Naren Kumar hopes to be the local APRC entrant at the upcoming India Rally

Naren Kumar can easily be counted among the best rally drivers to have emerged from India. His qualities of speed and commitment are a benchmark for his team-mates and rivals.
But with a sport that refuses to break its shackles in India, he finds his career growth stunted by the lack of opportunities beyond the National Rally Championship.
His first international foray culminated into the Asian-Zone title in 2001 and an opportunity to compete in the premier Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. But after three tough events, wherein he failed to register even a single finish, Naren was asked by his team, MRF, to step aside for more experienced campaigners.

Since then, Naren has had to restrict his activities to within the national boundaries. But now with the upcoming India Rally this December, Naren hopes to showcase his talent vis-a-vis the APRC regulars.
"I hope to compete in the APRC class this time," says Naren who was part of the INRC grid at the rally last year. "During my first stint two years ago, I wasn't able to show my true speed. I could've done better as I was getting used to the car. But with that experience and having seen the conditions last time, I think I can put up a decent fight with a proper budget in place now."
A decent assault at the India Rally could cost anywhere between Rs 21 lakh
(for a Mitsubishi Evo 6) to Rs 32 lakh (Evo 8).
"I have been talking to a few teams in Australia and the UK for a Group N spec car. It can be sourced from anyone of them provided I have that budget."
Naren says that he had approached MRF some time back with a proposal but is still awaiting a decision, forcing him to look for sponsorship options outside. MRF is already fielding a two-car team in the championship driven by reigning APRC champion Armin Kremer of Germany and Japanese Katsuhiko Taguchi.
"It will be a shame if there will be no Indian driver competing in the India Rally," says Naren. Hopefully, this time, it won't come to that.
Girish Karkera

Caption: Naren last competed in the APRC in 2002