FIA Rally Star Asia-Pacific Final: Bengaluru's Pragathi Gowda qualifies for World Finals; Taylor Gill makes it

Pragathi Gowda and Taylor Gill are all smiles after the win. (Supplied Images)

Bengaluru, October 12: Bengaluru's Pragathi Gowda will represent India at the Asia-Pacific Region Women's World Finals in Peru in January, 2023 after winning the FIA Rally Star Asia-Pacific Final at the Madras International Circuit in Irungattukottai, near Chennai, on Wednesday (October 12).

The 25-year-old along with Australia's Taylor Gill were declared winners in the women's and men's sections respectively in the three-day event which concluded at the MIC.

As per a media release, a four-member jury, after considering the timesheets and then interviewing the finalists, declared Pragathi and Gill as overall winners.

FIA Rally Star Asia-Pacific Final: Pragathi Gowda keeps Indian hopes alive to make Stage 3 cut FIA Rally Star Asia-Pacific Final: Pragathi Gowda keeps Indian hopes alive to make Stage 3 cut

The qualifiers for Stage-3 were put through two phases of timed runs. At the end of the first phase, the list was narrowed down to six contenders based on their times.

The top six were then given another run to decide the quickest. The six drivers were then interviewed by the four-member jury who then announced the winner, taking into consideration the performances, fitness and driving skills.

Biggest recognition

Pragathi, a post-graduate in finance, who juggles between profession and motorsport, said, "I'm super happy. I'll do my best to make my country proud.

"Winning the Rally Star is the biggest recognition I've received and I've worked very hard for it. I would like to tell all the women out there to not lose hope. This is the happiest moment in my life."

Over the moon

"On the first two days, it was more of a tarmac run, but today, it was more gravel which I'm very comfortable with and so was very confident. I just stuck to my basics and did what I had to do. I wasn't happy with my first run today, but I completed the second with ease."

Gill, who hails from Newcastle struggled to contain his emotions, said: "I don't have the words to describe my feelings now. Coming into the Final, I just wanted to enjoy myself and put everything together. A couple of weeks ago, I did one day in a cross car in Australia, but the Rally Star cars here are vastly different. Right now, I'm over the moon," said the 19-year-old, who is a mechanic by profession.

Over to Peru

The Asia-Pacific winner will join the other continental finals champions. Two winners of these events join the selection of drivers for the first FIA Rally Star Training Season in 2023.

The last spot in the FIA Rally Star Training Season will go to the winner of the Women's Final, which is due to take place in Peru. The winner of the FIA Rally Star Asia-Pacific Final will be representing the region in the 2023 FIA Rally Star Training Season.

Successful contestants

Besides six rallies in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3, the Training Season package includes physical and intellectual assessment, driver coaching and testing. The aim is to equip the successful contestants with the attributes they need as they attempt to secure a drive in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in the future.

At the end of 2023, the best four FIA Rally Star Team members are rewarded with a season in the FIA Junior WRC Championship in 2024.