KJ Jacob and Shanmuga triumph at Rally of Hyderabad

Big guns topple as INRC returns to Hyderabad after 17 years

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KJ Jacob and co-driver Shanmuga SN from Arka Motorsports bagged their maiden big victory as they became the Overall winners of the Rally of Hyderabad, the fourth round of the Blueband Sports fmsci Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) 2023 which concluded at Sanghi Nagar, near Ramoji Film City, on Oct 29. INRC retumed to Hyderabad after a gap of 17 years.

Thrissur's KJ Jacob, who made his debut in the INRC in 2015 at K1000 rally in Bengaluru, took his first Overall victory. Ably assisted by codriver Shanmuga of Bengaluru, the duo driving an INRC2 spec Volkswagen Polo 1.6 punched above their weight. Hyderabad's tough terrain and, the longest special stage among the current rally venues in, India, proved daunting as the top-three in both the INRC1 and INRC2 and many overnight leaders, fell by the way side in the final stage on Sunday. Of the eight premier-class cars, driven by top guns in the country, only Younus Ilyas finished the punishing course.

Vishakh Balachandran and Anil Abbas and young turk Arjun Rajiv and Rohit Gowda, both driving the lower INRC3 spec Polo 1.6 cars finished Overall second and third, respectively. Jacob and Shanmugha also won the INRC2 class while Vishakh and Anil took the INRC3 victory.

Vivek Ruthuparna and co-driver Athreya Kousgi won the INRC4 while talented Pragathi Gowda and Trisha Alonkar bagged the Ladies class. Baljinder Singh Dhillon and Goutham CP won the Gypsy class. 

Day1:

 Aroor Arjun Rao, multiple title winner Gaurav Gill and defending champion Karna Kadur failed to finish on the first day. It was interesting to note that the top six Overall finishers of the day were all from lower INRC2 and INRC3 classes.