Media Release

Mangaluru, Jun 30: The eighth edition of the country’s only monsoon motor rally ‘Mahindra Monsoon Challenge’ was flagged off ceremoniously at Bharat Mall on Friday, June 29. As many as 38 teams all driving Mahindra vehicles set off from the ramp of the mall towards the rugged roads of west coast combined with rugged terrain of the foothills of the Western Ghats. Commissioner of Police T R Suresh waved the flag to the first few vehicles.

Richard Rodrigues, dealer for Mahindra Vehicles (Karnataka agencies) on the coast, Bijoy Kumar Y chief of the Mahindra Adventure initiative, ace international rallyist from India Ashwin Naik, FMSCI president Moosa Sherief, and Dr Prasad Hegde chairman of the Pana Group of Institutions, Mangaluru also participated in the flag off ceremony.

Being the eighth edition the organisers have added a fifty kilometer night section for those who opt for it. The total prize money is to the tune of Rs. 3.5 lac. The 600 kilometer rally passes through some of the breath-taking sectors but equally treacherous stretches. The rallyists will have to brave the severe monsoon rains that is sweeping the Western coast. The Mahindra Adventure initiative had three rounds of recee on the route and have even charted couple of alternative routes in case of unassailable blockages of the original routes.

All the vehicles from the Mahindra stables are taking part that includes XUVs, TUVs and the dashing Thars. There were three all women team participating 2 teams of couples which is the highlight of the event.

Speaking to presspersons Ashwin Naik said the Mahindra monsoon challenge is the first rally in India to be held during the monsoons which makes it unique in the country. He thanked the Mahindra Adventure Initiative for the encouragement the company has extended to motoring.