The Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally was forced to be shifted to Vikhroli at the last minute because the police refused permission to stage the event over the backwoods of Navi Mumbai. But that did not dampen the enthusiasm of the 34 riders who participated in a two-stage race. Nashik’s Shamim Khan, riding a Mahindra Rodeo, overcame tough conditions and a strong field to win the 21st Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally, organised by Sportscraft, on Sunday.
The first stage was more like an autocross where riders drove around a serpentine course thrice and were timed to the hundredth of a second, while the second was three-loop race over the dirt terrain around the Godrej grounds. It was here Shamim showed his class as he struck the perfect balance to emerge triumphant. He was supported and sponsored by Mahindra. In-fact Mahindra had supported three riders for this event.
Defending champion Rustom Patel to win the two-stage rally, hurriedly shifted from Navi Mumbai to the Godrej grounds in Vikhroli, with 10 minutes:0 4.15 seconds in penalty points. Rustom, astride a Kinetic Activa, was second with 10:18.03 seconds penalties.
Nashik riders Mansingh Thakur, Ganesh Lokhande and Vineet Kurup finished a creditable third, fourth and fifth respectively. The annual event, which was possible this time because of the fine gesture of Jamshed Godrej permit use the Godrej grounds in Vikhroli, was flagged off by Ravi Chawla, President Gulf Oil Lubricants. Riding on the gravel-laden, slushy course was dicey.
The riders had to exercise extreme caution while negotiating the steep inclines and hairpin bends. Practically all of them took a tumble or two and some even damaged their scooters. It was also difficult riding through water logged areas but almost all riders went through the exercise rather efficiently. Aloke Bhangre of Pune was adjudged the best first timer for his spirited riding. The riders faced a challenge and so did their scooters, but even the last minute hiccup did not create any problems in the successful completion of the event.
