Mumbai, March 9, 2024 – In a revved-up tribute to International Women’s Day, the streets of Mumbai to Pune echoed with the roar of engines as the JK Tyre WIAA Women’s Rally to the Valley 2024 zoomed into action today. With about 300 spirited women across 100 cars donning the driver’s and navigator’s seats, this event was not just a race but a rolling rally for change.
Flagged off from the National Sports Club of India (NSCI) in Worli, Mumbai, under the watchful eyes of Anil Kumbhare, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), the rally set the stage for a weekend of high-octane excitement with a noble twist. The Western India Automobile Association (WIAA), together with JK Tyre, presented this unique event, now a much-anticipated fixture in the women’s motorsport calendar.
Sanjay Sharma, the Head-Motorsport at JK Tyre, couldn’t hide his enthusiasm, “For over a decade, our partnership with WIAA has turbocharged our mission to democratize motorsport. Witnessing the growing grid of women participants each year fuels our ambition. This month, we’re not just celebrating women; we’re accelerating women empowerment with initiatives across India.”
This year’s rally wasn’t just about crossing the finish line; it was a powerful platform for participants to spotlight societal speed bumps – from women’s safety and mental health awareness to supporting farmers, saving the girl child, and fostering social acceptance.
Racing under the banner of FMSCI (Federation of Motor Sport Clubs of India), the rally embraced the TSD (Time, Speed, and Distance) format – a test of precision driving and navigation rather than outright speed, making motorsport accessible to anyone with a driving spirit and a cause.
JK Tyre WIAA’s “Women’s Rally to the Valley” is more than an event; it’s a movement on wheels, pushing the envelope for women in motorsport and beyond. Over the years, JK Tyre has been instrumental in the careers of women champions like Shriya Lohia, Mira Erda, and Sneha Sharma, putting India on the global motorsport map. Moreover, with initiatives like the Girls on Track (GoT) program under FMSCI, JK Tyre is not just scouting talent; it’s shaping the future of women in motorsport, one lap at a time.
So, as these daring women navigated through the challenges of the route and society, they didn’t just drive cars; they drove change, making this year’s “Rally to the Valley” a race to remember.
