CEAT Mumbai Xpress Autorickshaw Rally 2007

First Day – Chennai to Vellore, India – 5th August, 2007

Crashes and rollovers on the first day - every contestant reached Vellore

The CEAT Mumbai Xpress Autorickshaw Rally 2007 kicked off today with much excitement, as this incredible thirteen day rally right across southern India got under way. On the start line this morning were 32 teams of 72 participants, all crammed into their spectacularly decorated Autorickshaws, ready to begin an epic 1921km rally through mountains and monsoons, as they venture all the way from Chennai to Mumbai in this iconic vehicle of the Indian subcontinent.

The first stage set off from Chennai on Sunday 5th August at 8.30am local time with good weather conditions for the day ahead expected, and the race was opened by prominent local figures such as the Chief Guest for the day, Shri. K.V.S Murthy, the Additional Director General of Police in Tamilnadu. Not long after the rally was underway, the first crash of the event happened, with the American team ‘Smokey and the Pandit’ running straight into a wall after the start. “I think I wanted to break with the clutch” remarked the team’s driver, reflecting the challenge of learning to drive these unique vehicles, that every team was struggling with. Thankfully no-one was hurt in the accident, and the rickshaw was easily patched up and on its way again in no time.

The first challenge of the day’s 140 km route was to find a way out of Chennai. The 6-million-strong south Indian metropolis lacks any previous traffic-planning, and is notorious for its chaotic roads. "Forget European or American driving styles!" pointed out the rally's main organiser, Aravind Kumar Bremanandam. “Different rules apply here. The bigger you are, the more rights you have on the roads, so remember that you are small. Keep that in mind, and don't be scared to use your horn at every opportunity such as when you pass someone."

Along the way many of the autorickshaws started breaking down with various minor problems, and others simply ran out of fuel. The reality of traveling such vast distances in the humble autorickshaw was beginning to dawn on the participants and they were learning many lessons on avoiding accidents, putting the correct fuel mix together, and the limits of their vehicle. It made for a long day, as other participants were stopping to help out the stricken teams as they passed by, however this proved to allow the many different team-members to get to know one another and share their growing knowledge with one another.

In the early afternoon the rickshaw drivers visited the Madras Motor Sports Club Race Track to really test their vehicles to the limit. Usually used for Formula 3 racing, this was great fun for the participants as they sped round the circuit, attempting to find the racing line and more importantly keep their autorickshaw’s wheels on the road with their fellow teammates hanging onto the sides for balance. Most teams were still a bit nervous however after some of the crashes in the morning, however there were no incidents on the track and everyone enjoyed flying round and trying to overtake one-another.

The day’s events ended in Vellore with a heavy tropical shower at around 17:00 local time, but thankfully, most of the participants had managed to reach their hotel before the rain. In the evening, the Rotary Club of Vellore gave a reception in honour of the participants and everyone sat down to a nice meal, with last year's Rally Champion, Ian Bayles of Pukka Tuk Tuk thanking the Tamil people for their overwhelming hospitality. After the meal, the participants were still in the mood for a party, and proceeded to the bar for drinks well into the night to cap off an exhilarating first day.

Tomorrow the rally continues with a 200 km trip to India's hi-tech city, Banglore.

Pictures can be found here:

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The route:

The Indian Autorickhaw Challenge team is sending out a press release on a daily basis.

For more information Contact:
Aravind Bremanandam, Lead organizer
Phone: +91-44-421-43343
E-mail at:admin@indianarc.com