Mazdayar, Dhruva, Jahaan clinch honours in HDFC Bank Accelerate Time Attack 2021

Pune: Hyderabad’s Mazdayar Vatcha and Bangalore’s Dhruva Chandrashekar were the star performers in the HDFC Bank Accelerate Time Attack 2021 held in Pune over the weekend, claiming the coveted Time Attack Open titles on Day 1 and Day 2.

Ace rallyist Dhruva (DC Motorsports) was easily the fastest driver over the two days, clocking an amazing 03:06.8 minutes in his Rally Volkswagen Polo. Mazdayar too wowed the sizable holiday crowd, recording a best time of 03:13.3 minutes. Both won multiple trophies to make it a memorable autocross.

Among amateurs, 19-year-old Jahaan Singh Gill (Chetan Shivram Motorsports) was the most impressive. He not only won as many as four winner’s trophies over the weekend in this class but also took home 10 trophies in the professional class, including two as a winner.

Jahaan also recorded the second-fastest overall time (03:10.1) to announce his arrival on the motorsports scene.

“This was the first big event in Pune since the Covid pandemic hit the country. “We are thankful to all the participants who made this a tremendous success,” said 2019 INRC champion Chetan Shivram, who runs the Motorsports Academy.

As many as 180 competitors, including close to 15 women, took part over the two days, making it a record entry in Pune. Racers from Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Mumbai, Nashik and Indore were seen in action.

Also taking part was Sanjana Takale, daughter of Sanjay Takale, the 2013 Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) Production Cup Champion.

The last time when this event was held in Pune, Sanjana too took part and had finished second then.

‘Time Attack is part of FMSCI’s efforts to promote motorsports at the grassroots level. We are motivated to do more after seeing the enthusiasm among the people,” Farokh Commissariat of Indian Automotive Racing Club, the organisers, said.

In the ladies categories, Nikeetaa Takkale and Khyati Mody (High Velocity) took the titles in the professional categories. Nikeetaa also emerged victorious among amateurs on both days.

Key results:

Day 1:

Time Attack Open: 1. Mazdayar Vatcha; 2. Dhruva Chandrashekar; 3. Jahaan Singh Gill

Pro-Ladies: 1. Nikeetaa Takkale; 2. Shivani Parmar; 3. Khyati Mody

SUV Open: 1. Sanjay Lall; 2. Pradeep Nair; 3. Sayeed Sheikh

Upto 2000 cc:  1. Jahaan Singh Gill; 2. Dhruva Chandrashekar; 3. Mazdayar Vatcha

Upto 1400 cc: 1. Ravinder Singh Assi ; 2. Shivani Parmar; 3. Abhinay Virkud

Day 2:

Time Attack Open: 1. Dhruva Chandrashekar 03; 2. Jahaan Singh Gill; 3. Mazdayar Vatcha

Rally cars: 1. Dhruva Chandrashekar 3:06.8; 2. Jahaan Singh Gill; 3. Khyati Mody

Pro-Ladies: 1. Khyati Mody; 2. Nikeetaa Takkale; 3. Shivani Parmar

Up to 1400 cc: 1. Jeet Tapaswi; 2. Abhinay Virkud; 3. Sanjay Lall

Up to 1100 cc: 1. Ravinder Singh Assi; 2. Iftheqhar Ahmed; 3. Abhinay Virkud Diesel Cars: 1. Pradeep Nair; 2. Nikeetaa Takkale; 3. Mazdayar Vatcha