Rustom Patel wins Gulf autocross

Rustom Patel was the toast of the day in the Gulf Autocross for two-wheelers, sponsored by Gulf Oil Corporation Ltd. and organised by Sportscraft, at the Godrej grounds in Vikhroli, Mumbai, on Sunday.

The diminutive champion rider from Mumbai won five classes, including one for scooters, to ride away with the title of 'Gulf Fastest Rider of the day' beating the Pune rider Pinkesh Thakkar by a fraction of a second, to be precise 0.79 seconds.

He was given a stiff fight all the way by Badal Doshi, who won three classes, but his carefree riding and control over the many sharp bends along the course won him the day.

Autocross is a time trial exercise in the finer nuances of driving, where the rider is timed to the hundredth of a second. While this branch motor sport tests one's skills in competition on a specially laid out course, the idea behind the event is to educate the rider in the safety aspect of driving.

Rustom kick-started the day's proceedings, winning the 80cc to 110cc class (4-stroke) for motorcycles. Riding a TVS Victor, he was home in 2 minutes, 21.06 seconds, well ahead of Sudesh Parkar and Gyani Shukla, both on TVS Victors, who finished second and third in 2:27.67 and 2:31.44 seconds respectively.

Then, after Badal Doshi won the 110cc to 125cc class (4 stroke) for motorcycles, on a Yamaha YBX, Rustom, riding a Suzuki Fiero, was back in the limelight as he breezed around the serpentine track to win the 125cc upto 160cc (4-stroke) class in 2:15.44 seconds. Pune riders Pinklesh Thakker and Snehal Chauhan placed second and third respectively.

Two victories to the good, there was no stopping Mumbai's best known two-wheeler champion as he went on to win the 100c upto 160 class for scooters (riding a LML Vespa), and above 160 upto 250cc (4-stroke) and 80cc upto 150cc (2-stroke) classes for motorcycles. Riding a TVS Shaolin in 80cc upto 150cc class Rustom came up with the best time of the day - 2:13.17 seconds.

But the race of the day was the 160 upto 250cc class. It saw Rustom and Badal in a close contest that had the good compliment of spectators at the edge of their seats till the finish. Rustom, riding a Karizma, generated calculated bursts of speed and exercised precision control as he went around the gravel laden, dusty course to clock 2:13.75 seconds. Badal, riding a Bajaj Pulsar, was home in only 2:28. 85.

Though it is not easy to effect sharp turns on a scooter, particularly in muddy conditions, it must be said that most scooterists came through the exercise admirably.

Among the ladies, Shernaz Patel, riding a Kinetic Honda, was the best. She showed she was as competent as some of the men riders while winning the 80cc upto 110cc scooters class for women.

In sum, it was an event to remember for two-wheeler riders. Most of the riders experienced driving in competition for the first time, yet they had nothing to complain about, despite no prize-money at stake. If anything, there was only appreciation from them.

Now, having learnt that they are capable of giving some of the best a good run for their money, some of them are planning to enter the Gulf Dirt Track Championship, which will be held in five stages at various places in the country, with the first coming up in Managalore.

Final results: