Hub Rally preparation in full swing

KARACHI: The preparation for the fifth edition of Hub Rally is in full swing. The grand event is scheduled on January 28 at Hub Road.

Nadir Magsi, who was prominent in last year’s rally, is likely to face stiff competition from Sahibzada Sultan and Ronnie Patel of Toyota Highway Motors (THM).Nadir has won Jhal Magsi and Cholistan rallies.

Sultan came into the limelight when he won the Hub Off-Road Rally. The other big names are Sarfraz Hussain Dhanji, Mukesh Chawla, Zain Mahmood, Faisal Shadikhail, Ashraf Khan, Asad Khuhro, Kanwar Talha, Aamir Magsi and Jaffer Magsi.

They will be featuring in the competitive prepared class category. Vehicles from different brands and companies ranging from 800cc to 4500cc will be seen in the event.

Pakistan’s undisputed women’s road race champion Tushna Patel will take part alongside some other female competitors who are likely to participate in the mega event. The event will be contested over a 11-km track, specially designed under the guidelines of International Toyota Gazoo. It was inaugurated last year.

Shujaat Sherwani, chief organiser Hub Rally and owner of Sherwani Motors, told ‘The News’ that this time there would be some new drivers, which would make it even more thrilling. He said that the motive behind organising this event was to spread awareness regarding off-road rally.

“A huge number of newcomers have shown their interest,” he stated.He added that this rally would be the biggest rally for Karachiites.Lead organiser Hub Rally Syed Irfan told ‘The News’ that they had been approached by many people who were wishing to participate in the event. “We have received many registrations. I am pleased to see the huge interest,” he said.He said that there was extra-ordinary response from the female drivers who were eager to participate in the event.

Irfan said they would conduct a small activity during the event named “Fast, Fun, Fest” in which they would ask the newcomers to take a test drive on a one-km track under the supervision of professional instructors and trained staff. “This activity will provide exposure to the newcomers,” he said. He said that they had designed some special passes for the event which cost Rs1000. For this amount, the participants would also get free Toyota service.