Nine countries, 32 teams, 1 rickshaw race
The autorickshaw rally, which began in Chennai and ends in Mumbai, will span nearly 2,000 km, reports Mauli Buch.
A first-of-its-kind, cross-country rally drives into the city on Friday evening.
The autorickshaw rally, which began in Chennai and ends in the city, will span nearly 2,000 km. And its drivers include 32 foreigners — one of them Miss Hungary — though they are not professionals.
Along the way, the participants will undertake a worthy social cause. They will deliver medical supplies, rations and academic paraphernalia to needy families.
Titled ‘CEAT Mumbai Xpress Autorickshaw Rally 2007’, the rally has been co-organised by Indian Autorickshaw Challenge & Ceat Tyres.
Participants have signed up from eight other countries, including the UK, the US, Hungary, Bosnia, Croatia, Ireland and Canada.
Already, the cavalcade of 32 teams with 70 participants has snaked its way through Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa before entering Maharashtra to reach the city..
The rally has had its share of mishaps.
Two British woman participants were injured in an accident near Mahad. Jennifer Lewis sustained severe injuries to her left leg and had to undergo emergency plastic surgery; Caby was admitted to hospital with minor injuries.
The two will be discharged by Friday and will attend the closing ceremony.
“The aim is to pursue a social cause of helping the needy,” Arnab Banerjee, vice-president (Sales & Marketing), Ceat Ltd, told HT.
“We selected autorickshaws as Indians are used to them and foreigners like the idea of a charitable venture that also promised some adventure.”
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