Full Name:     Chetan Shivram       

DOB:             10-12-78

Home:           Bangalore

Category Competing: 1600 cc

Car:              Baleno

Team:           Private

Co-driver:      Rupesh Kholay

Favourite Surface:    Dirt

Career Highlights: 2^nd in National championship(RSC), Rookie driver of the year

Debut:          K1000 rally in 2004
First win:      Mysore safari rally 2005

Best:            Overall 3^rd in Tura rally 2005
Other:          2^nd in Debut rally -K1000-2004

                   2^nd in Tura Rally

                   1^st in Mysore safari

                   2^nd in K1000 2005

                   1^st in HP power challenge in Chandigarh

                   1^st in Rally of the north delhi

                   3^rd in MRF saloon car racing----Round 1

                   3^rd again in saloon car racing--- Round 2

                   3^rd saloon car racing             Round 3

                   3^rd in saloon car racing championship

                   Represented India in the Asian auto gymkhana in Indonesia

                   2^nd in the raid d' Himalaya---2006

           

How and when did you enter the world of rallying? 

Started on two wheelers back in 1998 and graduated to cars in 2004

What do you consider as the biggest break in your rallying career? 

The Chandhigarh round where we were overall 5^th in a star cup car and then got a sponsorship from JK Tyres

What has been your biggest inspiration in rallying?

My Uncle C K Chinnappa, who has been rallying from the time I could remember, also my father J V Shivram who has done a lot of rallying and was among the first to do the Himalayan rally way back in 1982 in a diesel fiat.

Describe your most unforgettable incident in rallying.

After leading the championship for the year and a sizable lead of 9 points in the championship and just one rally to go, all we had to do was finish the rally in the top four and we would have been the champions but fate had its own thoughts about that and in the rally we were leading but on the last stage of day one our engine broke down, loosing both the rally and the championship. It also happened to be my birthday.

What edge do you have over your competitors?

Don't know if it is an edge or not but my devotion to the sport.

What's the top speed that you have touched on a stage?

210 Kmph in the Baleno in the 2007 Pune round INRC

How often do you practice and where?

Whenever I get the chance

Are you superstitious/do you have a ritual before you get into the car/start a stage...etc?

A small prayer

Which round of the INRC is your favorite and why?

Bangalore as it is my home town

Any tips for upcoming drivers and navigators?

Remember there is a lot to learn and don't think you know it all.

How do you think we can popularize rallying in India?

Need more coverage in the press, need to have lot more events, need more international drivers

What do you do when you are not rallying?

Run a rally school, trying to give those who love motorsports and don't know where to start a place to start from.

Do you play or are you involved in any other form of sport?

Tennis,basketball

Whats your username on Rally.co.in? 

xtreme