Full Name:
ARJUN BALU

DOB:
18th JANUARY 1975

Home:
Coimbatore

Category Competing:
INRC 1600cc (in 2006)

Car:
FORD FIESTA(2006)

Team:
MRF

Co-driver:
KUMAR RAMASWAMY

Favourite Surface:
Both surfaces are good. The most enjoyable would be smooth very fast gravel.

Career Highlights:
Debut Racing debut in 1992,rallying in 1994.
First win first Gp ‘n ‘ win in 1996.First overall win in 1999 Deccan Rally.
Best:Runner up INRC 98,99,00,02,05.AZRC runner up 2001,Win in AZRC Rally Of China in 2001
This year: Finished only two rallies with the Ford Fiesta.K-1000 and Goa.



When did you first enter the world of rallying?
Did my first rally in 1994.Was into my third year of single seater racing at that time and decided to do a rally for fun in a Gp”A” gypsy.

What do you consider as the biggest break in your rallying career?
Doing a copuple of rallies in the APRC with the evo7 was good. Very unfiortunate that I did not have enough time to show full potential.Being able to do a full season in AZRC was very good ,where we finished 2nd in the championship with a win.

What has been your biggest inspiration in rallying?
Winning and Competing at the highest level is the inspiration

Describe your most unforgettable incident in rallying.
Winning a rally internationally is obviously very special(China) among many others.Being in a winning situation in so many rallies for things to go wrong with the car towards the end is something very annoying.

What’s the top speed that you have touched on a stage?
I think it was around 185+ in the evo 7 on gravel in Canberra.

How often do you practice and where?
I don’t really practice.The rally car is driven only when testing of some kind is required and that is in Coimbatore.

Are you superstitious/do you have a ritual before you get into the car/start a stage…etc?
Not Really

Which round of the INRC is your favorite and why?
The Coimbatore rally has always been my favopurite,Of the current ones as far as the terrain goes K-1000 is very enjoyable and so was the rally in Delhi a few years ago.

How would you compare Indian rallies with the International ones?
As far as the roads are concerned the rallies abroad have much smoother terrain ad a much wider variety and number of stages

How do you think we can popularize rallying in India?
This website is a great start so keep up the good work.

Given a chance, which WRC driver would you like to co-drive for and in which car?
Would not want to co-drive Ari Vatanen is an all time favourite. In the current generation Sebastian Loeb is an awesome driver.

What do you do when you are not rallying?
I work in the family business(textile manufacturing) with my brother Sanjay. I play a lot of tennis, enjoy music, wildlife.

Do you play or are you involved in any other form of sport?
Yes I Play Tennis.

Who is your favourite sportsman?
Roger Federer.

What are your rally plans for 2007?
At the moment its just the INRC.

Whats your username on Rally.co.in?
Arjun