Bassan faces stiff test from Shamim, Rustom in Monsoon Scooter Rally

Mumbai, Jun 26 (UNI) Manit Singh Bassan, the reigning champion, will face stiff resistance from the likes of former champions Shamim Khan and Rustom Patel in the Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally, to be held in the backwoods of Vashi in Navi Mumbai near here, on July 6.

The 19th run of the event is being sponsored by Gulf Oil and organised by Sportscraft.

Addressing a press conference here, Srikant Karani of Sportscraft said for the first time the rally is being opened to modified scooters with Indian components. Thus, unlike previously, when the riders had to do with stock vehicles, they can now participate with modifications as permissible by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI).

Mr Karani said 25 riders had confirmed participation and the cut off limit would be a total of 40 riders. He also said that the rally will have two sections - the transport section and the competitive section.

The competitive sector comprising gravel-laden, dirt tracks, will be around 28 kms, he added.

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