Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 10
In June, Kohima will witness the first ever supercross event organised in Nagaland under the banner of the premier motor sports governing body of the country – the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI). The competition – NAC Open Supercross will be held at the Kohima local ground from June 1-3. Supercross competitions exclusively feature motor-cycle racing in closed arenas complete with artificial dirt tracks and obstacles.
Nagaland Adventure Club (NAC), the organisation which founded and pushed the now popular Horsepower Challenge to nationwide attention, termed the event as a national level competition with around 50 riders from Nagaland, the north-east and the mainland expected to participate.
KK Paul Rutsa, NAC president at a press conference in Dimapur today stated that at least 7-8 professional riders from the mainland has shown interest and are expected to compete. With motor sports in Nagaland mostly self-funded, Rutsa underlined the significance of the FMSCI presence, saying, “It’s an opportunity for Naga competitors to attract the attention of (corporate) sponsors.” According to him, riders from Mizoram, who have excelled in the sport, are now competing with corporate sponsorship.
A high level of professional is expected as the races will be conducted under FMSCI rules with stewards from the federation officiating.
The competition will feature four categories for engines upto the 500cc class – Experts, Novice, Open and a special category for competitors from Nagaland. Competitors in the Experts, Novice and the special categories can only use Indian-manufactured motor-cycles, while those in the Open category can use foreign or Indian-manufactured motor-cycles.
It will carry a total cash prize of Rs. 3 lakhs. Competitors from outside the state will be provided free lodging and transportation expenses. Entry fee for competitors will range from Rs. 500-3000 depending on the category.
Rutsa further expressed confidence that the NAC Open Supercross will become a yearly fixture, while adding that more of such FMSCI supported competitions become regular events in the other NE states as well.
