Maruti Suzuki organised a women’s car rally in Pune on July 6 with an aim to strengthen women’s participation in motorsports in India. 

 

Eighty-two teams driving Maruti Suzuki cars participated in the ‘Time Speed Distance’ based rally which was spread over a 120km route in and around the city of Pune. The participants were given a navigation book, and much like any other Time Speed Distance rally, the navigator had to constantly calculate the time based on speed and distance figures given in the book, and accordingly guide the driver. The route also had hidden check points to ensure that the participants didn’t take a shorter route, or go above the pre-described speed. 

 

Archana Khinvasara, driving a Maruti Suzuki Ritz, along with navigator Vivek Khinvasara emerged as the overall winners of the rally. They were followed by Priya Joshi (navigator Vrushal Joshi) in a WagonR. 

 

On the occasion, Manohar Bhat, vice president, marketing, Maruti Suzuki said, “Maruti Suzuki has been associated with motorsports for over two decades. Each year, we have seen increasing interest from women motorsports enthusiasts. The women car rally is a good opportunity for women motorsport enthusiasts to gauge their preparedness for some bigger rallies – like Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya, Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm and Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare.”