Kudla’s Ashwin Naik, the First Indian to Enter ‘The European Rally Championship’ in Greece
Kudla’s/Mangalorean Ashwin Naik, the First Indian to Enter ‘The European Rally Championship’ {ERC}, along with Multiple National Racing and Rally Champion, Car driver Amittrajit Ghosh from Kolkata, organized by the Federation of Internationale de l’automobile- a rally which will begin in Greece on 1 June 2018 and will end on 3 June.
Mangaluru: Adding yet another feather to its cap, Mangaluru will he highlighted in the Global World of Automobile Rallies, where for the first time in the motor rallying history of India, Mangalorean Ashwin Naik, the co-driver/Navigator along with his partner Amittrajit Ghosh of Kolkata, will hit the international rally circuit -The European Rally Championship (ERC) organised by the Federation of Internationale de l’automobile – a first from any Indian so far. The rally will begin in Greece on 1 June and will end on 3 June. Amittrajit Ghosh and Ashwin Naik have already achieved a podium finish in 2016 in the British Rally Championship. The duo has been sponsored by Pana the Mangaluru based Educational conglomerate.
Mangaloreans should be proud to note that, being a Mangalurean, Ashwin Naik has won almost all rallies on Indian soil-he has won Himalayan Rally and Desert storm five time each, Sub Himalayan rally four times and taken a podium finish in the British Rally Championship along with Amittrajit Ghosh in 2016. This time, the duo Indian team -Amittrajit Ghosh and Ashwin Naik will be driving a Ford Fiesta R2 car which will be emblazoned with the logo and name of the Mangaluru based Pana group of educational institutions. A press meet was organized at Hotel Ocean Pearl to brief the media about this ERC Rally, which was addressed by Dr Prasad K Hegde, the Chairman of the Pana group of institutions, and Ashwin Naik. Unnikrishnan, the CEO of Pana Institutions.
Addressing the media persons Dr Prasad Hegde said, ” We feel proud to have, Mangaluru’s very own Ashwin is our brand ambassador. You may wonder what is the connection of a motor rallying and education. At Pana we have devised a special educational programme which runs on a format of an Academy. We have christened it as ‘Happiness Academy’, and our research has shown that a happy student is bright student, therefore our academy promotes various types of sports particularly the adventure sports of which motor rallying is a part of. Adventure sports enhances the confidence levels of the youth, it prepares the mind and body of the students for life, it teaches application of the combined prowess of body and mind which is why we have adventure sports as an additional learning programme”.
“Our aim is to bring up the students as a well rounded individual, responsible for self and others, and very soon we will be launching programmes of driving mannerisms and safety for future automobile users. Pana Education is different from others. Our education system is based on experiential learning method and we envisage for individuals to follow their passion. We are the only college tied up with IBM. We shall identify the passion of our students and supporting them in pursuing it. We want youngsters to learn through experiences, and therefore we are building a leadership where we want to encourage sports enthusiasts, which is our main aim. When you live in your passion you’ll be happy. We are overwhelmed that our institution logo will be displayed on the Car driven by Ashwin and his partner in the ERC rally.” added Dr Prasad.
Also speaking during the press meet, Ashwin Naik said: “We are proud to be associated with Pana Institution. In India, youngsters typically get to ride a bike or drive a car after completing 18 years, whereas if want to venture into motors sports you need to begin early. Children abroad begin as early as 5 years because that’s when you need to catch the talent. We plan to introduce interested kids to carting with 50 cc and 75 cc vehicles and help them to get adapted at a very young age. In this ERC rally there are already 140 entries, and we are proud to be one among them. Me and Ghosh are extremely happy to enter this rally for the First time, being Indians. We need your support and encouragement. Wish us luck ”
“We will be driving a modest 170 bhp Ford Fiesta R2 car in the ERC 3 category. Tuned by Baltic Motorsport Promotion, a renowned motor sport company from Latvia, the car will get race-spec detailing in the form of a five-speed sequential gearbox, adjustable Reiger dampers, Eibach springs and AP Racing brakes. Later this week, as part of preparations for the challenging ERC, Amittrajit Ghosh will be participating in the Rally Talsi 2018. Ghosh will be treating Rally Talsi as a test event to get used to the car. Like they say, there is no better practice than match practice.” said Ashwin Naik.
Ashwin Naik seen with His Wife and Kid
Earlier speaking to media from London preparing for the Big rally, Amittrajit Ghosh had said, “Our aim is to gain cutting-edge experience in valuable miles and experience through this year which will add to our performance. It is a proud moment for me and Ashwin to become the first driver – co driver team of India to participate in the prestigious ERC in Greece, which second only to the World Rally Championship (WRC) in difficulty levels and multi-terrain challenges. We both have been in the team Mahindra adventure drivers in MRF FMSCI, IRC events. I want to thank RRPM for getting us here and our new sponsor, Pana Education from Mangaluru, for coming on board at this important juncture of our career.”
FIA European Rally Championship was first contested in 1953 and regarded as one of the most prestigious rallying series in the world. With over 60 editions to its credit, it is also one of the oldest races in the world which alternates between rallies on asphalt and gravel. Holding over a decade of experience in racing, Amittrajit Ghosh has won in the following races – 2005 Indian National Racing Championship, besides winning the MRF Racing Challenge and the Indian National Rally Championship in the 1400cc category. Additionally, he also has the distinction of becoming the first Indian to gain a class podium in his maiden attempt in the British Rally Championship and has won the Indian National Rally Championship consecutively twice in 2012 and 2013. Things do not end there, he also represents Team Mahindra Adventure in the MRF FMSCI INRC 2018.