GULF MONSOON SCOOTER RALLY 25th June 2006 Kunal Rao wins

Unfancied Kunal Rao proved the surprise package in the Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally, organized by Sportscraft, under the aegis of The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India, on Sunday. This is the 6th year in row that Gulf Oil Corporation Ltd. has sponsored this event.

The young Mumbai rider threw caution to the winds and beat back a strong challenge from a host of experienced riders, that included three former champions in Rustom Patel, Shamim Khan and Manjeet Singh Bassan, to win the gruelling 80 kms race with a minimum penalty points of 0:26.23 seconds.

Mumbai’s champion rider Rustom placed second, with 0:26.37 seconds penalty points, while Bassan was third with 0:26.46 penalty points.

Out of 32 riders registered, took the start from Our Lady’s Home in Dadar after Mr. N.C.Shekharan, Head Lubricants SBN of Gulf Oil Corp. Ltd., flagged off the rally. In the end there were just 23 who could make it to the finish.

With heavy rain lashing the city last night, needless to say, the ride along the backwoods of Navi Mumbai was arduous. Negotiating the slushy stretches and gravel-laden tracts proved more than a handful.

Such was the condition of the route plotted by Sportscraft that a competitive sector had to be re-routed at the last minute. And even though most of the riders had done a reconnaissance mission days before the event, many took a tumble or two and some even lost their way.

But it was Kunal Rao, riding a Kinetic Marvel two-stroke, who stole the limelight. He struck a judicious balance on his scooter to score vital points and surprise Rustom and Manjeet.

Rustom, on a Kinetic DX, who was looking for revenge after losing out last year on a technicality, did prove a point by beating Bassan and finishing second. Manjeet, riding his trusted LML Vespa that won him two titles in the event previously, could do little as the overall efficiency of the Kinetic scooters made the difference.

Ganesh Lkohande of Nashik placed fourth while Nilesh Thakre, also of Nashik, was fifth.Jasjeet Saini of Thane was adjudged the best first timer and claimed the late Firdosh Vajifdar trophy for his spirited riding. Riding an LML Vespa, he clocked a creditable 0:35.50 seconds.

There was a lesson for all from the evergreen Kersi Patel. At 65, he has lost none of the enthusiasm of a young rider wanting to enjoy the thrill of racing. He was among the 23 who finished, though placing 20th.

All in all, it was a rally the participants will remember for long for the stiff challenge.

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