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Sportscraft Autocross 4th September 2005

Revving it up in the rain

MUMBAI : The rains returned to Mumbai on Sunday, but they couldn't dampen the spirits of motorsport aficionados who gathered at the Godrej grounds in Vikhroli for Sportscraft's Autocross for four-wheelers.

There were some of the biggest speed merchants of Mumbai – from Neville Poonawalla, Hormazd Sorabjee, Gautam Singhania and Ashish Doshi who graced the event, which was revived by Sportscraft after a lapse of five years. And, needless to say, all had a whale of a time, the inclement weather notwithstanding.

There were 4 classes slated for competition, but, unfortunately, only two could be held, as the heavy slush made driving risky and competition meaningless.

For starters, autocross is that branch of motorsport wherein the participant drives through a serpentine course and is timed to a hundredth of a second. Sounds easy? No, not if you are driving a 1000cc vehicle at breakneck speed and in heavy underfoot conditions. One wrong swerve or improper use of clutch and accelerator could see the vehicle take a 360 degrees spin or crash into the specially-laid out fencing along the course.

While all drivers, drenched as they were, displayed excellent proficiency at the wheel, it was Ashish Doshi in a Maruti Esteem who proved best in the 1001cc – 1400cc class for Indian-made vehicles. He covered the course in 2 minutes, 40.96 seconds. Hinamshu Gondal, also in a Maruti Esteem, was second in 2:45.50 seconds.

But some of the best driving was witnessed in the Open ATV class - first time in India. This was possible thanks to the generosity of Raymonds managing director Gautam Singhania, who allowed participants to use his five All Terrain Vehicles he had brought along from Alibaug.

In a fine gesture, though he drove, he opted out of the competition. In the circumstances, it was Hormazd Sorabjee, editor of Autocar India, who handled the vehicle skillfully in the slush to clock the best time of 2 minutes, 18.83 seconds. Nakul Tanna, with a timing of 2:27.62 seconds, placed second.

Yes, Singhania, who later gave away the prizes, too showed how dexterous he is at the wheel as he went through the motions. No marks for guessing what was his timing.

"Great way to spend a Sunday, particularly in this weather," was how Sorabjee summed up the event. "Am happy the event was revived after so many years. There was so much camaraderie that the rain hardly mattered; competition was secondary," added Sorabjee.

Similar views were echoed by Doshi. "We had a great time. It is not always that you get to drive, or race, in slushy conditions. You needed to handle the vehicle gingerly to come good. A great event, and well conducted," he said.

True, such was the camaraderie among participants that winning hardly mattered for them. Thanking the Godrej company for allowing use of the ground for free, they all promised to be back, though in better conditions, for Sportscraft's next event. Maybe, then Sportscraft will have a sponsor and the stakes will be high for better driving and stiffer competition.

RESULT:

Class 1001 CC - 1400 cc N Indian

1. Ashish Doshi in Maruti Esteem - 2:40:96
2. Himanshu Gondal in Maruti Esteem - 2:45:50

Open ATV Class

1. Hormazd Sorabjee 2:18:83
2. Nakul Tanna 2:27:62

SPORTSCRAFT FASTEST DRIVER - Hormazd Sorabje0e

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