Polaris ATV Challenge 09

Hello Friends,

We are just over with yet another event, Polaris ATV Challenge 09, which was India’s frist ATV Rally. Doing back to back events is not easy but TEAM WESTERN MOTORSPORTS pulled it off beautifully. During “JK Tyre - The Monsoon Ride” itself I had suffered a leg injury, an internal one but that was not going to stop us as a word was given to conduct Polaris ATV Challenge 09. With all the hiccups taken in stride the event was a good success.

As nothing new we also did have differences with the presenter of the event Trans Asia, but if these are not there what is the fun what is the challenge. I do agree we lacked on our part on more than one front but that was due to getting pissed off due to the behavioral discrepancies from Trans Asia, I put my hand up and accept the fault atleast on our part as it was not at all professionalism, but humane.

The event was basically executed in a week’s preparation as we did not have to work on the entries only the execution which was taken as only the rally execution and not as the wholesome rally including the peripheral. It was a great learning experience and has improved us on our logistical arrangements, now the team has the confidence of pulling off an event anywhere with whatever magnitude, but we are not going to fly on the confidence, we would like to progress gradually.

It was a drastic change in climate and from no rains for a fortnight god had mercy at last and it rained almost all through the event, words of Mr. Rusy Kohli came true, weathermen watch out for your careers. The rains were too heavy for day 3, the Leg 2 SS 1 had to be cancelled as going through a particular section of this could have caused injuries as it had become water logged and too slushy.

The event was completed without any protest or mishap. The only mishap which occurred was a breakdown in an ATV of competitor Raj Singh just before the start of Leg 2 SS 1, till then he was leading the rally with a great 3 minutes lead. Rusy kohli and Ashish Bahl emerged winners of their respective categories and Rusy won the overall trophy also. At the time of Prize Distribution Ceremony it was drizzling all the time, the ceremony was conducted in the rain all loved it and enjoyed it.

The effort of all the officials and marshals was highly commendable as they withstood the rain, they rode on their bikes all the way from Jaipur to the stages in heavy rains to do the duties, I salute their passion to the sport. Will not like to point out any single official’s effort but effort of Shalini Singh has to appreciated, she got late in starting off from Delhi but did not take it as an excuse but drove all alone with her CHOTU (bolero) all the way from Delhi reached Jaipur at 2 in midnight and was on her toes by 4 and on stage to take up her duties. HAT’S OFF!! Shalini Hat’s off to you.

Polaris ATV Challenge too just like JK Tyre – The Monsson Ride was very well supported by people from different motor sport groups, that is the sporting spirit which I wish would wish to continue and prevail. Sidharth Singh of Jaipur Motor Cycle Club was the COC, Adhiraj Singh of Rajputana Jeep Club did the starts of day 1, Vikas Singh of Team Jeypore was there for the day 2 starts and Anil Gautam from SAAHAS with his entire team came and did the flag-off.

There was another lady in the event just for her sheer passion and commitment to the sport, DEEPA MALLIK a lady paralyzed waist below came all the way from Ahmednagar, just to take the flag off and ride a few kilometers into the stage. Seeing her courage and passion we deployed a jeep to back her up in the stage with her support system. Hat’s off to you too Deepa.

The Polaris ATV Challenge is over now and we are planning an event in winters. The event would be a tough one for participants as well officials but am pretty sure it will also be through as knife through melted butter. It would also be on TSD format and we are looking into putting in separate categories off-road and tarmac both for 4 wheelers 2 wheelers and there would be another element which I would not like to disclose as yet, but can assure you it would be a spine chilling experience. The event is still in planning stages but can assure you of a new experience and would be trying to eliminate all the flaws which were there in the earlier events

So hope to see you in winters, keeping fingers crossed.

Anukraman Singh,
COC,
WESTERN MOTORSPORTS.

Living My Dream !!!

By : Deepa Malik participant Polaris ATV Challenge

Always wanting to be on wheels and being the active part of the motor sport world is what i forever dreamt of. I often laugh and quote that god mistook my wish and put me on a wheel-chair for good. Relegation to an indoor like was something i was not going to settle for,and thus began my search for opportunities where i could turn the wheel of fate and redesign it to include adventure and fun activities in the lives of wheel-chair bounds.

And one such opportunity came my way when i learnt about the India's first ATV rally organised by Western Motorsports with Trans-Asia Distributions.

I saw some potential of being able to participate as i did a record making drive on my ATV on tarmac road. So I could ride an ATV but a formal rally and that too off-road was a different thought and a scary one for a woman paralysed waist below.

I am glad that Rusy gave me the permission to participate on a condition of filling up formalities of paper work.But I'm also glad that the officials at Western Motorsports welcomed my unending queries with so much ease. I know I was very difficult with my bag full of questions about the route, my backup vehicle and even a place for my husband in it and the list goes on. My heart felt thanks to Anukraman and his team for being so patient with me. They not only made things look easier for me but also encouraged me. If it was not for the comfort zone and acceptance created by them, I dont think I would have mustered up the courage to request
Ashish Bahl of Adventure Wheels lending me one of his ATVs. A request to which he immediately responded with a positive and with it came with his participation as well.

As I landed at the scrutiny point, I could hardly contain the excitement but yes the reception was a little confusing as there were two counters. We did have to shuttle between the two a couple of times as the T-shirts and leaflets were given inside the hotel and documents had to be submitted outside at the scrutiny counter.At it took me a while to figure out wether we had to report at the Polaris counter or the scrutiny manned by Western Motorsports. The stay arrangements at Clarks Amer were good and definitely gave the event a great standard.

I wish there was a better media coverage and attendance at the press conference. A lot of effort and money was spent on arrangements but I sincerely felt a lack of media presence to do justice to match the magananimity of the event.

My parents were there to witness my flag off and my hubby dear to lift me in his Arms and made me sit on the ATV. It was indeed a dream come true for a person who had little hope of ever seeing a podium.I still remember Anukraman's words just before the Flag-off, "Don't keep thanking us,Our motto is to promote motorsports and we at Western Motorsports are just doing that.You wanted to be outdoors and its our duty to help you do that". Seriously they all did a wonderful job.

I had a special vehicle to back me up. Though I just did a few Kms on the Day 1. As I did feel betrayed by my body balance the off road terrain demands skillfull support of legs to balance the ATV,but still slowly I covered a few kms. and at every turn and bend there was a marshal to assist me but those few kms meant the world to me. I was then transported to finish line. Luckily it was a pleasent day and hunger was the only thing which bothered and not the heat, while I waited for everyone to reach the finish line.


The most pleasant surprise came that afternoon, when in the middle of nowhere were the awesome refreshment meal we were served. I am a caterer by profession and can say with a lot of authority that they were the best sandwiches i ever had. The juice and the brownie was the ultimate treat one could ask for....WELL DONE Western Motorsports. It would be not justified if I miss out on the mention of the visual treat we got by watching the hair raising descend of the Marhsal bikes and jeeps from an accute slope, Phewwww..... you guys at Western Motorsports are dare devils.

I have to commend Anjali also for keeping up with boys/men. She surely deserves a pat on her shoulder.

I loved this venue and the food of the break up party "The Farms", but I wished the audio visuals were not delayed so much. I also wish the announcements were a little more amicable and we all maintained the essence of sports and sportsmanship.

Overall I Loved the experience of a being a small part of the history in making. The Beginning of ATVs in India. I was happy that Polaris ATV Challenge gave me a platform to convey to the world that love for outdoors and adventure sports is a must. It gives you strength to fight the odds of life and facing challenges in good spirit. I hope I have been also able to achieve the aim of spreading the message of ability beyond disability. Through my participation i wanted to convey that the words adventure and motorsports go pretty well with physically challenged.

Just a few mindsets to change.

Thank you Polaris, Adventure Wheels and Western Motorsports for accepting me.

Deepa Malik

My Experience at Polaris ATV Challenge

By : Ashish Bahl
Winner of 1st prize in below 500cc engine capacity category

To be precise and to the point, Western Motorsports, the complete team "ROCKS". The complete ATV rally was very well organised and the tracks chosen were just great. My only issue was long waiting periods between some stages of the rally.



My sincere thanks to Anukraman and the whole community of Western Motorsports. Would love to be a part all of your events as many as possible.

Ashish Bahl