Road cleared for WIAA rally

The Government of Maharashtra had asked the organisers of the rally to get the permission of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India. Aggrieved at this condition, the MAI and WIAA moved the High Court.

The writ petition was heard by Chief Justice BP Singh and Justice S Radhakrishnan. According to the release, “the court repeatedly asked the learned Counsel for the respondents as to under what provisions of law or authority of law only FMSCI is authorised to conduct motor rallies in India, as contended by the respondents. Unfortunately, the learned additional Advocate General is unable to point out any provision of law or such authority in law…Under the aforesaid facts and circumstances, we do hereby, quash and set aside the aforesaid letter dated 25th July, 2000 and direct the respondent to issue the necessary permission to hold the said WIA Monsoon Rally on 5th and 6th of August, 2000 imposing usual conditions regarding safety etc.”

THE RED ARMY FOR WIAA RALLY: Naren Kumar with D Ram who won the Group A (modified) and overall National Rally Championship for cars last year in the driver’s and navigator’s categories, will be seen in action in the WIAA Rally to be flagged off from Flora Fountain on Saturday in Mumbai at 9 a.m.

MRF have also sent Vijayant Choudhary, winner in 1999 driver’s national championship in Group N (unmodified category), N Leelakrishnan, winner of the National rally for six years (1987, 1990, 1991,1992, 1993, 1998), Arjun Balu (with R Kumar) and Sagar Muthappa (with Sandeep Rao).

The women’s team of Navaz Bhathena and Sherin Balachandran will be driving for the first time under the MRF colours while Anita and Jagat Nanjappa will make their debut in four wheeler category this year.