Full Name:  Rahul Kanthraj       

DOB:  26-10-1974

Home: Bangalore

Category Competing: 1600cc

Car: Maruti Baleno

Team: Mithoon Motorsprot

Co-driver: Vivek Bhatt

Favourite Surface: Asphalt

Career Highlights:
Debut     : 2000
First win  : 2003
Best        : 2003 Nashik Rally. Winner in 1400cc class and Third Overall
This year : Finished second in the 1600cc Championship


How and when did you enter the world of rallying?
Grew up watching my father drive the Coffee 500 rally in the late 80’s and the early 90’s. Always enjoyed watching the sport and definitely wanted to be a rally driver.

What do you consider as the biggest break in your rallying career?
A complete sponsor from MOVVA Associates, an advertisement company to run the 2003 INRC. Mithoon Motorsport For the entire 2009 Season.

What has been your biggest inspiration in rallying?
The thrill of being able to drive and perform at a national level and compete along with a lot of highly talented and famous drivers in India.

Describe your most unforgettable incident in rallying
A high speed crash in the 2003 rally at Cochin. Had multiple rolls after losing control at speeds of over 140kmph.

What edge do you have over your competitors?
Advantage of rally car knowledge and extreme patience in maintaining driver co-driver relationship coupled with great team work.

What’s the top speed that you have touched on a stage?
185 Kmph at Nashik.

How often do you practice and where?
Every time at Coimbatore before a Rally when there is also a lot of testing involved.

Are you superstitious/do you have a ritual before you get into the car/start a stage…etc?
Always put my right hand driving glove first.

Which round of the INRC is your favorite and why?
The round in Nashik because of its smooth and fast terrain.

Any tips for upcoming drivers and navigators?
Build up rapport with tuners , technicians and also with each other in the car.
Learn about your car and always be open to ideas and inputs from pro’s

How do you think we can popularize rallying in India?
CLUELESS

Given a chance, which WRC driver would like to co-drive for and in which car?
Loeb definitely in the C-4.

What do you do when you are not rallying?
Help in our family business which is a coffee plantation, run a small workshop in Bangalore and do a lot off precision driving for T.V. commercials.

Do you play or are you involved in any other form of sport?
No

Who is your favourite sportsman?
Sebastian Loeb, Valentino Rossi, Roger Federer etc,etc,etc…….

What are your rally plans for 2010?
Trying to arrange a drive in the 2000cc group N category.

Whats your username on Rally.co.in?
Rahul Kanthraj.