Team Champions wins 7 podiums in Coffee Day India Rally

Media Release
December 2, 2018

Chikkamagaluru, Dec 2: Team Champions won top honours in three classes including INRC3 with overall seven podiums in the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) Round 4 and the supporting races of FMSCI Cup, which concluded here on Sunday with Karna Kadur winning the Coffee Day Rally round once again this year.

Making their presence felt in every category, Team Champions which entered the Indian rally scene in a big way supporting 14 teams in 2018, earned three third places in the top three categories besides winning all the other three classes in the Round 4 Coffee Day Rally. Competing against the top names of Indian rallying Bopaiah and co-driver Gagan Karumbaiah finished a creditable third behind Karna Kadur (Nikhil Pai) and Amittrajit Ghosh (Ashwin Naik) in the overall classification. Michu Ganapathy with co-driver Venu Ramesh Kumar came third behind another two giants Amittrajit Ghosh and Gaurav Gill, who finished first and second in the INRC1 class.

Arjun Rao ably navigated by Milen George won the INRC3 in the national championship round clocking the best time in his Volkswagen Polo which was tuned by Chettinad Sporting and backed by Team Champions. Rao and George duo beat teammates Fabid Ahmer and co-driver Shahid Salman, who too performed well in their Chettinad Sporting prepared Polo.

Vikram Gowda (co-driver Sudheendra BG won the FMSCI 2-wheel drive Cup Chikkamagaluru round while veteran Sanjay Agarwal with lady navigator Smitha Prasad brought home their Champions sponsored Grand Vitara home in a stunning time to beat Sachin Murthy (co-driver Sathyapal) and Avin Nanjappa-Suraj pair to second and third respectively in the FMSCI 4-wheel drive Cup, the two supporting categories in the non-National Championship events, which are a stepping stones to success.

“With the aim of bringing in more drivers and making them champions, we are glad to have won all the three lower categories. At the same time, the talent and dedication shown by our drivers and tuners reaped in a bounty bringing in three podiums in the top classes. There is a champion in everyone and Team Champions strives to realise that potential,” said Subhakar Rao, Chairman of Champions Group.

Vamsi, CEO and Director, who is heading the Motorsports Division said: ``It is a team effort and the dedication of the drivers, co-drivers, support teams and tuners have brought in admirable results. Our focus to bring in more champions and to make sure that no champion is wanting in showcase their talent and realising their potential for want of resources.’’

The results:

Overall: 1. Karna Kadur / Nikhil Pai (Arka Motorsports) (02hrs,19mins,59.9secs); 2. Amittrajit Ghosh / Ashwin Naik (Mahindra Adventure) (02:22:15.3); 3. Bopaiah KM / Gagan Karumbaiah (Team Champions)(02: 22: 18.8). 

INRC-1: Ghosh / Naik; 2. Gaurav Gill / Musa Sherif (Mahindra Adventure) (02: 23: 49.2); 3. Michu Ganapathy / Venu Rameshkumar (Team Champions) (02:27: 18.1).

INRC-2: 1, Kadur / Pai; 2. Bopaiah / Karumbaiah; 3. Younus Ilyas / Harish KN (Pvt.)(02:22:34.7). 

INRC-3: 1. Arjun Rao / Milen George (Team Champions supported, tuned by Chettinad Sporting) (02:24:29.4); 2. Fabid Ahmer (Team Champions supported, tuned by Chettinad Sporting) (02:26:34.7); 3. Aroor Vikram Rao / Somayya (Team Falkon) (02:27:57.4).

FMSCI 2WD Cup: 1. Vikram Gowda / Sudheendra BG (Team Champions) (02:31:51.6); 2. Prakhyat Shirole / Bharath SM (Pvt.) (02:32:53.0); 3.Manoj Mohanan / Sob George (02:35:32.7).

FMSCI 4WD Cup: 1. Sanjay Agarwal / Smitha Prasad (Team Champions) (02:31:02.0); 2. Sachin Murthy / Satyapal (02:35:00.5); 3. Avin Nanjappa / Suraj M (Pvt) (02:39:26.5).

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

•    Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

•    STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

•    Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
coastaldigest.com news network
December 20,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 20: City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy has issued a high-alert warning to vehicle owners regarding a surge in cyber fraud targeting those looking to pay traffic violation fines. Fraudsters are reportedly exploiting recent government discount schemes on traffic penalties to deceive citizens.

The Scam: How Fraudsters Strike

Criminals are using SMS, WhatsApp, and social media to circulate suspicious links and APK files (Android application packages). They claim these apps allow users to pay e-challans at a discount.

•    Device Hacking: Downloading these unauthorized apps gives hackers full access to the victim's smartphone.

•    Financial Theft: Once the phone is compromised, fraudsters intercept OTPs and personal data to drain bank accounts.

•    Phishing Sites: Fake websites mimicking official portals are also being used to harvest banking credentials.

Already, two residents within Mangaluru city limits have reported significant financial losses after falling victim to these fraudulent apps.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.