CHENNAI
The roar of engines returned to the Madras International Circuit at the 49th South India Rally. After taking a year away from the sport, racing legend Gaurav Gill proved he hasn’t lost his touch. The 44-year-old champion from Delhi dominated the dirt tracks, securing the fastest time in the opening stages of the prestigious three-day event.
Driving a Volkswagen Polo for the first time, Gill finished over five seconds ahead of his rival, Karna Kadur. Despite the car being prepared in just three days, Gill displayed perfect control alongside his new co-driver, Srikanth Gowda. “It feels great to be back doing what I love,” Gill shared, praising his team’s hard work. While Gill celebrated a smooth start, Kadur faced technical issues, including a broken intercom, which slowed his pace.
The competition also highlighted rising stars and diverse talent. Tarushi Vikram from Chikkamagaluru stole the spotlight by becoming the fastest driver in both the Ladies and Junior categories. Her impressive performance put her ahead of more experienced competitors, marking her as a name to watch. Meanwhile, local driver Ritesh Rai grabbed second place in the national category, proving that even those racing “for fun” can challenge the pros.
As the rally moves into the more difficult special stages over the weekend, all eyes remain on Gill. However, with many miles left to cover and young talents like Tarushi pushing hard, the race for the championship title is far from over.
