Shamin aiming for hat-trick of titles in Gulf monsoon scooter rally

Mumbai, June 22 (UNI) Shamim Khan of Nasik will be looking to complete a hat-trick of titles in the 16th Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally to be held in Mumbai on June 24-25.

The event, sponsored by Gulf Oil Corporation Limited and organized by Sportscraft, is being held under the aegis of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India.

Khan, who placed second last year, is expected to face tough challenge from defending champion Manjeet Singh Bassan of Thane and Mumbai's Rustom Patel.

Patel, in particular, will be looking for revenge as he was stripped of the title last year after wining the race after it was detected during the post-event scrutiny that he had made a minor modification on his scooter.

In addition to Bassan and Patel, seasoned two-wheeler racing campaigners Nilesh Thakre, Kunal Rao, Afzal Khan and Ganesh Lohkhande are expected to give Khan a strong challenge.

Then there is also Harshal Gadkari, Umesh Rane and Freddy Elavia.

All the daredevils on two-wheelers and have it in them to upset the defending champion's applecart. But in the end all will boil down to riding skills and the dependability of the vehicle.

If the rains are heavy, then the riders are in for a tough time.

Those who participated last year know well enough how difficult it was to negotiate the slushy, boulder-laden course plotted by organisers Sportscraft.

It is also interesting to note that Business Standard a prominent auto magazine is also entering one rider Shreenand Sadhale, twelve riders will be astride Kinetic Honda scooters, while five will be riding LML, two Bajaj and seven on Honda Scooter.

Thirty riders have already confirmed participation for the about 65-km event, of which 26-km would be on the competitive sector, which will be run along the backwoods of Nerul, Vashi and Belapur.

The riders will be flagged off at Our Lady's Home, opposite Hindmata Cinema, Dadar, at 0830 hrs and then proceed to Vashi which most of the competitive sector will be held before finishing at K Stars Hotel at Sector 11 CBD Belapur New Mumbai.

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