Chikkamagaluru: Speed met skill at the Gravel Fest Indian National Autocross (INAC) four-wheeler rally championship, where Vaibhav Marathe from Goa clinched the title of fastest driver. Held near Saganipura, on the outskirts of Chikkamagaluru, the event drew national talent and motorsport enthusiasts alike.
Marathe clocked an impressive 2.57 minutes, securing first place in the main category. Syed Salman from Mysuru followed close behind at 2.59 minutes, while local favourite Viman claimed third place. In the INAC-2 category, Salman dominated again, trailed by Arshad Pasha (Chikkamagaluru) and Chetan Shivaram (Bengaluru).
The rally featured a 2.3-km dual track, complete with a bridge crossing and simultaneous vehicle participation. Unlike typical speed races, this championship emphasized technical driving skills, thrilling spectators with tight turns and daring manoeuvres.
With 50 elite drivers from across India competing across 16 categories, including a women’s division, the event saw participation from well-known names such as Rakshit Iyer, Pallavi Yadav (Chandigarh), and Shameem (Kerala).
The competition offered Rs 7 lakh in cash prizes and elegant trophies. The rally was meticulously organized by the Chikkamagaluru Motor Sports Club, under the leadership of Jayant Pai, along with Samrudh Pai, Abhijit Pai, Farooq Ahmed, Dilip Kumar Jain, and Divin Jain.
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