Goa eager to host 2nd round of nat'l autocross championship

BY PREMILA KRISHNAN

Connoisseurs of cars can zip, zap and zoom to the Indian National Autocross Championship 2023 event and venture out with some adroitness at the Goa Engineering College grounds in Farmagudi, Ponda.

The second round of the much-anticipated extravaganza will also witness the Time Attack event for four-wheelers from 9 to 5 pm on April 29 and 30.

This announcement was made by CEAT Limited, as well as the oldest motorsport club in India, Indian Automobile Racing Club (IARC) in coordination with the All Goa Motor Sports Association (AGMA). The mega event is promoted by Bangalore Motor Sports (BMS).

"We are excited to host this event in Goa, mostly to attract local motorsports talent. The event is open to all car enthusiasts and the entries and registrations are open on the IARC website,” informed Farad Bhathena, Director of IARC.

The event is open to all age groups with valid licenses be it with or without modified cars for amateurs, newcomers, veterans, or women drivers.

"We have a regular senior Pradeep Nair driving at an amazing speed that we have convinced to take part in this event. The participants vary from Goa, to Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Sholapur, and Delhi who make a beeline to this event with cars like Maruti, Toyota, Mitsubishi, BMW, Audi, etc,” Bathena said.

The event is rated as Pro Experts for professional drivers, Pro Amateur for experienced drivers, and amateur levels for newbies and newcomers.

“We are happy to organize the Indian National Autocross Championships in Goa in collaboration with Indian Automotive racing club Mumbai and Bangalore Motor Sports, as it would give a fillip to sports in the state of Goa," said Sharmad Raiturkar, president of All Goa Motorsports Association.

"We are expecting about 100 dirt track car racers taking part in the event in which 60 per cent racers will be from Goa. We are excited about this event,” said Raiturkar.

"The designated terrain is safe for drivers who wear helmets, gloves, gear, race suits, and shoes as opposed to the highway," Umesh Pandey, the CEO of Indian National Autorcross Championship said.

“There is a huge list of do's and don'ts for drivers, the modification should be in sync with the requirement, and a jump start penalty would be issued if one jumps signals and one should not be aggressive in driving or behaviour," he stated.

"Around five of them would be shortlisted for the finale where the winners would be felicitated with five and a half lakh rupees. We promote them at the national level and it is left to them to proceed at the International events,” Pandey said.