Preparations Underway for the 48th Indu Chandhok Memorial South India Rally
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Synopsis
The 48th Indu Chandhok Memorial South India Rally begins on April 25, featuring 21 teams in the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship. Notably, the Hyundai i20 and Maruti Suzuki Fronx make their rally debut. Organized by the Madras Motor Sports Club, the event promises fast and challenging stages over three days.
Key Takeaways
- Exciting debut of Hyundai i20 and Maruti Suzuki Fronx.
- 21 teams competing under FIA APRC.
- New INRC 3T class for turbocharged cars introduced.
- Ceremonial flag-off at Madras International Circuit.
- Indu Chandhok Rolling Trophy awarded to overall winner.
Chennai, April 24 (NationPress) Excitement is in the air as the current National champion Karna Kadur (co-driver Musa Sherif) leads a robust field of 21 participants in the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship, organized by Vamcy Merla (Asia Cup). This thrilling three-day event, part of the Indu Chandhok Memorial 48th South India Rally, will take place in and around the Madras International Circuit, Sriperumbudur, from April 25 to 27.
Simultaneously, the opening round of the Blueband FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship 2025, also powered by Vamcy Merla, will feature 52 entries, including those from the APRC segment. A new class, the INRC 3T for turbocharged vehicles, will make its debut in this championship.
The Madras Motor Sports Club has meticulously crafted 135 kilometers of fast, flowing, yet challenging Special Stages primarily comprising gravel, with expected high average speeds. The event will kick off on Friday afternoon with a ceremonial flag-off at the MIC.
Vicky Chandhok, the chairman of the event and APRC Working Group, expressed, “We are excited to have attracted 21 entries in the APRC segment and a total of 54 entries, including the INRC. The Madras Motor Sports Club has exerted tremendous effort to design Stages that are both fast and challenging, under the capable guidance of COC Manoj Dalal. I am confident it will be an enjoyable event, maintaining the MMSC tradition of the Indu Chandhok Memorial South India Rally since 1953!”
“We are immensely grateful to Vamcy Merla for stepping up as the promoter of the FIA APRC segment and as the title holder of the INRC segment,” he added.
A historic moment for the National Rally scene is set with the debut of the Hyundai i20. Prepared by JA Motorsports from Coimbatore, the i20 will be piloted by Jeet Jabhakh from Hyderabad (co-driver V Sekar).
Additionally, two Maruti Suzuki Fronx cars will see action for the first time, driven by C Ramcharan from Coimbatore and Naveen Puligilla from Hyderabad, the latter coming off a victory in the WRC3 class at the Kernya Safari, a round of the FIA World Rally Championship.
“I know the i20 will garner significant attention. Driving the i20 presents a steep learning curve for me. I was pleased with my test run in Coimbatore. As a turbo car, it required a shift in my driving style, but I am optimistic about my performance in the South India Rally. I aim to tackle one rally at a time,” stated Jabhakh, beginning his second full rally season after finishing as the first runner-up in the INRC3 class last year.
The competitive APRC lineup also includes Anushriya Gulati, a versatile driver from Uttarakhand, partnered with her regular co-driver Karan Aukta from Himachal Pradesh. Gulati, buoyed by a recent victory in the Thailand championship, is eager to complete the South India Rally after non-finishes in her previous two attempts.
Another noteworthy pair is the England-based Amittrajit Ghosh and co-driver Ashwin Naik from Mangaluru, competing in a Volkswagen Polo. Ghosh, a former National champion, only participated in the Nashik Round during the 2024 season but is expected to be a front-runner given their extensive experience.
Also in contention is Harkrishan Wadia from Delhi, accompanied by Kunal Kashyap from Himachal, who had a stellar outing last year, achieving a triple crown by winning in the APRC, INRC Overall, and INRC2 categories.
All eyes will also be on Suhem Mohammed Kabeer (co-driver Vinay Padmashali), a talented driver from Kodagu, who has the potential to surprise the competitors.
Among other experienced participants are Ritesh Guttedar (co-driver Suraj M), Vaibhav Marathe (co-driver Arvind Dheerendra), Philippos Mathai (co-driver Harish KN), former National champion Chetan Shivram (co-driver E Shivaprakash), and Jason Saldanha (co-driver PVS Murthy), who could all deliver unexpected performances.
Veteran Sangeeth Samuel (co-driver Bopanna Nellamakkada) is returning to the rally circuit after 14 years, participating in both APRC and INRC3, driving a Volkswagen Polo.
A notable absence this weekend will be the former multiple APRC and Indian champion, and Arjuna Awardee Gaurav Gill.
The Slideways Industries team, supported by Pune-based Pinnacle Group, will enter two cars in the INRC 3 class. One will be driven by the only international entry for the rally, the husband-wife team of Raguvaran Veerappan and Amanda Chew Jia Ying (co-driver), both making their rally debut, while the other will be driven by young talent Tarushi Vikram from Chikkamgaluru, partnered by Vybhav Mukund Rao. Both teams are part of the arrive-and-drive initiative.
The MMSC has established the Indu Chandhok Rolling Trophy for the overall victor of the South India Rally annually. Interestingly, Indu Chandhok himself was the inaugural winner of the South India Rally in 1953, driving a Triumph Mayflower.
