GULF MONSOON SCOOTER RALLY 29TH JULY 2007- MUMBAI

Manjit Bassan wins Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally

Former champion Manjit Singh Bassan, riding an LML Vespa, overcame tough conditions and a strong field to emerge triumphant in the Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally, organised by Sportscraft, on Sunday.

The event was flagged off from Our Lady’s Home, Dadar by Ravi Chawla, president Lubes Gulf Oil Corporation Ltd, at 8:30 a.m.
In a field of 30 rode, Bassan rode judiciously over the dirt tracts of Navi Mumbai to win the gruelling 50-km race in a timing of 38:24 seconds in penalties.

Another former champion Shamim Khan from Nashik, astride a Kinetic Marvel, was second in 39:41 seconds, while Badal Doshi from Navi Mumbai finished third with a timing of 40:41 seconds.

Shailendra Vilkhu and Avtar Singh Cheema –placed fourth and fifth respectively.

Having finished second and fourth respectively on Kinetic Marvel scooters, Shamim Khan and Shailendra Vilkhu were awarded special prizes by the manufacturer, which sponsored a few riders.

How good Manjit Singh was can be made out from the 1:17 seconds that separated him and second-placed rider Shamim.

The heavy rain that Mumbai experienced over the last few days made driving on the gravel-laden, winding course dicey. It was lucky that a competitive sector was cancelled because of water logging. Under the circumstances, riders had to exercise extreme control while negotiating the steep inclines and hairpin bends. Practically all of them took a tumble or two and some even damaged their scooters.

While all the participants performed admirably, only 24 of the 30 starters completed the rally.

Nikunj Gala was adjudged the best first timer and awarded the late Firdosh Vajifdar trophy for his spirited riding.

While Manjit Bassan won the overall title and topped in the 110 to 160 cc class, Shamim Khan bagged the honours in the 80cc to 110cc class. Badal Doshi won in upto 160 cc 4-stroke class.

Speaking after the rally, most of the riders wondered how the organisers were able to plot such a challenging course, which even utility vehicles would have found difficult to negotiate. One of them was candid enough to ask Shrikant Karani, the bossman of Sportscraft who chalked out the route, whether he used a helicopter for his reconnaissance. Whatever he used, there can be no gainsaying that it certainly was he perfect one for rallying!