Remote-Control Vehicles
Bengaluru student wins trip to Dakar Rally in Peru
The Indian champion of Red Bull Desert Wings University Challenge 2017 earns himself an all-expense paid trip to Lima, Peru to compete in world finals, and to experience the famed Dakar Rally.
Rohith Mahalikudi of MS Ramaiah Institute Of Technology, Bengaluru has earned himself a free trip to Peru by winning the national final of the Red Bull Desert Wings University Challenge 2017.
Rohith was adjudged the best of 397 participants from universities across India, earning himself a trip to Lima, Peru. He will compete in the World Finals at the University of Le Havre on 16th January 2018, and also get an opportunity to witness the Dakar Rally, the world’s toughest rally raid championship.
The Red Bull Desert Wings University Challenge 2017 is being conducted across the globe to give motorsports enthusiasts a chance to experience the thrill of racing in the Dakar Rally by competing on a similar off-road terrain in an RC car championship.
Five qualifiers were held in India in Patiala (12th November), Hyderabad (18th November), Kolkata (24th November), Bengaluru (28th November) and Mumbai (30th November). Participation was open to all motorsport enthusiasts provided that they were university students that were 18 years of age who held a valid passport. The national final was conducted in Mumbai’s Narsee Monjee in Vile Parle on 30th November.
Rohith was one of seven qualifiers selected for the national final. The participants in the national final were those who set the fastest timings in the qualifiers, as well as a few wild card entries.
Lined up and ready to go
© Ali Bharmal | Red Bull Content Pool
The rough, sandy desert terrain
© Ali Bharmal | Red Bull Content Pool
Kicking up dirt, just as they do in the Dakar Rally
© Ali Bharmal | Red Bull Content Pool
The finalists
© Ali Bharmal | Red Bull Content Pool
Here is a list of the finalists:
- Sarthak Gupta (Patiala): 14.3 seconds
- Ashutosh Andhari (Hyderabad): 16.183 seconds
- Piyush Jindal (Kolkata): 10.506 seconds
- Vidhi Singrodia (Kolkata-wild card entry): 14.083 seconds
- Rohith Mahalikudi (Bengaluru): 10.076 seconds
- Manan Nagda (Mumbai-wild card entry): winner of challenge conducted at Indian Games Expo
- Ayush Gurnani (Mumbai): 10.042 seconds
Rohith had set the quickest time in the Bengaluru qualifier, and went on to set the fastest time in India, managing to complete the loop of the ‘mini Dakar’ track in just 7.518 seconds.
After winning the national final, Rohith said, “I never expected such a big opportunity to come my way. Two days ago, I did not imagine I would be taking part in such an event. Red Bull changed all of that, they came to my college and I took part. I’m very surprised and pleasantly shocked that I’m going to Peru. I’m sure it’s going to be an amazing experience.”
To read more about the Red Bull Desert Wings University Challenge, click here.