It’s the rainy season, and time for the Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally. This Gulf Oil Corporation event, organized by Sportscraft, has become enormously popular over the years and is one two-wheeler riders from Mumbai and neighboring cities like Pune, Nashik and Kolhapur look forward to.
On July 17, Sportscraft will conduct its 22nd edition of the event and needless to say, some of the best riders will be seen in action.
Leading the challenge is defending champion Shamim Khan and five-time champion Manjit Singh Bassan. This year too the battle for honors is likely to be between the aforementioned two. But there are many, including another former champion Rustom Patel, who lost out narrowly to Shamim Khan last year, and the likes of Kunal Rao, Tarak Daiya, Ganesh Lokhane, Freddy Elavia who could upset the calculations of the favorites.
The rally will be flagged off from Our Lady’s Home, Parel, Mumbai at 08.30 am and finish at K Star Hotel CBD Belapur. Sportscraft has chalked out a 75 km course, which will have two sectors -- competitive and transport. The competitive sector is around Targhar village, Navi Mumbai, which comprises of gravel-laden dirt tracks, rivulets etc. and is around 23 km.Twenty-five riders have confirmed participation and another ten are expected by the closing date for entries. They will all be vying for trophies and cash prizes. With heavy rain expected to lash Mumbai around the time of the rally, this rally it is sure going to be tough one.
