COUNTRY ROADS: Rallyists negotiate their way through rough terrain

Rallying as a sport has been climbing the popularity charts over the last few years, thanks to Narain Karthikeyan’s ascent to the Formula One circuit. However, it is not just about speed. It has more to do with endurance, skill and intelligent driving. And, if you are a rally enthusiast, gear up, for the season is just round the corner with the Kaviguru Rally scheduled for this month.

It is the Bengal Motor Sports Club (the eastern regional chapter of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India) that organises the three major events of the region ? the Kaviguru rally (Calcutta-Santiniketan-Calcutta), Monsoon rally (Calcutta-Jamshedpur-Calcutta) and the Kalinga rally (Calcutta-Bhubaneswar-Calcutta). There are national events such as the AirTel rally and even international ones like the Asean rally (Guwahati-Indonesia) that took place in November 2004.

How do you join a rally? You need not wait for years like Karthikeyan did before he could be a part of the Jordan team. All you need is a driving licence and a clean driving record. You pay an entrance fee (which is Rs 1,500 for four-wheelers and Rs 750 for two-wheelers for the Kaviguru rally) and, of course, bear your own fuel costs. The prize money can make up for all that. Last year, the Kaviguru rally offered a total packet of Rs 91,000 for four-wheelers and two-wheelers taken together. For national contests, it is much higher.

“Over the last five years, the number of contestants has been progressively rising. Last year we had about 25 participants, which is a high number in these parts,” says Pratim Choudhury, vice-president of the Bengal Motor Sports Club.

In a rally you don’t just set a scorching pace. The terrain won’t allow that. It is a long-distance affair that calls for calculated driving. Most rallies follow the time-speed-distance (TSD) format. Simply speaking, you must cover a given distance in a prescribed period of time driving at a recommended speed. There are undisclosed check-points throughout the route manned by marshals. Your speed and time will be recorded.

Points are deducted for straying from rules. The one with the least deductions wins the rally. “It’s more challenging than trying to beat your opponents just by driving fast,” says veteran rallyist Sanjay Arya.

But before you take to the roads it’s better to prepare. The Bengal Motor Sports Club organises workshops for aspiring participants in the lead-up to the major events. These are conducted by experts who give you tips and share “driving tricks” with you. You could be asked to go on a short, mock rally during which a camera detects driving errors.

Your car has to be in top shape and be reasonably powerful to withstand the rigors of the race. Rallyists normally use 1,000-cc vehicles and Maruti Esteem is the most commonly used one. Cars are often spruced up with additional equipment and accessories. A strong suspension is imperative and there is a wide range from which you can choose. You can instal a roll cage and a four-point harness seat-belt for more protection. “You should know the mechanics of your vehicle well. It gives you an edge,” says Chandrachud Bhattacharyya who won the eastern segment of the AirTel rally in May.

Mental and physical preparation is important as well, say experts. “Prior to a rally, drive your car as much as possible,” advises Arya who never attended workshops but “learnt on the job”. Bhattacharyya agrees. “Go out and practise on dirt tracks ? not just on metalled roads. On the former, your car behaviour changes dramatically,” he points out.

Look out for a good navigator who will guide you during the rally. “Remember, you need his guidance at every step for you can’t even be ahead of time,” says Bhattacharyya. And finally, try and get hold of a mentor. There’s apparently no better way to learn than being an apprentice to someone who has been through it all.

But while there are scores of expert rallyists, you will have to seek them out. Workshops are rarely held these days for want of sponsorships. But as Choudhury says, “A good driver always finds his way”.