Nashik’s Shamim Khan won the annual slush fest – the Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally – that concluded this weekend in Navi Mumbai, finishing the 35km race in 31 minutes and 59 seconds. Second position went to Pinkesh Thakkar of Team CEAT, who clocked 33 minutes and 45 seconds riding a Kinetic Honda. Third went to TVS Racing's Syed Asif Ali. He finished the race on a TVS Wego and a time of 33 minutes and 54 seconds.
The rally was flagged off from Belapur by Nilesh Garg – Channel Sales Head, Gulf Oil Lubricants. Forty riders battled steep inclines, hairpins and water-logged stretches over gravel and mud to partake in the rally. Only 36 riders managed to scrape through to the finish line including many first-timers. Manjeet Singh Bassan, who has been winning the Rally on his LML Vespa scooter, won the 111cc-160cc class with a timing of 35 minutes and 37 seconds. Mohammed Ali Khan from Bhopal won the rookie award for his spirited riding and overall fourth position to take home the late Firdosh Vajifdar trophy.
The Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally is the only scooter dedicated rally held annually in Mumbai by the FMSCI and is an excellent learning platform for newbies who would want to explore the world of motorsport in India.
