Bhopal rider Muzaffar Ali laid low quite a few fancied rivals, including defending champion Rustom Patel, to become the new winner of the Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally held in the backwoods of Navi Mumbai today.
Having placed second last year, the 32-year-old rider - atop a Suzuki Access - went one better, leaving not only Patel, but also former champions Manjeet Singh Bassan, Avtar Singh and Shamim Khan in the shade as he won the gruelling 25-km Sportscraft-organised event, in its 24th edition, in 28 minutes, 50 seconds in penalties.
Nashik's Shamim Khan (Mahindra Rodeo), who was champion in 2003 and 2004, finished second with 0:29.02 seconds in penalties and Bangalore's R Natraj (TVS Wego), of TVS Racing, was third with 0:29.08 seconds.
Defending champion Patel (Honda Activa) was fourth and 2011 champion Avtar Singh (Honda Activa) fifth, while four-time champion Bassan, who won in 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, finished sixth.
Ali overcame unyielding conditions and a strong field of 32 riders to emerge triumphant. After the riders started from Our Lady's Home in Parel on the 35 km transport sector, the Bhopal contestant rode with gay abandon over the dirt tracts on the competitive sector of Navi Mumbai to turn tables on the favourites.
Though it did not rain heavily during the rally, riding on the gravel-laden, slushy course was dicey. The riders had to exercise extreme caution while negotiating the steep inclines and hairpin bends. Practically all of them took a tumble or two and some even damaged their scooters.
Loretta D'Lomen, the only female rider in the fray, also battled over the course, completing the final leg with a flat tyre to finish with a creditable 1:41.47 seconds in penalties.
Dehradun's Shradul Sharma, astride a Honda Dio, was adjudged the best first timer and awarded the late Firdosh Vajifdar trophy for his spirited riding.
Vikramjit Boparai was adjudged the best Thane-Navi Mumbai rider.
