Athletics
Chikmagalur: Samir Thapar and co-driver Gurinder Singh Mann of JCT Rallying team, piloting a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, set the Coffee Day Rally on fire with a thrilling drive that saw him top the time sheets in the spectator Super Special Stage here today.
Veteran Thapar put to good effect all the benefits of a four-wheel drive as he deftly drifted the Evo through the corners and showcased the awesome speed of the car, much to the delight of the massive gathering at the Amber Valley school grounds.
Thapar clocked two minutes, 39.3 seconds over the 2.5 kms course. The compact Volkswagen Polo cars were as impressive with Sirish Chandran and Nikhil Pai of Slideways Industries topping in the INRC segment with a run of 02:45.3s that put him on top in both the overall and 1600cc classes.
Close behind Chandran was the 1600cc championship leader Arjun Rao and Satish Rajagopal, also in a Volkswagen Polo, clocking 02:45.7s.
Meanwhile, Vikram Mathias and Vivek Ponnusamy of Team Jungle Hut in a VW Polo, powered by 1.6 turbo-charged diesel engine and which is being tested for an entry next year, set a few hearts flutter as the former National champion clocked an impressive 02:45.7s.
The start grid was reduced to 38 after three more entries pulled out due to various reasons and the cars will head to the special stages that will be run tomorrow and day after.
( Source : PTI )
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