Historic Rallying in India (10/03/2001)

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All over the World , where people enjoy motoring and love the thirll of competing in cars, there is a sport called 'HistoricRallying'. Basically this means Rallying older cars, or cars that have gone out of production, the drivers are usually motoring enthusiasts, who do not compete in mainstream motorsport, these people usually enjoy the driving and the sights and sounds of older cars, or possibly dont have the funds to compete in the current motor rallying with all the mega dollar facilities that accompany the current sport.
Then there is another sport called 'Classic Rallying", but I don't think that India is a country where classic cars can be enjoyed at speeds, so we will leave that sport for the time .
Before I get into that, just a snippet of news .....The Asia zone rally championship is coming to India and the Asia Pacific looks like its heading our way too, those of you who have been avid readers of my articles on cmsc1, will know that long ago I predicted which city in India would be the best suited for such a venture.....Guess what........ I was right !!! Coimbatore I believe has been chosen for the 'Asia Zone ' championship. Sadly the Fai has zoned Australia in the European region of the globe so us Ozzie drivers are deemed non desirables in the Asia Zone... There are some things I don't understand, but I wont get into that either.
Ok Historic rallying in India

What a great concept, and dont tell me no one thought of it earlier, look at the events that have run for the past two years, there have been starting grids of twelve cars, is that a joke or what ???. When both the big teams run, then they creep up to about 28 or 30 cars, that is considered a good entry.
If you are an Organiser and your reading this article think about it, would you like to see a starting grid of 60 or 70 cars?, cant any body see that the costs and the structure of the current trend of Indian rallysport is designed to keep out the privateer.
Look I personally have enjoyed driving for the JK Tyres team and loved every moment of competing in the Grp'A' Esteem , there is a place for that in Indian rallying but its reserved for the very few, what about the rest? do we just turn a blind eye to all the millions of small garage owners who are also enthusiasts, and what about all those drivers from the past, doesn't anybody think that many of them would like to come out and have another go, I have personally spoken to many of them who now have been forced to become spectators by looking at the astronomical costs, and the young guns who drive other peoples cars.

The Historic rally could run as a separate Category in the current championship or as a separate event .
I have never asked any of the readers of my articles for any kind of support before but this time I am hoping you will click this article to an one you know who would like to rally in india, the event I am going to choose is going to be.... the ........... Raid-de-Himalaya... the master mind for the event is a hard core rallyist himself, his name is Vijay and his e-mail address is ... motoworld@vsnl.com write to him and tell him that if he includes a Historic segment in the Raid that you and your team will enter.... like the saying goes... If you build it they will come...

Come on pull your finger out its not time to start smoking pipes, taking the kids to school behaving like your dad did 30 years ago, get the old Ambi / Fiat / Dolphin / Baby Hindustan / Hindustan14 / Herald / Standard10 out get the cobwebs out, watch the movie 'Grease", or put on some Tull on the record player and lets go rallying.

Keep the rules simple, cars made in India before ... The Marutis came... and modifications ..........all mods must be home made and with components available in the PM (pre maruti) period,, we should allow certain safety features that are currently made, such as brakes suspensions and Tyres. I would be more than happy to help put this rally on the road, but there are plenty of good organisers In India and all aspects can be looked at.

You are the main person that we need to make this happen, Ok so grab your wife, and tell her that you need to discuss something important with her, (she can navigate), when she sees that glint in your eye, she will know that's its "Rallying" you have on your mind. Tell her that you wont need the Viagra tonight.

Hastallavistababyillbebaak!

 

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