For international rallies, Goa is a good venue. In September 2001, Goa will play host to the India Rally. Fields, uncultivated in the current summer season, are readying to double up as an autocross venue in the Goan village of Parra, some 10 km from here. Driver skills are needed over outright power, but at high, adrenaline-pumping speeds. Autocross is undertaken in an enclosed layout using hay bales, plastic cones, pegs, tapes and tire buffers on a large dirt area, such as a smooth open field.
Drivers compete in autocross events individually, against the clock.
The winner is the one who completes the course fastest. Since the venue is an open dirt space, the risk of suspension damage to the vehicle is remote. They can let off some steam here. All England Champion and world number 6 Pullela Gopichand of India was today defeated by fourth seed Chen Hong of China in the quarterfinals of the World Badminton Championships here today. Yasin adds to Indian joy, reaches Asian snooker semis Yasin Merchant has turned out to be the icing on what has been a wonderful week for Indian sport, with the cueist cruising into the semifinals of the Asian snooker championships being played at Karachi.