TSD Rally Championship Kicks Off in Chikmagalur

Motorsport’s action returns to Karnataka’s coffee hills as the Rally of Chikmagalur rolls in on May 31 and June 1, marking the season opener for the FMSCI Indian National Time Speed Distance Rally Championship (4W) 2025

Hyderabad: Motorsport’s action returns to Karnataka’s coffee hills as the Rally of Chikmagalur rolls in on May 31 and June 1, marking the season opener for the FMSCI Indian National Time Speed Distance Rally Championship (4W) 2025.

Organized by the Motor Sports Club of Chikmagalur (MSCC), in association with JK Tyre Motorsport and co-sponsored by Vamcy Merla Sports Foundation, Round 1 of the South Zone will test both machine and mind on Chikmagalur’s picturesque but challenging tarmac routes.

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The action starts on May 31 with the Ceremonial Start scheduled for 4:30 PM (16:30 hrs) from Signature Apartment, K.M. Road, next to APMC, in Chikmagalur. Rally Leg 2 begins the following morning at 7:00 AM on June 1, with competitors covering a total of approximately 210 km. The event concludes with the Prize Distribution Ceremony at 2:00 PM (14:00 hrs) on June 1 at the same venue.

With a record-breaking 130 confirmed entries—the highest ever in the history of the Indian National TSD Rally Championship (4W)—this year’s Rally of Chikmagalur is set to be a landmark edition. Winners will take home trophies and cash prizes worth over ₹3.5 lakhs, along with coveted awards such as Star of Chikmagalur, Star of Karnataka, and Coffee Trail ProStock/Open.

National-level participation further raises the stakes, with entries pouring in from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Coimbatore, Erode, Kashmir, and Jamshedpur. Notable names include Deepak/Prakash M, Naga/Santhosh, Kshmata/Anmol, Shafad/VeluMurugan, and Gitika Panth/Neena Jain.

Meanwhile, local pride is well represented by Abilash/Samrudh Pai, Manju Jain, Chiranth Gowda, and Srikanth Gowda from Chikmagalur and nearby Kadur.

The field spans eight fiercely contested categories, including INTSDRC Expert, Pro Stock, Corporate, Couple, Women, alongside enthusiast-favourite classes such as Supercar, Chikmagalur Class, and State of Karnataka Super Car Class—promising a spectacular showcase of precision, performance, and passion.

Unlike conventional speed rallies, this event follows strict TSD formats, demanding exceptional timekeeping, navigation, and synergy between drivers and navigators. With undisclosed checkpoints and variable terrain—including semi-urban stretches and coffee plantation backroads—the rally promises to challenge even seasoned rallyists.

Sanctioned by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the Rally of Chikmagalur is the first of several qualifiers leading up to the INTSDRC 2025 Championship Finals. The top three finishers in each category of every qualifying round will secure a spot in the finals—provided they have competed in at least two qualifiers. Note that points earned in qualifiers do not carry over to the grand final.