Mandovi Racing’s Aroor Arjun Rao secured his second straight win in this year’s Blueband FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship (INRC), surviving challenging conditions to win the Rally of Arunachal.

With frontrunners like Gaurav Gill and Amittrajit Ghosh encountering issues, Sheshank Jamwal took a surprise second place in an INRC3-spec Volkswagen Polo. Completing the podium was Dr Bikku Babu, an INRC2-spec Polo.

1. Aroor Arjun Rao claims second straight win
2. Gaurav Gill drops down order after penalty

The 2023 INRC kicked off earlier this year with the South India Rally, which was won by Rao and co-driver Satish Kumar Rajagopal. For Round 2, the championship made its way to Arunachal Pradesh for the Rally of Arunachal.

The event saw a total of 51 entries. Heavy rainfall resulted in several stages either being cancelled or tweaked, but it was also the ultimate test of car control. Driving a Mahindra XUV300, Amittrajit Ghosh (co-driver Ashwin Naik) set the pace early on and was leading the rally until electrical issues forced him to retire on Stage 9.

Seven-time national champion and three-time APRC champion Gaurav Gill then assumed the lead and went on to win the next two stages. But mechanical issues resulted in a delayed start, for which he was given a penalty. This handed the lead to Rao, who made sure he avoided any costly errors in the tricky conditions. Driving a rally-prepped Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Rao crossed the finish line to take a clean sweep so far in the championship.

Interestingly, it was an INRC3 car that finished second overall, with Sheshank Jamwal behind the wheel. Dr Bikku Babu took victory in the INRC2 category and also finished third overall. Abhin Rai, Arnav Pratap Singh won in the INRC4 and Junior INRC categories, respectively, while Anushirya Gulati won in the Women’s Class.

2023 INRC Round 2 results

Overall

1. Aroor Arjun Rao, Satish Kumar Rajagopal (Mandovi Racing) – 1hr 03:17.800mins
2. Sheshank Jamwal, Aseem Sharma (Arka Motorsports) – 1hr 04:35.900mins
3. Dr. Bikku Babu Milen George (Chettinad Sporting) – 1hr 04:44.000mins

INRC2

1. Dr. Bikku Babu Milen George (Chettinad Sporting)
2. Philippos Matthai, Murthy P.V.S (Arka Motorsports)
3. Chetan Shivram, Shiv Prakash (Snap Racing)

INRC3

1. Sheshank Jamwal, Aseem Sharma (Arka Motorsports)
2. Arnav Pratap Singh, Arjun SSB (Ammyfied Rallying)
3. Jahaan Gill, Suraj Keshava Prasad (Snap Racing)

INRC4

1. Abhin Rai, D Uday Kumar (Ammyfied Racing)
2. Ruthuparna Vivek, Sanjay Agarwal (Snap Racing)
3. Phoebe Nongrum, Dr. Dinesh S (Ammyfied Rallying)

Junior INRC

1. Arnav Pratap Singh,  Arjun SSB (Ammyfied Rallying)
2. Jahaan Gill, Suraj Keshava Prasad (Snap Racing)
3. Mohommed Sahil, Eldo Chacko (Ammyfied Rallying)

Women’s Class

1. Anushriya Gulati, Arjun Dheerendra (Dark Don Rallying)
2. Shivani Parmar, Dr. Vani Parmar (Chettinad Sporting)
3. Nikeetaa Takkale, Venu Rameshkumar (Ammyfied Rallying)

Gypsy Class

1. Samrat Yadavm Arvind Dheerendra (Ammyfied Rallying)
2. Aman Preet Ahluwalia, Amber Udasi
3. Baljindar Singh Dhillon, Goutham CP