Gill heads to Kenya for WRC as JK Tyres Motorsport Celebrates 40 years of Thrill and Speed

JK Tyre, the name that is associated with motorsport in the country is commemorating nearly four decades of its motorsport career. While the pandemic did not affect the brand’s spirit in the last two years, as they successfully hosted their racing championship as well as all annual events, the team has now revealed their plans for 2022.

Gaurav Gill, India’s accomplished rally driver and Arjuna Awardee, declared his participation in the World Rally Championship (WRC) 2022 while attending the event. The three-time APRC (Asia Pacific Rally Championship) and seven-time INRC (Indian National Rally Championship) champion is preparing for the WRC Safari Rally in Kenya, which will take place from June 23 to 26. 

Gill will share the wheel of a Skoda Fabia R5 in WRC 2, which produces 290 horsepower and 425 Newton metres of torque, with Brazilian co-driver Gabriel Morales. The Safari is one of the most difficult rallies in the World Rally Championship, with 19 unique stages covering about 365 kilometres of action, including demanding closed dirt roads, rough and rutted tracks, and variable weather that can change dry and sandy trails.

Gill’s most recent appearance in WRC 2 came in the pre-pandemic Rally of Turkey in 2019, when, although failing to win, he received a lot of appreciation from the fraternity for his outstanding driving. His participation in the Rally of Australia was cut short at the last minute owing to a roaring fire in the woodland sections surrounding Coffs Coast, New South Wales.

 Gaurav Gill said, “I am excited to return to WRC after a hiatus of over 2 years. I have utilized these two years of pandemic to reflect on my previous participations and have worked on improving my fitness and performance holistically while engaging in various top end activities besides National Rally championship. I am thankful to JK Tyre Motorsports for their support and I am optimistic of claiming good results for the country and the team“

On the domestic front, JK Tyre is looking forward to hosting the 25th year of the JK Tyre National Racing Championship this year, as well as resuming their big-ticket event at the Buddh International Circuit, which will include international exhibition races.

The corporation has established a 300,000 Euro scholarship initiative to support rising talent who have proven their mettle on the local circuit, in keeping with its concept of developing new talents across the country. The scholarship will be awarded to up to 5 young exceptional athletes, one of which will be a female athlete, from several motorsport verticals. 

The first to be a part of it is India’s emerging racing prodigy, 17-year-old Amir Sayed of Kottayam, who demonstrated his mettle by winning all 12 races in his category to become the JK Tyre Novice Cup Champion in 2020. JK Tyre Motorsport sponsors Amir is competing in the French F4 Championship this year.

JK Tyre has been a forerunner in the country’s motorsports scene; more than 90% of the kids competing overseas have emerged from JK Tyre’s programmes. JK Tyre’s motorsport programme has also fostered young Arjun Maini, Kush Maini, Yash Aradhya, Akhil Rabindra, Sneha Sharma, and Mira Erda.