Coimbatore INRC: Kadur, Gill the ones to watch out for

Kadur (co-driver Nikhil Pai), who has switched from Team Yokohama to ARKA Motorsports INRC this season, is hoping to make the best of the conditions. However, he is wary of the challenge from Team Mahindra Adventure’s Gill (Musa Sherif).

Two-time INRC champion Amittrajit Ghosh (Ashwin Naik) of Team Mahindra Adventure and Arjun Rao (Satish Rajagopal) of AR Racing are the other competitors to watch out for.

There is a fair grid of 32 cars in Coimbatore, India’s hotbed for motorsport. The event is being organised by the Coimbatore Auto Sports Club.

The total rally distance is 200Km and will be run in and around Kethanur, which is on the outskirts of Coimbatore. The total special stage distance is 71.40 kilometres with five gravel stages to compete on.

Following the shakedown on Saturday, Kadur told Motorsport.com: “The shakedown went well and we are about 1.5 seconds quicker on the MRF Tyres as compared to last year.

“However, we are still waiting for the car upgrades. Last year, things fell into place after the Delhi round. We hope to have some upgrades soon but our effort will be on scoring points,” he added.

“It is a challenge to compete against Gaurav. He is the best in the country and beating him is the target.

“Our car is set up perfectly. The stages are bigger, wider and quicker this year. But they are also rougher.

“Since we will be the first to start, there will be advantage in some parts, while it may not be to our advantage in others,” he felt.

Two-time and defending Asia-Pacific champion Gill said: “Our car is faster this year and we have moved to the 17 inch gravel tyres from MRF that have never been used but made specially for Mahindra.

“So, the overall grip is better than before.

“The average speeds are higher here. Last year, I clocked about 98Kmph, but this year, I see it crossing 100. We have to make the best of it in the morning.

“It is always a delight to come back to Coimbatore. The stages are twisty and fast. High speeds are possible, even about 180Kmph in some places,” he added.

Ghosh hoped to get back into the groove soon as he has not been in the car for seven months. "I will get into my rhythm soon," he said.

Clerk of the Course J Prithviraj said: “For the first time in Indian motorsport, we have an air ambulance to cope with any emergencies or contingencies.

“We have created artificial jumps at spectator points to get their adrenaline pumping,” he explained.

MRF FMSCI (INRC) 2017 schedule: