Gancim (Goa), July 25 (IANS): Defending champion Gurmeet Virdi (co-driver Kirpal Singh Tung), representing Gerrari Offroaders Chandigarh, took the lead with 390 points out of 500 after the conclusion of the first five stages of the off-road Force Gurkha RFC rally here on Tuesday.
Veteran rallyist Jagat Nanjappa of V5 Offroaders from Coorg was at the second position with 355 points.
Siddartha Santhosh from Bangalore Offroaders Development Association (BODA) was at the third spot with 298 points after the declaration of results for the first day.
They were followed by Sanbir Singh Dhaliwal from Gerrari Offroaders Chandigarh with 237 points and Vivek Thomas Kuriakosse of Team BODA with 202 points at the fourth and fifth positions respectively.
Interestingly, this is the first time in the history of RFC India that no international driver has managed to be in the top 5 positions on Day 1.
The six-day event which ran till 1:30 in the morning, was held at an off-road hinterland at Xenem in Gancim (Goa) with 38 teams attempting the five stages.
A harsh terrain made it difficult for participants to tackle and conquer it, which resulted in all the stages continuing till late into the night.