Are you up for the Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally?

Scooter fans are in for a treat when the annual Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally returns next month. The 28th edition of the premier scooter event in the city is more significant this year, considering it could well turn out to be its last edition. The rally will be held on July 1 and 2 along the backwoods of Navi Mumbai.

“It could well be the last edition as the Panvel International airport is coming up. The track may not be available in the same state from next year. Also, I have checked many alternate routes near Dombivali, Bhiwandi and Igatpuri but none suffices our requirements. The Igatpuri one is good but too slippery for a scooter rally,” rued Shrikant Karani of Sportscraft who has seen his pet project grow since 1988.

The rally finds a mention in the Limca Books of records. And for scooter enthusiasts, winning this rally is a prestigious affair. “Some of the participants have kept scooters for this rally even though they use bikes and cars frequently. Few of them have even two-decade old scooters,” Karani added.

So far 25 riders have confirmed their participation in the rally, organised by Sportscraft and sponsored by Gulf Oil Lubricants India Limited. The briefing and scrutiny for riders will be on July 1, and a ceremonial start will follow it. The main event is on July 2.

Among the confirmed participants are last year’s winner Syed Asaf Ali of Bhopal and runner-up Shamim Khan of Nashik. Both represent the TVS Racing team and have won the rally four times.

Former winners from Mumbai, Manjeet Singh Bassan, Kunal Rao, Rustom Patel and Bhopal’s Mujjafar Ali will challenge Ali and Khan on the dicey route which includes the densely forested area at the foothills of the Targhar village near Uran. The riders have to push and drag their scooters across the slushy terrain to avoid penalty timing. The many sharp curves pose a challenge as well.

The flag off will take place from K-Star Hotel in CBD Belapur, and will conclude at the same location. “The rally is iconic, and there has been pressure to include motorcycles, but we have maintained it as a scooter rally,” Karani said.

This year a family which includes 54-year-old Shailesh Gala, his son Nikunj and

daughter Priya is participating in the event. “Nikunj has been a regular in the rally, but Shailesh and Priya are participating for the first time, and are excited about it,” Karani informed.

Nidhi Shukla had a good run among the women last year; however this year she is set for some fierce competition from Priya.

Riders from Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Bhopal, Kolhapur, Jodhpur, Dehradun and Sangli are expected to participate. A maximum of 50-60 entries will be accepted, and there will be prizes in different categories.