GULF MONSOON SCOOTER RALLY 25th June 2006

Shamim Khan of Nasik will be looking to complete a hat-trick of titles in the 16th Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally to be held in Mumbai on June 24-25.

The event, sponsored by Gulf Oil Corporation Limited and organized by Sportscraft, is being held under the aegis of The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India.

Khan, who placed second last year, is expected to face tough challenge from defending champion Manjeet Singh Bassan of Thane and Mumbai's Rustom Patel. Patel, in particular, will be looking for revenge as he was stripped of the title last year after wining the race after it was detected during the post-event scrutiny that he had made a minor modification on his scooter.

In addition to Bassan and Patel, seasoned two-wheeler racing campaigners Nilesh Thakre, Kunal Rao, Afzal Khan and Ganesh Lohkhande are expected to give Khan a strong challenge.

Then there is also Harshal Gadkari, Umesh Rane and Freddy Elavia. All a daredevils on two-wheelers and have it in them to upset the defending champion's applecart. But in the end all will boil down to riding skills and the dependability of the vehicle.

If the rains are heavy then the riders are in for a tough time. Those who participated last year know well enough how difficult it was to negotiate the slushy, boulder-laden course plotted by organisers Sportscraft.

It is also interesting to note that Business Standard a prominent auto magazine is also entering one rider Shreenand Sadhale, twelve riders will be astride Kinetic Honda scooters, while five will be riding LML, two Bajaj and seven on Honda Scooter.

Thirty riders have already confirmed participation for the around 65-km event, of which 26-km would be on the competitive sector, which will be run along the backwoods of Nerul, Vashi and Belapur.

The riders will be flagged off at Our Lady's Home, opposite Hindmata Cinema, Dadar, at 8 : 30 am proceed to Vashi which most of the competitive sector will be held before finishing at K Stars Hotel, Plot No 46 & 55 Sector 11 CBD Belapur New Mumbai.

Riders will have to report at Our Lady's Home for pre-event scrutiny on 24th June 2006 at 2:00 pm More details can be had from Sportscraft, Chitrakut, 3rd floor, Siri Road, Chowpatty Band Stand Mumbai – 400 006. Tel. No. 23677631, Tele Fax- 23685071

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