Daijiworld Media Network - Las Palmas

Las Palmas, Apr 27: Indian rally champion Dean Mascarenhas and co-driver Gagan Karumbaiah marked an impressive debut in the FIA World Rally Championship, finishing 7th in the WRC3 category at the 50th edition of Rally Islas Canarias 2026 held in Las Palmas.

Driving a Ford Fiesta Rally3 prepared by PH Sport, the Indian pair delivered a commendable performance in their first outing at this level. Competing against more powerful cars in higher categories, they secured 48th place overall while finishing among the top contenders in their class.

The rally, staged across the challenging tarmac routes of Gran Canaria, featured 18 demanding special stages. Despite facing brake issues early in the competition, the duo showed resilience, adapting to unfamiliar European conditions and steadily improving their pace. They completed over 301 kilometres of competitive distance with a total time of 3 hours, 41 minutes, and 50.6 seconds, including a 10-minute penalty.

For Mascarenhas, the experience extended beyond the final standings. The event served as a valuable learning platform, offering insights into car setup, tyre strategy, pace-note execution, and stage management at an international level. Karumbaiah, despite limited experience in WRC3, demonstrated composure and precision, contributing significantly to a clean finish.

This rally also marked their first international appearance with TSI Racing, following their victory in the Indian National Rally Championship in 2025. Backed by the technical expertise of PH Sport, the team managed the transition effectively and gained crucial experience.

Reflecting on the performance, Mascarenhas described the weekend as challenging due to changing weather and grip conditions but emphasized the importance of learning from every stage. Mohan Nagarajan, Chairman and Managing Director of Sidvin Energy Engineering, noted that the debut provided exactly the exposure and foundation needed for future appearances in WRC3.