Gaurav Gill – the name is synonymous with Indian motorsport and for good reason. He is a five-time National Rally Champion and has won the prestigious Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) twice, once in 2013 and again in December last year, thus making him the reigning champion.
He was Asia’s best driver in the world rankings in 2011 and till date remains the first and only Indian to win an APRC title. In light of his spectacular performances, he has been nominated for the Arjuna Award by the Federation of Motor Sports Club of India (FMSCI) for the second time in three years.
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No athlete from the motorsport fraternity has so far been conferred with the Arjuna Award yet, something Gill feels is not right.
“For many years, I have been doing my best and will continue to do so. There is a bunch of 15-20 of us who represent India in events across the world and are not given our due recognition by the government,” laments Gill.
The award will be a huge step in the right direction and he feels that it will be more important for the sport itself than for him.
“It would mean a lot personally but it is more important for motorsports. We are seen as entertainers indulging in a pastime but we are much more than that. We are proper athletes like all the others.”
Arjuna Award will be a big boost for motorsports in India
The lack of government recognition is a long-standing issue which has turned into a ‘blame-game’, in the words of Gill. The award will be a huge relief and will encourage more people to take up motorsports at a higher level.
“The Arjuna Award will be the next big achievement for motorsports in the country. Government support and recognition are crucial,” feels the 35-year-old. And understandably so. Motorsports is widely perceived as an expensive one that requires a huge amount of financial resources and backing.
And drivers such as Gill have to pay import duty to customs officials for parts such as suspension and seats, with rates going up to 30-40%. It is an extremely daunting prospect for anyone who might be looking to enter the sport.
“It is a hurdle but there are many other sports such as shooting that require much more expenditure on a daily basis. With some help from the government and efforts from the existing motorsports fraternity, we can help reduce the costs and hence increase the reach at the grassroots level,” says Gill.
He is already giving training sessions on advanced driving and drifting in schools across the world and is now planning to start his own academy very soon to help train budding racers. “It will be situated in Gurgaon and will be open to everyone. We will provide as many facilities as possible and will look to cover different types of motorsports.”
Gill has tons of experience in rally racing and biking but recently, he took part in the Nexa P1 Powerboat Championship along with biker CS Santosh, where the duo finished in third place – an experience he felt was “fascinating” and one he will continue to keep a keen eye on in the coming years.
“I underestimated it to an extent and found it completely different to the other forms of racing I’ve done. Every corner is different and requires a high degree of technical skill.
“You have to really watch out for the natural waves as well as the ones generated by the other boats and it’s a real challenge. I really enjoyed!”
India is on the rise in the sporting world across a wide spectrum of sports and motorsports is certainly one of them. Support and recognition from the government will surely go a long way in helping it grow and fulfill its potential.
