8th Mahindra Adventure ‘Monsoon Challenge’ Kicks Off at Bharath Mall on 29 July
8th Mahindra Adventure ‘Monsoon Challenge 2018’ will be flagged off at Bharath Mall TODAY {29 July} at 5.30 pm by T R Suresh-Police Commissioner of Mangaluru, along with guest of honour, Bijoy Kumar Y-Chief of Adventure Initiatives, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, Mumbai. 35 brave-hearts will be taking part in this ‘Challenge’ to brave the nearly 700 km rain-washed roads.
Mangaluru: The 8th Mahindra Adventure “Monsoon Challenge 2018” which is considered to be one of the toughest rallying tracks in the country, and one of India’s biggest TSD {Time, Speed, Distance} rallies with highest price money of Rs 3.5 lakh on offer, will be flagged off on Today, Friday, 29 June from Bharath Mall Main Entrance, near KSRTC Bus Stand-Mangaluru at 5.30 pm by Police Commissioner of Mangaluru-T R Suresh, along with guest of honour, Bijoy Kumar Y-Chief of Adventure Initiatives, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, Mumbai. After the flag off, the participants will halt in the City for the night, and early morning on 30 June, they will start from Hotel Moti Mahal-Mangaluru towards Murudeshwar, and end their rally on 1 July at the Regenta Resort in Varca-South Goa.
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 in the monsoon anywhere in the country. The eighth edition of the Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) with 35 rugged vehicles from Mahindra stables will roll into the rain soaked, mud and rock splintered roads of Western ghats and the coast on Friday. These 35 vehicles, including one from Sri Lanka and the other from Dubai, with seasoned rallying men will take this test for men/women and machines that will take them through some the trying conditions in the fringe areas of the mighty Western Ghats. Narrow and not so good roads, heavy to very heavy rains, low visibility and also sometimes slippery roads due to mudslides are the few perils to mention. The recce of the track conducted by ace rallyists Ashwin Naik and Moosa Sherif has thrown these challenges, but there could be more. Ashwin and Moosa of Indian Motor Sports Club are coordinating with Mahindra Adventure on this initiative.
Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), India‘s leading SUV manufacturer is the brain and muscle behind this rugged event. The Mahindra Adventure Monsoon Challenge 2018. Known to be the biggest TSD (Time, Speed, Distance) rally on the circuit with the most rewarding prize money on offer – the Mahindra Adventure Monsoon Challenge 2018 will see participation from over 35 vehicles from the Mahindra stables. These men, women and machines will drive in one of toughest terrains on the coast covering nearly 700 kilometers in two days, braving the rains on the fringe areas of the mighty Western Ghats. After organizing seven seasons of ‘Monsoon Challenges’ by ace rallyists Ashwin Naik and Moosa Sherief, the rally has become one of the most sought after events in Karnataka if not in South India. This road-trip will be one of a kind as the participants will be taking one of the most scenic routes to reach their destination in Goa.
During a press meet held at Hotel Moti Mahal, briefing about the rally ‘Mahindra Adventure Monsoon Challenge 2018’, Bijoy Kumar Y Chief of adventure initiatives of auto major Mahindra and Mahindra said “This is the biggest TSD (Time, Speed, Distance) rally on the circuit with the most rewarding prize money on offer and participation from over 35 Mahindra vehicles that will navigate the challenging route of over 700 kms in 2 days. Held under the Mahindra Adventure umbrella, it is a part of the Challenges series of motor-sport 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 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 motor-sport enthusiasts an opportunity to test their endurance and overcome challenges.” Bijoy said.
Vinod Nookla-Senior Manager of Mahindra Adventure Initiatives said, “The Monsoon Challenge has all the ingredients of providing the best experience as the rally travels through some of the most beautiful and pristine locations from Mangaluru to Goa and is the perfect opportunity for budding motor-sport enthusiasts to test their mettle. This rally follows the Time, Speed, Distance (TSD) format and is open only for customers of Mahindra vehicles. 35 participants have already registered so far hailing from Dubai, Sri Lanka, Pune, Erode, Kolkatta, Bengaluru, Pune, Cochin, and also from Mangaluru. ”
Also speaking Ashwin Naik said, “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 & Media Category. With a total prize money of Rs 3.5 lakh on offer, the Monsoon Challengeis one of India’s richest TSD motor-sport 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 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.” Selvin Jose- Manager of Mahindra Off-Road Academy, and Santhosh Rodrigues, Managing Partner of Ms Karnataka Agencies-Mangaluru, the authorized dealers for Mahindra vehicles were also present on the dais during the press meet.
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), & 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 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 motor sport 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.