THE FIFTH WAVE

Gaurav Gill takes his fifth win at the Popular Rally, Chetan Shivram takes the 2019 INRC crown!

- HARI KUDCHADKAR

OVER THE YEARS, THE CARS have gotten quicker, drivers have gotten smarter and the rallies, though shorter, retain the same Goddarn grit. From what we’ve seen and heard, the Karnataka 1000 or the ‘K 1000’ rally has always been a set of fast and exciting stages, even after the transition from asphalt to gravel. The 44th edition of the K 1000 rally was no less, with the drivers being able to push their limits on the faster stretches of dirt, but the mid forest stages were the proving grounds for the driver and co-driver duo. Chetan Shivram held his guard against Fabid Ahmed and Gaurav Gill in Bangalore but the Popular Rally was another story. Gill got off to a good start on day one in Kochi, winning two stages and earning a third place in one stage. Chetan, who had won the previous round in Coimbatore, was getting closer and closer after each stage. He finished on podium in stage two and three, with Bikku Babu taking one stage win on day one.