Remiremont
Pragathi Gowda, India’s rising star in motorsports, made a remarkable debut at the Rallye des Vallees 2024, securing third place in the Rally – 5 car class with a time of 23:51.8. This achievement is historic as Gowda is the first Indian rallyist to podium in her debut race. Her impressive performance included competing against seasoned drivers, such as France’s National Champion Yoan Corberand, who won the class.
After three months of intense training in Europe, the 26-year-old driver, alongside Brazilian co-driver Gabriel Morales, not only achieved a top-three finish in her class but also placed 37th overall out of a competitive field.
Reflecting on her debut, Gowda said, my first international rally in France was an amazing experience. The pre-race preparations were thorough, and I grew more confident with each kilometer. I managed speeds up to 165 km/h on some sections and averaged about 102 km/h throughout the race.
Gowda drove a Renault Clio Rally 5 fitted with Indian-made MRF tyres. She started strong in the first special stage, finishing 5th in her class and 80th overall, and improved her times significantly in subsequent stages.
The Rallye des Vallees, known for its narrow, high-speed asphalt roads, posed a significant challenge, but Gowda’s performance, including her average speed of 102.5 km/h, was well-received by local rally experts. She is now gearing up for the Rallye Terre de Lozere this weekend, eager to continue her momentum.
