NewZNew (Chandigarh) : With the topmost names in the motorsport, the 7th Hero O&A- Autocross, Motocross and Off-Road Challenge is all set to take off from November 27-29 at GMADA ground in Mohali. Known for chiselled physique and good looks, Kartar Cheema from Punjabi Entertainment Industry too will take part in this mega event. Interestingly, the scooter category has also been added in this seventh edition and Rana Pratap who won the Raid-De-Himalaya in the same category will be competing here also.
Sharing his views with the media persons here today, Kartar Cheema said, “This is a good platform for the adventure lovers to display their skills and stamina. I would request all the motorsport enthusiasts to restrain from performing stunts on public roads putting their own and commuters’ lives in danger. They can always participate in such organised events to follow their passion”.
This three-day event boasts of longest dirt flat track in India with a tunnel and bridge cross. This is the only twin-track in the country with two vehicles racing together, starting from the same point but never meeting each other.
Adventurers from various parts of the country will be competing with each other. These include India’s foremost precision driver Sunny Sidhu from Chandigarh, Rahul Kanthraj of Bangalore, Delhi’s champions Sanjay Sikand, Bobby Bhogal and Phil Mathais, Abhishek Mishra from Bangalore, Parminder Thakur from Shimla and others. Top names from the region include Mohit Verma, Dr Dhirendra Singh, Harpreet Bawa, Harvinder Bhola and Harkaran Singh. Hero Racing’s nine Motocross champion riders from all over the country will also face the tough competition.
In the women’s category Sarika Sherawat Vohra, the longest-running Xtreme rallyist in the country is competing in the event along with new talent like Vaneeta Kang, Garima Avtra and Parul Aieren. The local Offroading club Gerrari Offroaders will be facing tough competition from Xtreme Offroaders Ludhiana, NIOC Delhi, Mudholics Jallandhar and several other players
The entries for the event opened on October 15, and the categories are already full with Auto cross getting 130 entries (till now), and will close at 140, Moto has got 87 entries (till now) and will close at 90, whereas off roading closes at 40.The event will run under the guidelines laid out by the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of India (FMSCI). This time too, the winners will walk away with cash prizes, certificates, merchandise and trophies. The safety partner of the event is Fortis Healthcare, whose paramedic team along with all first aid kits will be stationed at the venue.
Gulpreet Aulakh, COC of the event, said that the 7th Hero O&A Autocross, Motocross and Off-Road Challenge will be a test of the driver’s skill, and not just the power of his vehicle. “This motorsport extravaganza which features Autocross, Motocross and extreme off-Roading was conceptualised with an aim to give avenue to daring driving enthusiasts for sharing their passion and competing with like-minded people. Competitors will be taken through mud, steep slippery slopes, deep ruts, bridges gullies, and tunnels which will be mercilessly demanding and dangerous. ” said Aulakh, who is also the founder of Team Chandigarh Adventure Sports (TCAS).
Adding more to it, Co-Founder TCAS, Nikhil Jaspal said, “The difficulty quotient of the obstacles will increase at every level in this competition. The entire scoring will be automated and transparent. Timing of the contestants will be caught on electronic device this year to prevent any scoring lapses and will be accurate to the decimal point”.