MRF returns to Indian rally scene

Promoters Ramakrishna Race Performance Management (RRPM) announced MRF Tyres as key sponsor for the Indian Rally Championship (IRC), Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) and Indian National TSD Rally Championship (INTSDRC) for 2016.

The Indian tyre manufacturer is making a return to the Indian rally scene after a gap of five years, it last run as a team during 2011 season.

Along with MRF, Mahindra Adventure, Polaris and Kolkata-based Pincon Group were also revealed as sponsors for the forthcoming year.

At the flag-off event in Mumbai, FMSCI President Zayn Khan said: “I am very happy that RRPM is promoting the INRC and IRC this season.

"Rallying has suffered from a lack of full fledged support from sponsors and promoters for a few years and now I think I can safely say that it seems behind us," he added.

Tamosha Dutta, Director, RRPM commented: “MRF is already an active promoter and supporter of motorsports with a number of initiatives in the domestic and international arena.

"We are excited that MRF has consented to be a partner and we are confident that this will be the start of a long relationship," she added welcoming Pincon, Mahindra and Polaris.

North round shifted, finale date changed

Also the final calendar was released with few changes from the earlier version revealed back in May. The new calendar see the North round shifted from Noida to Gurgaon in September.

Other changes see the finale date being pull forward by a week after Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) changed the Rally of India date to the weekend of December 3-5.

Also the Rally of Nashik has been pushed to August 27-28 from the earlier date of August 21-22.

Calendar for 2016 season:

Round	Venue	Date	Stage Type
1	Coimbatore	July 23-24	Gravel
2	Nasik	August 26-27	Tarmac
3	Gurgaon	September 17-18	Gravel
4	Bangalore	November 26-27	Gravel
5	Chikmagalur	December 3-5	Gravel