FMSCI MRF National Rally C’ship: Imran Pasha does it for TVS Racing

J. Imran Pasha finishes on top in the overall class, ahead of team-mate Samuel Jacob.

(L-R): Adnaan Ahamed, Imran Pasha and Samuel Jacob, the top three finishers overall. Photo: Special Arrangement

Team TVS Racing’s J. Imran Pasha tackled the tough terrains with ease to finish on top in the overall class of the Rally of Coimbatore, the fourth round of the FMSCI – MRF MoGrip National rally championship for two wheelers, in Palladam on Sunday.

The 21-year-old from Mysore did not enjoy a great start to the season but since then has fought his way back in the next three rounds in a brilliant manner. He started the day in a cautious manner as he was not quite clear with the route. But in the next two stages, he increased his speed as much as he could to gain command over his nearest rival and team-mate Samuel Jacob.

'Turning point'

He enjoyed a comfortable lead and looked set for a big win. It was here that he suffered a flat front tyre right into the fourth stage.

Imran lost about 17 seconds but he carried on boldly from there to finish the rally in style much to the joy of his team. “This is the turning point for me and I am glad that it came in Coimbatore which is my lucky venue,” said Imran.

“It was brilliant by our boys. What we expected we achieved. We have closed a great deal in points and looking forward to the next two rounds,” said Anand Hariharan, Team TVS rally manager.

• Overall: 1. J. Imran Pasha (TVS Racing); 2. Samuel Jacob (TVS Racing); 3. Adnaan Ahamed (Mangalore).
• Super bike Pro Expert: C-1: 1. Venu Ramesh Kumar (Coimbatore); 2. R. Vignesh (Chennai).
• Super Bike Expert: C-1A: 1. Badal Doshi (Mumbai); 2. Jatin Jain (Nagpur).
• C-2 130cc: 1. Noldin Thomas (Kochi); 2. Azeeb Mohammed (Kottayam); 3. P. Janardhanan (Bengaluru).
• C-3 165cc: K. Sasi Kumar (Coimbatore); 2. Ishaan Chandra (Mangalore); 3. Akshay Siddaramaiah (Bengaluru).
• C-4 260cc: 1. J. Imran Pasha (TVS Racing); 2. Samuel Jacob (TVS Racing); 3. Adnaan Ahamed (Mangalore).
• C-5 400cc: 1. Sudeep Kottary (Mangalore); 2. Mithun Gopal (Trivandrum); 3. K. Vikram (Coimbatore).
• C-6 550cc: 1. Suhail Ahamed (Bengaluru); 2. Arun Joy (Kochi); 3. Jeemon Antony (Kochi).
• C-7 Scooter class 210cc: 1. Syed Asif Ali; 2. Shamim Khan; 3. Pinkesh Thakkar (all from TVS Racing).
• C-8 Ladies: 1. Aishwarya Pissay (TVS Racing); 2. A. Ryhane Bee (Chennai); 3. Baishali Nath (Assam).
• C-9 (Star of Tamil Nadu): 1. Rakesh Kumar; 2. S. Vishnu Prakash; 3. Jaideep Joshi (all from Coimbatore).