Source – Instagram
Gaurav Gill won four of the rally’s six stages, dominating this edition of the INRC.
Gaurav Gill delivered a stunning performance at the Rally of Hyderabad, marking his triumphant win at the fourth round of the 2024 Indian National Rally Championship (INRC). Behind the wheel of a JK Tyre-powered Ford Fiesta Rally 4, the decorated rally driver showcased his mastery over the Hyderabad course, reminding everyone why he is regarded as one of India’s motorsport giants. Gill, a seven-time national rally champion and three-time Asia Pacific Rally Championship winner, commanded the track with an assertive display of speed and skill, securing a comfortable victory alongside his co-driver, Aniruddha Rangnekar. The duo’s remarkable teamwork and precision saw them winning four out of the rally’s six stages, leading the event from start to finish.
With a final margin of 1 minute and 20 seconds over their nearest rivals, Gill and Rangnekar’s victory in Hyderabad marked their first win since their success at the 2023 South India Rally, where they took top honors in the Asia Pacific round of the championship. This latest win reaffirms Gill’s undiminished prowess and sets him up as a strong contender for the rest of the season. The Rally of Hyderabad demanded both power and finesse, with challenging terrains testing every competitor’s skill. Gill’s JK Tyre-powered Ford Fiesta Rally 4 handled these challenges impeccably, delivering performance that matched the demands of the seasoned champion.
The competition proved tough, with Chetan Shivram, along with his co-driver Shivaprakash, securing a strong second-place finish overall. Shivram not only made it to the podium but also claimed victory in the INRC2 category, proving his consistent form throughout the rally stages. Close on their heels, Fabid Ahmer and his co-driver Milen George rounded off the top three overall finishers, while also taking the runner-up spot in INRC2. Meanwhile, Jason Saldana and co-driver Thimu claimed the third podium position within INRC2, adding yet another impressive result to a closely contested category.
In the INRC3 and JINRC categories, Arnav Pratap Singh and his co-driver Rohit put on a powerful display, taking the top spot and recording competitive times that even challenged some of the faster cars in the lineup. Darius Shroff, alongside co-driver Arjun, clinched the second position in INRC3, while Arjun Rajiv and his co-driver Vinay completed the podium for INRC3 and earned the runner-up spot in JINRC, underlining their steady progress across the stages.
The women’s category saw spirited performances, with Anushriya Gulati emerging as the winner, co-driven by Karan, in a demonstration of skill and resilience. Nikeetaa Takkale, with co-driver Arvind, and Phoebe Nongrum, teamed with Arvind KP, took second and third places, rounding off an inspiring set of performances that highlighted the growing competitiveness within the women’s category of the INRC.
As the season progresses, attention now shifts to the picturesque terrains of Coorg, where the next round of the INRC is set to unfold between November 22 and 24. With Gill and Rangnekar’s recent Hyderabad success revitalizing the competition, rally fans can expect an intense battle in the misty hills of Coorg, where every driver will be eager to make their mark on the national stage.
