The round 1 of the AAM Malaysian 4 X 4 Rally Championship was held in Johor, Malaysia on 25th & 26th April 2009. Indian driver Lohit Urs and co-driver Moosa Sherif took part in this round 1. The total distance was around 300 kms and the stages were run in small town of Muar which is about 200 kms south of Kualalumpur.

Moosa Sherif said "The stages comprised of fast sections, some very narrow section and some very demanding rough 4X4 sections. We were the only Indian entry, and many competitors from Malaysia and Thailand took part. Among leading competitors were the reigning 4X4 champions William Mei/ Jagdev Singh ( Malaysia) amd top rally driver of malaysia Gunasheela Raju along with navigator Gyan Singh also from Malaysia."

Indian team was driving the Nissan Frontier 4 X 4 vehicle, which was a unmodified T2 category vehicle. They were part sponsored by Pennzoil, Malaysia and had great support from Gunasheela Raju, Jagdev Singh and Karamjeet Singh who is the former World Champion in Production Class and reigning Malaysian Rally Champion.

Lohith / Moosa finished 3rd in the unmodified T2 category and 5th overall.

"As our entry was confirmed in the last moment, we couldn't prepare our car to its full potential. Infact we had to run on ordinary shocks absorbers and original engine management system while all others were running on heavy duty rally shocks with double shocks fixed at each end and specialised engine management which would have definitely given them 30% boost in power." said Lohith.

"Though our vehicle was not fast but was very reliable. We had actually no difficulty in setting fast stage times, but lost because we missed the route. Malaysian rallies are famous for their hundreds of junctions and this rally was no different. Infact, we had passed more than 300 junctions in two days of rallying." added Moosa.

On day one they lost abour 9 minutes as a result of incorrect information on the route map and on day two they lost abour 4 minutes for overshooting 3 junctions. "It is very difficult to turn these big 4 X 4s around in those very narrow roads", said Lohith.

However, both said that it was a big experience as this format is not followed in India and driving 4 X 4s on blind tracks had improved their confidence level and were looking forward to get back and do better.

indmotorsport.com wishes them all the very best in their endeavours.

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