Wheels

Motor shows in the city are a platform for zany bikes and top-of-the-line cars but Mumbai does not have the infrastructure to allow these speed demons to zip across the city

Wheels

Motor shows in the city are a platform for zany bikes and top-of-the-line cars but Mumbai does not have the infrastructure to allow these speed demons to zip across the city

It was all about speed and splendour as bikers got ready to display exhilarating stunts at the Mumbai International Motor Show 2011 at the MMRDA Grounds in Bandra Kurla Complex on Thursday.

The bikers were practising for the Sportscraft Supercross competition starting today.
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A biker performs a stunt at the MMRDA Grounds in Bandra Kurla Complex

The show began with the roaring sound of bikes and death defying stunts performed by the bikers on the 300m dirt track, some of them appeared to be straight out of Bollywood's action packed movie Dhoom.

The bike show, on Thursday, did not see a large audience but organisers expect a huge crowd for the final on Saturday.

Mahinder Singh Prince (22) had come all the way from Delhi to take part in the bike-racing event held at the motor show. True to his name, the Prince did manage to woo the audience with his racing skills. "My parents were against bike racing but I rebelled to follow my passion," said Prince.

Unlike Prince, it was Vineeth Kurup's (23) father who encouraged him to become a bike racer. Kurup who has been practising bike racing since 2006 said, "It is all about passion," before he zoomed off on his race bike.

Badal Doshi (33) was all set to kick up some dirt with his top class racing bike worth Rs 5 lakhs. Doshi has been a biker for almost 17 years now and has represented India in international events.

"The automobile industry in India is one of the largest in the world butu00a0 unfortunately, there is not much scope for bike racing. Look at our roads," laments Doshi, who works at a construction firm in Mumbai. Doshi, who hails from Navi Mumbai practises at his friend's farmhouse every morning to hone his skills.

Concurs bike enthusiast, Rahul Mishra (25), "Infrastructure on the whole is a problem in our country and when it comes to infrastructure for such an expensive sport like bike racing.
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That's a big question mark."u00a0 The bikes and bikers will be allowed to participate in the competition only after proper 'scrutiny'.

"They need to have proper head gear, gloves, license and there are other pre-requisites. Only then will we allow them to take part in the event," explains Shrikant Karani of Sportscraft.

Ask about the risks it involves and Karani says with a smile, "Everything involves risks. Even cricket is risky." Well looks like, these are riders definitely on a storm.

Star attraction

The Motor Show 2011 was inaugurated by the star cast of soon-to-be released movie 'Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji'. Actor Ajay Devgn said, "My favourite car is Scorpio.

It's tough and goes well with my personality." Actor Omi Vaidya said that he loved vintage cars but his favourite car has always been the 'ambassador'. "I attended my first motor show when I was just five years old," said Vaidya.

Vintage cars

The most expensive cars in the show were vintage cars, priced at more than a crore each, which brought back memories of a bygone era. These cars dated from the 18th century to the 20th century, brought a whiff of nostalgia to the show.

Supercars

The city will play host to another Super Car event. The third Mumbai edition of the Parx Super Car Show would be held on January 23, 2011 at Vidhan Bhavan Parking Lot.

Says Gautam Singhania, chairman of the Super Car Club (SCC), "The Club has witnessed an exponential growth in the member base from about 20 in 2009 to 250 today, and still growing.

Also, the sheer spread of members across India has encouraged us to open fresh chapters in New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore so far."