[Tushar]

Maruti Suzuki will host the 2014 Autocross in Mumbai at the Autocar Performance Show. This year, the event has already been held at Bangalore and Delhi, while it returns for its 5th edition in Mumbai on the 13th and 14th of December. Organizers of the Autocross expect a turnout of 150 entries this time around.

Manohar Bhat, Maruti Suzuki Vice President-Marketing, said the "Autocross is the stepping stone for drivers to test their skills", and prepare them for some of the brand's bigger rallies – like Raid-de-Himalaya, Desert Storm and Dakshin Dare. The Autocross has invited enthusiasts in different parts of the country since its inception in 2002.

To participate, prior registration is required. Those interested in the event can learn more here.

[S2!!!]

Thanks for the info.

Have already registered for the event. The sad part is, being a non-Maruti owner, I will be competing in the 'open class' and that makes life that much more difficult. Nevertheless, I'll still participate for the adrenaline rush for those 4 laps or more.

Last year's event was fun too. I wish I still had my Ritz though. I felt it was much tighter and chuckable in comparison to the soft Grand i10 :(. Here are some shots of my car and a friend's i10 at the event opposite Imax Adlabs, Wadala.









Does anyone have any idea about the timings for the qualifying rounds? Any other BHPian/s planning to go?

[swiftnfurious]

Has anyone gone for this event? What's the program for tomorrow? And time as well please.

[S2!!!]

Whoever said that motorsports scene in Mumbai is dead may not be completely wrong but surely the passion within petrolheads isn't dead yet! I was pleasantly surprised to see a good turnout of participants at the 2014 Autocross in Mumbai this time around. Over a 100 petrolheads raced on the track against the clock.

It seems as if the rain Gods hold a grudge against Maruti Suzuki Autocross in Mumbai. Every year, it rains just before the Autocross, making life difficult for the organisers and/or participants too. Last year, the event was postponed because of heavy rains. This time around too, due to heavy rains (yes, in the month of December!), the track condition wasn't the most ideal for an autocross circuit. However, that didn't spoil the party and the event went on smoothly. At the completion of day 1, here are some pictures:

Gypsy might not be the most ideal vehicle for the event, but the owner sure was having fun on the track:



Maruti Ritz vs the clock:



Zen would be my choice for an ideal autocross vehicle. It is small and very agile. This one was driven by a very competent driver too:



Ford EcoSport was not the only crossover on the track though. An XUV500 did the run too:


Here is my Grand i10 at the start line. Did pretty respectable runs but then being in the 'open class' is a disadvantage (for non-Maruti owners):


Not too many 'modified' cars to see. But then the place was brimming with passion and enthusiasm:



I'm not too sure if this was an Evo-convert or just a modded Lancer but I loved the BOV sound:


Spotted these 'race-bred' Esteems:




BHPian 'The Saint's' GT TSI:


Some parting shots of my Grand i10:

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

Has anyone gone for this event? What's the program for tomorrow? And time as well please.

Tomorrow is the final round. I'm not a 100% sure but it is likely to begin at 10 am.

[S2!!!]

A small update...

Managed to qualify with the fastest time in my category. Ended up with a 1st Runners Up trophy at the end of day. Not bad eh?

Originally Posted by The Saint

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Congrats BHPian The Saint for bagging a trophy for the fastest time in the amateur category and for the runners up trophy in your category .

It was nice meeting you.