Gaurav Gill Aims for a Hat-Trick as K1000 Rally Kicks Off
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Tumkur (T.N), Dec 13 (NationPress) Prominent Indian rally driver Gaurav Gill is eagerly seeking to secure a third consecutive title as the renowned Karnataka 1000 (K1000) rally kicked off its 48th edition on Friday, showcasing competitive Special Stages on rugged dirt tracks.
A total of 56 drivers are competing, all aiming to showcase their skills in pursuit of the National Championship, which remains highly competitive across all classes, except the Gypsy class. The official start of the rally took place during a ceremonial event on Friday evening.
The historic Karnataka 1000 rally, marking the sixth and final round of the FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship, is organized by the Karnataka Motor Sports Club (KMSC), with Arjuna Awardee Gaurav Gill being the focal point of attention.
The Delhi-based driver captured the spotlight in the previous two rallies with a remarkable comeback and holds an outside chance at achieving a historic yet elusive 8th INRC title.
2021 champion Aditya Thakur, partnered with co-driver Virender Kashyap, is also optimistic about his chances. Meanwhile, 2022 champion Karna Kadur, alongside experienced co-driver Musa Sherif, currently leads the championship and is the favorite, needing only to finish within the top ten. Kadur tops the leaderboard with 119 points, followed by Thakur with 94 and Gill with 80.
The rally features two physical stages: the Theertharama stage spans 20.78 km, while the Hatyalu stage measures 16.07 km. Each stage will be tackled twice on Saturday and once each on Sunday, all in a forward direction. This year, the liaison distance is a compact 82.56 km.
In the INRC2 class, Aditya Thakur from Chettinad Sporting leads with 122 points, followed by defending champion Harkrishan Wadia of Arka Motorsports with 106 points, and Fabid, also from Chettinad Sporting, in third with 101 points.
For the INRC3 class, Daraius Shroff from Chettinad Sporting is currently leading with 132 points, closely followed by Arnav Pratap Singh of Snap Racing with 118 points, and Jeet Jhabakh from Chettinad Sporting in third with 100 points.
With Shroff withdrawing at the last moment due to health issues, Pratap Singh now has the opportunity to claim both the INRC3 and Junior titles.
The husband and wife duo, Aneeshnath and Amritha, are leading the FMSCI Classic Challenge Cup, with Aneesh remarking that this final round is critical, making it a do-or-die rally. Baljinder Singh has already secured an unassailable lead to clinch the Gypsy class title with a round to spare.
“The K1000 is a historic rally that has been running since 1975 and stands as one of the three longest-running rallies globally. We strive to enhance competitiveness each year as drivers eagerly anticipate the K1000,” stated Gautam, president of KMSC.
“It’s gratifying to witness the championship remain open until the final round, showcasing a highly competitive National Championship. The beloved K1000 holds a special place in every driver’s heart, and we look forward to another thrilling event,” commented Premnath, the Promoter and head of Blueband Sports.
The Special Stages will take place on Saturday and Sunday, culminating in the prize distribution ceremony on Sunday evening at Tumkur.
