Bangalore: The Karnataka Motorsports Club announces the launch of the historic 40th edition of the K-1000 Rally. The rally stands as the oldest running rally in the country and the 3rd oldest rally in the world.
Bharath Raj, Chairman of the KMSC said "We are proud to present the IMG K 1000 RALLY for the 40th year (without a break). The KMSC was started in 1959 and has always had a strong team of people running various events for the last 64 years, encompassing Racing (Agram circuit & Kolar Classics), Autocross, Motocross, Supercross, Hill Climbs, Drag meets and of course Rallies. The K 1000 RALLY was called so because it started as a TSD Rally, run over a distance of 1600 kms, across 3 states. But with the advent of modern cars, better talent in competition, we decided to adhere to the WRC format of Stage Rallying. We hope this year's event brings as much excitement and joy to its numerous fans".
The IMG K 1000 Rally 2014 is amongst the most eagerly anticipated rallies on the INRC calendar attracting some of the finest talent to Karnataka. Being the oldest running rally, it is definitely amongst the most prestigious. To commemorate the 40th edition of the K-1000, the KMSC have pulled out all the stops in making this a spectacular event.
Expanding further on the overall running of the event and safety precautions taken by the officials to ensure a safe rally for everyone, along with unveiling the team line up for the 2014 edition was Mr. Shivu Shivappa, President of the KMSC, he said - "The Rally Head Quatres will be situated at Hotel Fairfield by Marriott, where the documentation & pre-event scrutiny procedures will be completed on November 20 & 21, before moving temporarily to the Service Park at Doddaguni, Gubbi, during the Special Stages. The cars will be given a ceremonial flag-off at the Orion Mall. A first ever floodlit Super Special Stage (SSS) has been setup within city limits at the NICE Grounds, BIEC, to the mark the 1st Leg and start of the rally. The Rally will be flagged off from Hotel Fairfield by Marriott on November 22 & 23,in the morning. The cars will return to the Rally HQ for the podium & prize presentation ceremony at 4 pm on Sunday November 23, 2014".
To highlight the evolution and development of rallying in India over the years which includes not only a marked development in the rally cars but also in technical equipment was Praneet Perumal, COC, 40th K-1000 Rally 2014, presented a technical overview of the event and explained the various technological equipment that will be used across all stages of this year's rally, he said "This year the IMG K 1000 RALLY will be conducted in the areas around K B cross, the service park & rally base or command center is located at Doddaguni, Gubbi which is centrally located around the special stages to have a better logistic control.
There are three stages Alpha stage 12.75 kms, Beta stage 14.95 kms & India mines stage 9.55 kms all these stages are a complete test for man & machines and will bring out the best among the drivers.
The stages are well laid out which consists of long straights, hair-pin curves, smooth flat sections, jumps and tight sections, thereby testing the driver and machine to their limits, we can assure you a wonderful & competitive rally.
There SSS at BIEC grounds on Friday will start at 7 pm, where the cars will be run on a 1.2 kilometers circuit which is basically to show case how the stages are at K B Cross.
We have state of the art timing systems from electronic timing system, which is as per International specifications and is on par, to APRC & WRC standard
We have also incorporated the LIVE TRACKING for all competing cars, each car will be fitted with a transponder and hence we will be able to visually see the cars on a screen at rally base this is to enhance safety & medical procedures in case of any unfortunate problem and will also reduce our reaction time an unfortunate incident.
We also carry a complete Extrication Kit, on special vehicles, which can be deployed in a short time, these equipment are also as per the international standards.
Apart from all of the above we have the ham/radio communication employing, almost 30 experienced personnel on the route giving us info on all cars en route.
The IMG K-1000 Rally 2014 brings with it a great sense of pride and passion among the motorsport enthusiasts in the state and has a nostalgic element to it that transcends generations. Looking to leave their mark on the trail as so many others before them are a string of last year's winners across various classes who have once again enlisted themselves for this year's edition as well, the premier prize winning team of Amitrajit Ghosh and Ashwin Naik along with the winners of the SUV category and reigning APRC champions Gaurav Gill and Musa Sheriff will look to follow up last year's impressive performances with another victory.
The IMG K 1000 Rally 2014, is Presented by Mahindra Adventure, in association with Fairfield by Marriott, Orion Mall, Radio Indigo 91.9, Sansera Engineering & Yokohama Tyres. The event will not be possible without their support.
