The Indian National Rally Championship returns to Kodagu after a gap of five years for the Rally of Coorg, but with thunderstorms lashing the region, the likelihood of the rally being run on Saturday and Sunday without any glitches appears unlikely.
The signs were ominous as the race stewards, who ran Friday’s reconnaissance under torrential rain, cancelled the 9.5-km long Woshully stage, meaning the two other Special Stages — Polibetta (6 kms) and Yemmegondi (13.40 kms) — will be run four times as opposed to running it three times as was originally planned. The Super Special Stage (Triple S) will be held on a 2.7-km enclosed circuit in Polibetta on Sunday.
However, if the stages take a beating from the rain on Friday night as well, then the stewards, who are expected to check the route at 6.00 am on Saturday, will be forced to cancel the Motorsports Inc-run event as well. “The first stage — after 3.2 kms — was not motorable. It was too rough and tight. Also, in case of emergency, it would be difficult even for an ambulance to reach the spot. Hence, we recommended the cancellation of the stage,” chief steward Zayn Khan said.
The rally will have three classes — Indian Rally Championship for Group A (modified) 4-wheel drive, Indian National Rally Championship for Group N (unmodified) cars (2000cc and 1600cc) and the Junior Indian National Rally Championship for drivers below 23 years of age.
If the rally does get the ‘go’ signal from the stewards, Mysore’s Lohitt Urs (navigator BS Sujith Kumar), who won the first round of the INRC held at the Siddhlaghatta track last month, will have his eyes set on extending his lead in the Group N class.
However, the prime attraction will once again be Zuhin A (navigator Musa Sherif), who is the lone entry in the Indian Rally Championship class driving a Group ‘A’ Subaru Impreza.
Even if the duo did disappoint during the Special Stages in the K-1000, they captivated the crowd with a stunning drive in the Triple S, and can once again be expected to put on a show.
source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Sports / Polibeta> DHNS / October 19th, 2012
