Ahead of Women’s Day on March 8, the second iteration of the Western India Automibile Association (WIAA) Women’s Rally is set to begin on Sunday, March 6, 2016 and will be flagged off from the Sahara Star hotel near the Mumbai domestic airport at 7am. The rally will be flagged of by the Valsa Nair Singh,principal secretary, tourism and culture, government of Maharashtra.
The rally will run along a predetermined course with fixed waypoint markers and will conclude at Aamby Valley where the participants will be able to enjoy a host of activities provided before setting off back to Mumbai. The rally results will be judged on a point-based system and not outright speed – with the minimum points earned throughout the course based on time, distance and speed, adjudged the winner.
This year, there will be over 240 cars and 1,000 women participating this year with the senior-most participant being 77-year-old veteran rally driver Katie Bhathena, who will be the first to be flagged off at the event.
The course and participants will be monitored by a team of marshals who will be collaborating with the police to provide for the safety and security of the participants. Ambulances and breakdown services will also be provided through the length of the event. Furthermore, participants will be provided with a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit.
The results of the event will be announced on March 7 with a prize ceremony and dinner to be held on March 8 at the Sahara Star hotel.
Unnatee Gidithuri
Dinshaw Magol
