The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Motor : INRC's Coimbatore leg called off

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Sport

Sport - Racing : Motor

INRC's Coimbatore leg called off

Sports Reporter

COIMBATORE: The third round of the Indian National Rally Championship, Mill and Monsoon Rally, which was scheduled from June 9 to 11, has been called off for want of sponsors.

"It costs around Rs. 6 lakh to run a decent rally. We tried corporate houses for support but nobody was willing to chip in," said Sajeev M. Rajan of Spitfire Motorsports, the organisers. By pulling out of the championship, Spitfire now stands to lose its deposit money of Rs. 1 lakh.

"We had planned the super special stages at the Kari Motor Speedway and the rest outside Coimbatore. A lot of hard work had gone into it because we were hosting the event after four years," explained Sajeev.

The Coimbatore leg had been considered as one of the best in the circuit when the city played host a few years ago. "The top drivers loved driving here. It was because of their constant persuasion that we decided to stage the show this year," said Spitfire director C. Rajaram.

"But it's expensive than any other rally as two thirds of the roads have to be relaid for the stages. However, we were confident of meeting the expenses. We completed the survey and appointed field supervisors but just when we were about to start the bulldozing, came the disappointing news," he added.

The news must be very disappointing for rally giants Team MRF and JK Tyre as their workstations are situated in Coimbatore. Both teams were eagerly looking forward to the Coimbatore leg.

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