The 2006 edition of the JK Tyre National Racing Championship saw these new Formula cars driven by both veterans and new comers alike on the two purpose built tracks at Coimbatore and Chennai. There was a total of 6 rounds between Coimbatore and Chennai with 2 races for each Formula cars every week end.

In the premium category of Formula Rolon Chevrolet, Gaurav Gill, 25 years, a dare devil came, drove and sealed the National Championhip in the penultimate round itself.

Gaurav Gill - (left) with his National Champion trophy

Gaurav Gill is good at any machine, whether it has two wheels or four wheels ! He graduated from 2 wheelers. You name any type of motorsporting event, he would have participated.

Your indmotorsport.com (ims) interviewed this 'flat out' man. Excerpts :

ims : About you, schooling, age........

Gaurav Gill (GG) : I am born and brought up in Delhi. I am 25 years. I did my schooling from the Delhi Public School and graduation from a private institution. I am a person who lives life to the MAX !! I also have my own business of manufacture and supply of electronic and manual rolling shutters, garage doors and also glass.

ims : Then how come you are in to motorsports.......

GG : Motorsports has always been a part of my family. My Uncle is Dicky Gill who has competed and finished 2nd in the 1985 Himalayan Rally. Since I was a child I was fascinated by cars and bikes.......with rally cars in and around your house, I guess, one cannot resist getting in to them. That's how I got in to motorsport and I took it very seriously.

ims : Your first event.........

GG : Karting in 1996. Motocross in 1999.

ims : Your first win in 4 wheelers and 2 wheelers

GG : Through out 1996-1999 I won most of the karting races. In 1999, as a privateer riding my YZ125 bike I beat all the professionals. Seeing my performance, TVS came forward and sponsored me.

ims : Your memorable motorsport events.........

GG : My first rally astride a bike with TVS Racing -The Popular Rally in Cochin and that was my debut win too, one of my most memorable rallies in my life. My second favourite is in 4 wheelers. It was the South India Rally in Chennai in 2000 and in JK TYRE colors, again a debut win. I can never forget these two wins in my life.

ims : Your experience with racing.........

GG : My first race was in the same year 2000. I drove the famous Formula Maruti. I started 16th or 17th on the grid and made my way up to 3rd, but had to retire with a blown motor !! and if I remember correctly that car weighed approx 50kgs more then a standard Formula Car !!!!! (the gross weight being 300kgs only) I came back into racing in 2003.........after a gap of three years of no racing or rallying at all. But I finished 2nd and won the next race itself. I never expected to be on the podium even, because of my 'SIDEWAYS' driving style which is not exactly the fastest way to go around the Race Track !! And i can assure you that it definitely is the fastest way through a Rally Stage !!!!

ims : So you like rallying more than racing ?

GG : Yes, ofcourse, the feeling of drifting at over 150kmph on dirt with a drop on one side is one exhilrating feeling which is totally unexplainable!!
And driving on varied surfaces is a test of Man and Machine...

ims : but....how do you manage so well, when the skill and style in rallying and racing are different

GG : Simple. Whether I am in a rally car or a race car, I only know one way to drive FLAT OUT, though keeping the technicalities, safety in mind and the fastest way around a corner.

ims : You are the National Champion in the premium category of racing - the Formula Rolon Chevrolet, what do you feel about this Formula Car

GG :The introduction of the Formula Rolon Chevrolet has seen a decade's leap in our Indian Racing. Though the car is a little overweight but the Racing 'Dog' gearbox does a great job of keeping it at maximum revs from the 1.6 litre engine all the time, thus giving it a great overall power. JK TYRE is doing a phenominal job by sponsoring and supporting the Racing Championship. This has been a great effort from them for years now and also been very helpful for drivers to graduate to the international circuits.

ims : Tell me something about your Team Wallace Sports Leela's.....

GG : I have been associated with Wallace Sports Research Foundation (WSRF) since I started racing and rallying. The team is owned by Mr.Vicky Chandhok and run by Karun Chandhok,the strongest Racing family in the country which needs no introduction. Karun has been of great help in terms of car set-up. Leela (N. Leelakrishnan - who had won many National Rally Championships) on the other hand needs no introduction as well, by far being the best tuner in the country for decades.....Leela's vast experience in both rallying and racing has helped me to be a much more technical and a matured driver in these years.

ims : Support of your family, friends.......

GG : My mother.......she is one who supported me throughout my life and this could not have been possible without her. Friends have always been a great help and support as well.

ims : Your motorsport idol - rally & race

GG : I have always been a great fan of Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz. I think they are both phenomenal drivers who go to the limit each time. Colin does it a little more often.

ims : your views on Indian Motor sports

GG : The Indian motorsport scenario is on a big high at the moment,with so many young kids coming into the karting and the racing scene. Its about time when you can choose Rallying or Racing as your career, provided you have the talent,speed and the sponsor. But I feel we need to see more racing tracks spread through out the country especially in the north and in Maharashtra for the sport to grow and be accesible to the youth.

This Sport is still growing in this CRICKET OBSESSSED country but at the same time its very hard to persuade companies to throw in money into this exciting sport. We are still Media hungry consdering the fact there's no sport left in the counrty, thanks to CRICKET.. Its high time now....people need to surface and look beyond CRICKET. The only way out in this country, for any sport to grow.

ims : What's next...........racing......rallying

GG : I'm more inclined towards rallying and awaiting sponsorship deals for the year 2007. JK TYRE is my primary sponsor but I am looking out for part sponsors to go rallying in the Asia Pacific Rally C'ship or the British Rally C'ship considering the budget that can be raised.

ims : What is your advice to the new comers

GG : Don't rush things up,some people are versatile and some are not,so take it as it comes and never panic in a race car, stay as calm as possible. Commitment, Dedication and Concentration are the key words to be succesful in this sport.

ims : where do you want to be in motorsports ?

GG : THE WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP.

ims : about indmotorsport.com (optional)

GG : I just heard about your site some time ago. I think you guys are doing great. We need help from people like you for the sport to grow !! BEST OF LUCK TO EVERYONE FOR 2007 Cheers and Safe Driving....

INDMOTORSPORT.COM WISHES ALL THE VERY BEST TO GAURAV GILL
AND ALL HIS DREAMS TO COME TRUE IN 2007

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