Delhi-Jaipur Women Car Rally 2011

A Time-Speed-Distance based event is always like going back to school where remembering the formulas is the key to success and this event was no different. 60 cars, more than 60 women, 650 kilometres, a few off-roading tracks, remote and rough routes, one road-book and the HMS (Hour Minute Second) calculations is what the 2-day long event from Delhi-Jaipur-Delhi was all about.

The event was flagged off from DLF Place, Saket, Delhi and passed through Suraj Kund, Sohna, Firozpur Jhirka, Tijara, Alwar, Madho Garh to Talvraksha, Pratap Garh, Ramgarh and straight to Jaipur and then forth to Delhi via Nahargarh Biological Park, Shahpur and Viratnagar.

The drive back from Jaipur was a bid to create awareness about women empowerment, breast cancer and tigers that are on the verge of extinction from the country, combined skilfully with loads of fun, adventure, thrill and the bible (the road-book) to follow.

Organised by i-Sports, the event was categorised into three sections: Pro category, All Women Chain and Mixed Category. Scoring first with least penalties were Rufina Karmali and Asif Karmali from Mumbai, Monika from Team Maruti and Nisha Gothwal in their respective categories.

Rufina, with husband Asif came all the way from Mumbai and is a hard-core professional who has been racing from last 22 years and believes winning is all about team work. She has been a part of the Lavasa, NAB (Blind Men's Rally) to name a few but had participated in Delhi for the first time.

"I really wanted to be a part of this rally mainly because of the cause associated. Racing is now in my blood and I am glad I could make it and see some outstanding driving skills from women," said Rufina who did not miss to add, "The rally was very well organised, had some of the excellent routes and was very challenging too."

It had to be challenging, for the organisers spent some sleepless nights to track down the routes. “It took us 3 months and a trip every 15 days to figure out the route. It was not an easy task! But the whole idea was to upgrade the level, give women an idea of what actual off-roading is all about so that they can challenge the men. I as a professional totally agree that driving skills in men and women are almost the same,” said Umesh Raheja, one of the organisers who has been rallying since 2006 and a champion of the Desert Storm Rally three times in a row.

The best part about the rally was no limitation on the cars women drove. The pack had everything from the sweet little Alto to the mighty muscular Scorpio, women drove them all.

It was a perfect escape from the city hussle and to enjoy two thrilling days out tackling off-road tracks and understanding what off-roading and rallying is all about.

WOMEN CAR RALLY: LEG 1