Who Were Crowned 'King of Hills' in the Indian National Hill Climb Championship?
Synopsis
In an electrifying competition at Hampi, Ruthuparna Vivek and Samuel Jacob emerged as champions in their respective categories, marking a significant milestone in the MSCK fmsci Indian National Hill Climb Championship. With a record participation, this event showcases the burgeoning popularity of hill climb motorsports in India.
Key Takeaways
Ruthuparna Vivek dominated the cars category with a double win.
Samuel Jacob showcased exceptional skill in the bikes category.
The event attracted a record number of participants, indicating growing interest in motorsports.
Kavita Desai excelled in the Ladies class for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers.
This championship sets a precedent for the future of hill climb motorsport in India.
Hampi (Karnataka), Jan 5 (NationPress) - In an exhilarating showdown at the MSCK fmsci Indian National Hill Climb Championship, Ruthuparna Vivek and Samuel Jacob triumphed in the cars and bikes categories respectively during Round 3 held at the picturesque Hampi Hills this Monday.
The national qualifier, organized by the Motorsports Academy of Vijayanagar, saw an impressive participation of 113 entries, backed by the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports as well as Karnataka Tourism.
At just 26 years old, Ruthuparna from Chikmagalur, a veteran of the Indian National Rally Championship, displayed remarkable skill by dominating the 1151–1450cc Pro-Stock Petrol class with a remarkable time of 2:20.818. She further solidified her dominance in the Unrestricted category, clocking in at an astonishing 2:07.623 in her Mercedes AMG, securing a double victory.
Meanwhile, Kavita Desai, an accomplished off-roader from Bijapur, concluded the weekend on a high note by clinching wins in the Ladies class for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers.
In the two-wheelers category, Udupi's Samuel Jacob, a multiple national champion, exhibited commanding prowess, winning the prestigious Unrestricted class with an impressive time of 2:03.529. His performance showcased both precision and aggression on the technical 2.5km ascent featuring five hairpin bends.
Other notable winners included Darpan Darshan, who excelled in Group B 4S up to 165cc and the 166cc to 260cc classes, alongside Madhu Sudhan, who secured victory in Group B 4S 261cc and above category.
Suhail Ahmed added more accolades by winning the Group B Indian Open 4S class, while Vikas M topped the Indian Open 2S segment. In the car categories, Ashwin Pugalagiri emerged victorious in the 1451–1650cc Pro-Stock Petrol class, and Chetan achieved a remarkable double win in both the 1651–2050cc Pro-Stock Petrol and the Indian Open categories.
Race Directors Santosh H M and Rohit Gowda from the Motorsports Academy noted that the record entries signify the rising appeal of hill climb motorsport in India and set a strong precedent for the upcoming 2026 racing season. The winners were honored by Deputy Director of Tourism Prabhulinga.
Provisional Final Results:
Class 1: Group B 4S up to 165cc: 1. Darpan Darshan, 02:28.839; 2. Darshan D 02:40.345;
Class 2: Group B 4S 166cc to 260cc: 1. Darpan Darshan 02:18.547; 2. Trinesh V 02:22.941; 3. Aditya Venkata Dutt 02:24.926;
Class 3: Group B 4S 261cc & Above: 1. Madhu Sudhan 02:09.396; 2. Suhail Ahmed 02:09.774; 3. Chetan B Hosatti 02:17.143;
Class 5: Group B Indian Open 4S: 1. Suhail Ahmed 02:11.533; 2. Darpan Darshan 02:18.259; 3. Chetan B Hosatti 02:19.235;
Class 6 Group B Indian Open 2S: 1. Vikas M – 02:26.757; 2. Harsha 02:31.720;
Class 7 Unrestricted: 1. Samuel Jacob 02:03.529; 2. Suhail Ahmed 02:08.132; 3. Vishwas SD 02:15.228;
Class 8 Ladies: Kavita Desai 03:40.150;
Class 9: Foreign Open: 1. Samuel Jacob 02:04.563; 2. Viswas 02:10.260; 3. Suhail Ahmed 02:12.535;
Class 10: Royal Enfield Open: 1. Suhail Ahmed 02:10.065; 2. Vishwas SD 02:12.610;
4Wheeler classes:
Class 1: Up to 1150cc Pro-Stock Petrol: 1. Sawan Satyanarayan 02:36.519; 2. Lohit JM 02:48.940;
Class 2: 1151 to 1450cc Pro-Stock Petrol: 1. Ruthuparna Vivek 02:20.818; 2. Paramesh H 02:21.624; 3. Vijesh Kumar Nair 02:44.369;
Class 3: 1451 to 1650cc Pro-Stock Petrol: 1. Ashwin Pugalagiri 02:11.909; 2. Vijesh Kumar Nair 02:46.031; 3. Lalita Gowda 03:21.380;
Class 4: 1651 to 2050cc Pro-Stock Petrol: 1. Chetan 02:23.935; 2. Arvind Dheerendra 02:28.526;
Class 5: 4W Indian Open: 1. Chetan 02:05.586; 2. Ashwin Pugalagiri 02:07.460; 3. Ruthu Parna Vivel 02:07.629;
Class 17 – 4W Unrestricted: 1. Ruthu Parna Vivek 02:07.623; 2. Tushar Jiwanmall 02:08.595; 3. Ashwin Pugalagiri 02:11.628;
Class 8 – 4W Ladies: 1. Kavita Desai 02:52.616; 2. Akkshatha Kadlur 02:57.535; 3. Divya 02:58.136;
Point of View
The achievements of Ruthuparna Vivek and Samuel Jacob in the Indian National Hill Climb Championship reflect not only their dedication but also the growing enthusiasm for motorsport in India. As we look towards the future, events like these are crucial for inspiring the next generation of racers and enhancing India's presence in the global motorsport arena.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Indian National Hill Climb Championship?
The Indian National Hill Climb Championship is a motorsport competition where participants race against the clock on uphill tracks, showcasing their skills in handling vehicles on challenging terrains.
Who were the winners of the latest championship?
Ruthuparna Vivek won in the cars category, while Samuel Jacob emerged victorious in the bikes category at the recent championship held in Hampi.
How many entries were there in the championship?
The championship attracted a record 113 entries, highlighting the growing interest in hill climb motorsport in India.
What did the race directors say about the event?
Race Directors Santosh H M and Rohit Gowda noted that the record entries signify the increasing popularity of hill climb motorsport in India and set a strong tone for the upcoming racing seasons.
Where was the championship held?
The championship took place at the scenic Hampi Hills in Karnataka, India.
