Date:12/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/12/stories/2008061252512000.htm

Sport - Racing : Motor

A lacklustre start to INRC

BANGALORE: The Indian National Rally Championship seems to be losing its sheen. First, JK Tyre dropped out after wrangling with the administrators. Team MRF, after dominating the scene for a couple of years, too has withdrawn from the first leg of the 2008 INRC citing irreconcilable differences.

Over the last decade, motor racing enthusiasts have bemoaned the lack of growth in the sport.

The long standing feud between Motorsports Association of India (MAI) and the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) has been a stumbling block to the growth of the sport.

The first leg of the INRC 2008 will commence at Mysore on Friday with a depleted field of just three cars in the highest class, the Group N + category.

Two of the drivers will don the colours of the new Racing Team, Red Roosters, while Lohith Urs of Team MRF will compete as a privateer.

The Sidvin Rally of Karnataka has a line-up of over 40 cars across all categories. — Special Correspondent