The task was no doubt tough considering that Vikram Mathias and co-driver Nikhil Pai were coming back after a nine-month break. The duo was with Team JK Tyre but the team pulled out of rallying this year. Things were only tougher for them since it was the first time they were going to drive the Mitsubishi Cedia. And they had to do it with limited resources and budgets, which meant they would probably not have the best equipment.
“It is good to be back in the car and rallying after a gap of nine months. The Cedia is a powerful car and with things working out at the last minute, we really had no time to work on the car,” said Mathias, the 2004 National champion with BS Sujith Kumar. “Considering that we had no time to really test the car, I think second place is a pretty good achievement. We really wanted to finish on the podium.”
No small task
If having to handle a powerful car for the first time is a challenge, it is no small task for the navigator to adapt to the faster speeds. “The step up from the Baleno to the Cedia is difficult. The pace is much more in this car and I need to be able to make the calls on time,” said Pai.
The duo are on a mission. And that would be to give the other contenders a run for their money. “We hope to get the proper pace by the end of the year and become serious contenders. We want to establish our Team Red Rooster Racing as a force to reckon with,” they said. “Again, it is going to be tough because we have started in the middle of the season. But we have good support from our sponsors Red Rooster and Sidvin.”
Mathias and Pai have special regards for N Leelakrishnan, arguably India’s best hand when it comes to tuning rally cars. “The technical backing is strong with Leela on our side. He has done a great job with the car,” said Mathias.
However, there is one major factor that has contributed to the good show by the duo - their camaraderie. Even with the best of cars and the biggest of budgets, one really can’t ensure success if the two can’t work in tandem which Mathias and Pai have been able to achieve.
“We knew each other for some time before we got together in 2006. But while driving, we keep things very professional but off the track, we are good friends,” said the duo, who plan to possibly compete in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship in the future.
Hard work
Now that the first step is taken and the combo has potential, it is going to be a lot of hard work to start being really competitive. “The first need is to get a lot of miles in the car. The second is to improve our pace. We need to clock faster times. There are no two ways about it. As a driver, I need to get used to the car and the mechanical components like the gearbox and limited slip differential. I need to get my rhythm going well,” said Mathias.
While for Pai, it is coordinating with Mathias and the pace. “I have to get used to the pace and calls,” Pai said.
The odds are stacked against the duo. But they are driven by a desire to take that top step on the podium. With a passion for the sport, they are determined to prove their mettle and take home the silverware.