Vasco’s ace rally driver Amol Satoskar after winning the Himalayan Rally 2022.
VASCO
A Bollywood movie ‘Sultan’ where a boxer wins the Olympics after a long gap of quitting wrestling had remarkable similarities to a real-life championship when an ace rally driver from Vasco won the prestigious Himalayan Rally 2022 after a break of 10 years.
Driving a simple and dated Mitsubishi Cedia car, Amol Satoskar managed to beat young and well-trained drivers with expensive customised racing cars and the latest technology, winning the rally on August 30 with sheer courage, experience and determination.
Where the lead between the first and second positions in racing tracks is counted in seconds and microseconds, Satoskar managed to gain a huge lead of around 11 minutes between him and the other cars in the rally, braving rough terrain full of boulders and lack of oxygen at high altitudes.
MLA’S SUPPORT
Speaking to The Goan, Satoskar said a comeback after 10 years would have never been possible if not for support from Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar.
"I have represented Goa on a national level for over 22 years but quit the racing 10 years ago due to huge costs, despite winning Himalayan Rally thrice in 2010, 2011 and 2012. I was surprised to receive an invite for the Himalayan Rally 2022, but I was not prepared.”
“Amonkar told me not to worry about financial support and took me to Sports Minister Govind Gaude and requested the government’s support for the race. Despite several follow-ups, I did not get any support and Amonkar helped me financially from his side," said Satoskar.
EXPENSIVE SPORT
Satoskar said the budget for cross-country events is very high and a Himalayan Rally participation needs a minimum budget of Rs 10 lakh.
“Amonkar gave me a backup and my car was sponsored by my friend Imran from Bangalore and I was supported in service backup by Samrat Yadav from Delhi who also helped me to choose a new navigator in my race. I managed to participate with a budget of Rs 7.5 lakh because I hired the required equipment.
“Imran’s car was lying idle for a long time and we had to reinforce the car, redo the seats, suspension and have new roll cages. The racing car suspension costs Rs 16 lakh but I hired it separately due to less budget. Rival cars were costing crores of rupees and I was actually slightly embarrassed to take the ceremonial start because my car was not up-to-date," said Satoskar.
“Besides, other cars had the latest technology and the drivers were young, well-trained and in top shape.”
TOUGH TERRAIN
Satoskar said the terrain was rough at an altitude of over 18,500 feet above sea level and with very low oxygen.
“The terrain was extreme with boulders, broken tarmac and I was totally clueless about this terrain after ten years. I had a lucky escape at a blind spot when my car drifted off the road but got stuck at the edge on a boulder and felt we are gone," said Satoskar.
“I had to start last in the race as per performance rules, because I had not been in the race for the last ten years. Despite this disadvantage, I was first on all three days on other cars with a huge time gap and on the final day, I won the race with a gap of 11 minutes, which is a huge margin in rally racing, much to the surprise of participants and supporters,” said Satoskar.
