Autocross 2019 in City brings Best Out of Men & Women in their Mean Machines
Mangaluru : Even though it’s been years since Mangaluru City witnessed a daring event called Autocross, but today’s event organized by Mangalore Motor Sports Club (MMSA) at the Goldfinch City Grounds in Kulur, Mangaluru brought back the halcyon days of motor racing back to the City along with its associated glamour. Yes, after a long gap, MMSA was back in action under the leadership of Sudhir B K, its President, to enthrall the city auto racing fans with this BIG event taking place on a beautiful hot and sunny Sunday. The event ran in compliance with the 2019 International Sporting Code of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India, the Governing Body for Motorsports in India.
The languid city of Mangaluru woke up to the blistering pace of zooming cars negotiating bumpy curves and kicking up dust at the vast Goldfinch City Grounds. Bringing a slice of racing action to pump up the adrenalin of youngsters who have taken to motor sports with a gusto, MMSA which launched this Autocross 2019 event drew participants from near and far, brought the best out of the men and women in their mean machines as the tyres scorched the earth to send plumes of dust in what turned out to be a nerve-racking test for the drivers..
Screeching cars jostling for corners raced to beat the competition in a bid to emerge winners. But it was as much as a test of the driving skills of the racers as their technical knowledge in fine-tuning the machine. The racers showcased their driving skills and potential as also their techniques in negotiating sharp corners in what was a display of dexterity of drivers and the coordination with their vehicles. The event drew nearly 70 plus participants, some hailing from Maharashtra, Pune, Bengaluru, Madikeri, Chikmagaluru, Coimbatore, DK/Mangaluru, who tested their mettle with the cars representing the most well-known brands in the market.
Charged up crowds cheered as race cars and modified mean machines, driven by expert drivers, zipped past tracks and navigated sharp curves, hair pin bends, and hurdles. The smell of engines and thick dust mingled with the roar of race cars.The event which was suppose to begin at 8.30 am started a bit late, with the first car in the 800 cc category getting flagged off by Dr Prashanth Marla, the Medical Director at A J Hospital & Research Centre at 10 am (second car flagged off by Sub Inspector K R Naik of Kavoor Police Station), and since it was a Sunday, crowds were continuously pouring on to the venue. Making hay when the sun shines, a food and refreshment stall was set up at the venue where snacks/drinks got sold like hot cakes, to quench the thirst and satisfy the hunger of the spectators.
Dad & Daughter participants- Manoj Kumar and Miss Thitheeksha M K
The event was only for Cars (Four Wheelers) and ran confirming eligibility as per the FMSCI Classification depending on the cubic capacity, like GROUP B : (Modified) 2 Wheels drive Up to 1400 CC; 2 Wheels drive Up to 1650 CC; Single Manufacturer : Support Classes running Under group B Modified (Waiver Granted)-2 Wheel drive up to 800 cc; 2 Wheel drive up to 1100 cc; Indian Open Class/South Kanara Local Class/Special Ladies Class Run in Stock Group. Prior to the start of the event, all the racers were taken on a walk of the tracks for them to familiarize with obstacles, undulations, dirt tracks and twists and turns, known as the Walking Recce.
Like they say every daughter wants to follow in her father’s footsteps, the event saw dad and daughter taking part in this Autocross for the First time in different categories-they were Manoj Kumar, a contractor by profession participating in Open Class, and his daughter Miss Thitheeksha MK, a IT by profession at Diya Systems, Mangaluru, participating in Ladies Class Stock Group. When asked what are their hope in winning in the event, both dad and daughter replied saying, “We feel that winning is not important, but participation is. We have taken up the gauntlet for the first time in such a autocross event, and we feel proud that we came forward with courage and determination. Wish us luck”. Well said by the dad/daughter duo- it was indeed their guts and determination to face the challenge in this daring event.
Founder member of Karavali Automotive Sporst Club Anwar Manipady speaking to Team Mangalorean said, “Motor sports in Mangaluru goes way back to the 1980’s when it all started with four driving enthusiasts, who decided and went onto start the Karavali Automotive Sports Club. The Club over the past years has organized many National and local events and has given many opportunities to the local to unleash their talents, and has groomed Race and Rally Drivers and Navigators from Mangaluru, who today dominate the sports nationally and has been instrumental in helping start new Clubs, one being the MMSA. The Late Mohammed Eshaque, a founder member of Karavali Automotive Sports Club, a driving talent, who had won many laurels was a inspiration to each one of us in Motorsports and was always keen to organize Motorsports events in Mangaluru. He recently passed away due to an illness, and in his memory MMSA organized this AutoCross 2019”.
As for the Event, it had a Flat Dirt Track which was about 800 mts in length and 15 mts wide, having sharp tight and fast corners and Hair Pin Bends. Each Individual competing car (Four Wheeler) had to complete the Course in Two laps, thus covering a total distance of Approx 1. 6 Kms. The track was open for practice for confirmed entries on Saturday 8th June from 9 am to 1 pm. Each Car started solo and timed. The Driver had to compulsory wear ISI confirmed Helmet and a 3 point Seat Belt, and Safety Harness was mandatory. The timing too confirmed standards with Stop Watch and Finish, and the Winner was decided by which drive completes the entire course with the fastest timing. Attractive trophies, Certificates and cash prizes were awarded to the Winner- First , Second and Third Place.
Except for one car which toppled while making a sharp turn, which was completely totaled but no injuries, other than that there were no accidents nor serious injuries. Prize distribution function started with paying homage to Late Mohammed Eshaque. Sanjay Rao of Mandovi Motors, Anwar Mannipady, Sudhir B K President of Mangalore Motor Sports Association and Chief Steward for the event Lancelot Saldanha from FMSCI were present during the awards function. Rtn Vinod D’Souza compered the program. Yathish Baikampady was the media coordinator for the vent.
In conclusion in my perspective, it is nice to note that Mangaluru is catching up with the latest trends in autocross activities, along with other big cities like Bengaluru, Mysuru and Coimbatore, and thus has become the epicentre of motor-sport-related activities. Mangaluru City is home to national champions like Ashwin Naik ( the first one to enter European Rally) Arror Arjun Rao, Dean Mascarenhas, Aroor Vikram Rao, Babban Khan, among many others, and has a potential to bring out more such talents. I still remember during my younger days, Mangaluru saw many auto sports events, but sadly over a period of time, motor-sports have reduced in our city despite having many enthusiasts who wish to make a name for themselves in the autocross circuit.
In an effort to revive this ageless sport, several like-minded individuals, with keen interest and experience in motor racing, have come together to form Mangalore Motor Sports Club, and we need to compliment the president and members of MMSA in an effort to put back the city in the racing map, had organised Autocross 2019, so at least the present generation, if not for the past generation, got a chance to witness a daring and exciting Motor sports event. Kudos to MMSA, supported by FMSCI for a job well done, and for entertaining the Motor Sports fans after a long gap.
Following is the list of the winners :
Up to 800 cc : 1. Suraj Mandanna 2.22.13 minutes ; 2. Prakash R 2.23.65 minutes ; 3. Somanna C K 2.23.69 minutes
Up to 1100 cc : 1. Faruk Hussain 2.24.18 minutes; 2. Prakash R 2.24.31 minutes ; 3. Suraj Mandanna 2.24.77 minutes
Ladies Class Open : 1. Pallavi Yadav (Mumbai) 2.50.41 minutes ; 2. Ayesha Sana 2.52.31 minutes ; 3. Mehbooba 2.52.84 minutes
Up to 1400 cc : 1. Ismail Khan 2.21.53 minutes ; 2. Faruk Hussain 2.25 31 minutes ; 3. Naseeb 2.30.41 minutes
Up to 1650 cc : 1. Dhruv Chandrashekar 2.10.34 minutes ; 2. Ashad Pasha 2.13.37 minutes ; 3. Dean Mascarenhas 2.14.15 minutes
South Kanara Local Open Class : 1. Nazeer Moodbidri 2.23.47 minutes ; 2. Jason Saldanha 2.24.13 minutes ; 3. Naseeb Moodbidri 2.24.32 minutes
Indian Open : 1. Dhruv Chandrashekar 2.10.34 minutes ; 2. Dean Mascarenhas 2.12.25 minutes ; 3. Ismail Khan 2.14.72 minutes
Fastest Driver : Dhruv Chandrashekhar
Best Tuner – Nagaraj
Additional photos by : Rohit S Rao