Drama time in Chikmagalur
Vivek Phadnis. Chikmagalur
Protest over protest dogged the Coffee Day Rally of Chikmagalur. A generally good event of the Speed Indian National Rally Championship was marred by the resulting confusion after the protests.
On Saturday night, Team MRF protested against their driver Lohitt V Urs (Shrikant Gowda) being handed a three-minute penalty for checking in five minutes late. They also protested against Red Rooster Racing's Vikram Mathias (PVS Murthy) not being penalised for checking in early. Mathias was penalised five minutes on Sunday. The actual reason was that there was only some confusion when the marshals recorded the times.
Meanwhile, RRR also protested against MRF for a suspected technical infringement on Sunday.
Whatever the reasons and whoever is at fault is a topic for debate. But the whole point is that the atmosphere of the event to decide the title has been spoilt. The season began with protests in Coimbatore, similar drama unfolded in the K-1000 and the season also ended with protests. The championship being decided by stewards and rally officials is not the best way for the sport to move forward. Of that there is no doubt. Hopefully, from the next season, the title will be decided only on the special stages.



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