s richest TSD motorsport events. It has also been duly approved by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) and is held especially for Mahindra vehicle owners.
“The Monsoon Challenge isn’t merely a rally for deriving some adrenaline rush but also an occasion to become one with nature. The rally will pass through a rain-soaked region blessed with one of the most beautiful natural spectacle’s encompassing a picturesque landscape all-around. Aided by their trusted Mahindra vehicles, this rally offers budding motorsport enthusiasts an opportunity to test their endurance and overcome challenges.” Bijoy said.
The Mahindra Adventure Monsoon Challenge 2018 route is planned by the Mahindra Adventure team in association with the IMSC (Indian Motor Sport Club of India), while the ‘With You Hamesha’ service team will ensure that participants can enjoy the rally unhindered.
About Mahindra Adventure
A unique concept to showcase the tough and rugged DNA of Mahindra vehicles, Mahindra Adventure functions as an umbrella brand with a series of self-drive overland adventure expeditions organized under its banner.
Mahindra Adventure was launched as an independent entity for all adventurous activities, in 2011, headed by Bijoy Kumar Y, Chief of Adventure Initiatives. He is a motoring enthusiast and the erstwhile editor of a popular motoring magazine.
The Mahindra Adventure calendar comprises a series of experiential marketing events throughout the year such as the popular off-roading event, the Great Escape, several Challenges (sporting events in keeping with the company’s promise of providing adrenaline-pumping challenges), Multi-Day Special Escapes, such as the Monastery Escape (10 days), Royal Escape (6 days), Authentic Bhutan (8 days), Himalayan Spiti Escape (10 days), and the Summit – a drive to the Everest base camp (14 days).
To spread the DNA of off-roading, the Mahindra Adventure team has also recently launched the Mahindra Adventure Off-Road Training Academy in Igatpuri to encourage off-roading amongst the adventure seekers.
Mahindra Adventure Off-road Training Academy is a 28-acre facility, India’s first dedicated facility providing a one-stop solution to learning everything about a Mahindra 4WD vehicle and how to use it to its full potential. Through this, we hope to leverage the brand’s off-road heritage, showcase the vehicles abilities and give the participants the confidence to explore the limits of the vehicles. Custom-made Mahindra Thars equipped with radio sets are exclusively used as training vehicles at the facility.
Team Mahindra Adventure has also been blazing the motorsport arena with their rally-prepared– Super XUV500, since its inception. Mahindra’s cheetah inspired XUV500 won the overall championship at the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) 2017.
