Syed Asif Ali wins Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally

Syed Asif Ali of Team TVS Racing thwarted Shamim Khan's bid for a record fifth crown on a track where even walking was almost impossible during the Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally held here today.
The Bengaluru rider, astride a TVS Wego, won the 27th edition of the popular rally, sponsored by Gulf Oil Lubricants India Limited and organised by Sportscraft with 32.43 minutes in penalties.
Shamim Khan of Team Mahindra, riding a Mahindra Gusto, came in second with 33.36 minutes in penalties, while Erimal Shekharan from Navi Mumbai, riding a Yamaha Alpha, was third.
Seshraj Yadav, riding a Yamaha Alpha, and Bhopal's Muzaffar Ali riding a TVS Wego, came in fourth and fifth, respectively.

Riders came from across India, including Dehradun, Bhopal, Jodhpur and Bengaluru.
They had to pass through water-logged stretches, with much of the route slushy and bumpy. Nidhi Shukla, the lone woman participant, said the track was bumpy.

"This time the course was really tough. In addition to the slushy areas we had a couple of trucks coming in our way and forcing us to slow down. It did not rain heavily during the race, but, still it was challenging," said Syed Asif Ali.
Former champion Manjeet Singh Bassan, though failing to finish among the top five, won Class S2 for the 2 stroke 111 to 160 cc range scooters in 37.14 minutes.

Among the first-timers, Mohsin Mehboob Khan, riding a Yamaha Alpha, clocked the best time, finishing in 37.18 minutes. He was awarded the late Firdosh Vajifdar trophy.