DIBRUGARH, Dec 2 � The Assam Motor Sports Club, in association with the Assam Pushpak Travel Agency, will host the Pushpak Car Rally in the TSD (time, speed, distance) format on January 9 next year. The rally will be flagged off at the Chaliha Nagar field, Tinsukia and will culminate at Dibrugarh where the prize distribution ceremony is scheduled to take place in the evening on the same day. The event is also to get recognition from the Federation of Motor Sports Club of India, the only Government of India-recognised motor sports body in India.
In the TSD rally, the participants will be given a route in a Tulip format along with the speeds to be maintained. They will have to calculate the time. There will be undisclosed time controls with marshals, who will note the time of each competitor. The competitors will get 10 penalty points for every minute late and every minute early. The winner will be the competitor with the least number of penalty points. There are different classes of prize winners like, overall winners, all-women�s teams, best decorated car, etc. The total route to be covered is approximately 150 km in about seven hours and the maximum speed is 55 km per hour.
The goal of the TSD rally is to travel the correct route at the correct speeds and arrive at unknown check-points in the middle of the route, precisely on time. The teams are scored on how closely to the correct time they arrive and penalties are given as per their time. This is done by simple mathematical calculation of time, speed and distance. Arriving too early at a checkpoint hurts the scores, as does arriving too late. The team with the least penalties will be the winner. The competition is open for only amateur entrants and their number is restricted to 60 only. The sponsor of the event, Assam Pushpak Travel Agency, is offering attractive prizes and trophies to the winners of the event. The winner of the event will get a cash amount of Rs 1,00,000 alongwith a certificate and a trophy. The first runners-up will be awarded with a cash amount of Rs 31,000 and the second runners-up gets Rs 21,000. Besides, there will be trophies and cash awards for best decorated car, best dressed crew members and best all-women�s team.
�The Pushpak Car Rally is not a race. It is more about testing abilities of the brain and machine with no high speeds and any car can participate as long as it is roadworthy. A team comprises a minimum two and maximum of three members. The participants should hold a valid driving licence and the registration book along with a valid insurance rally insurance cover. Each team has to follow the course as well as maintain a given average speed and hence these types of rallies will inculcate safe driving habits among the people,� said Sanjay Khaitan, secretary, Assam Motor Sports Club. The last date of registration of entries is December 25 and interested participants can contact www.tskcarrally. hpage.com for details.
