INRC 2019: Popular Rally to be held as scheduled

The fourth round of the Indian National Rally Championship for cars will be held in Kochi in November, as scheduled, despite the unfortunate incident involving Gaurav Gill.

File Photo: Gaurav Gill was involved in an accident that killed three villagers, earlier in the week.

After the unfortunate incident involving Gaurav Gill earlier in the week, rumour mill cast doubts over whether the Champions Yacht Club — FMSCI Popular Rally, the fourth round of the Indian National Rally Championship for cars scheduled for Kochi in November, will be held.

But Vamsi Merla, the INRC promoter, cleared the air, announcing it will be held as scheduled. “It’s a long way to go but there’s no question of calling off the Kochi event. I have been in touch with the organisers and they assured me that everything is in the right place,” he said.

“We are right now at the stages in the Kottayam region and have been explaining to the people about the rally. We have also been issuing notices to its residents,” George Varghese, of Southern Adventures and Motorsports, the organisers of the Rally, said.

“There will be spectator control marshals every 750m. They will be the locals as they have a better interaction and understanding,” he added.

Varghese, the former driver and navigator of several national rallies, also pointed out that there will be banners across the area enlisting the dos and don’ts of the event. “We have given letters to all authorities concerned and have also explained to them about how the event will be run. They they sounded highly positive and it will be run as scheduled.”