Kolkata has been facing its most cruel summer in the past many decades. Never before has city witnessed the kind of heat wave that befell upon us in the past few weeks. The scorching sun and absence of rain had sent the temperatures through the roof. But it wasn’t only these factors which sent the mercury soaring, as a bevy of Indian Heritage Cars turned up the heat by several notches on Sunday, April 28 as Eastern India Motoring Group organized the inaugural edition of the EIMG Indian Heritage Car Rally.

Time stood still as the immaculately restored Contessa, Hindustan Land Master, Fiat 1100, Standard Vanguard, Fiat Select, Standard 10, Fiat Super Select, Hindustan Ambassador Mark 3, Fiat Millecento, Contessa Classic and Maruti 800 among several other notable Indian heritage cars participated in what was eastern India’s first Indian Heritage Car Rally in the Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) format organized under the guidance of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) – the apex body of motor sports in the country.

This rally was the brainchild of EIMG Secretary Shubhajit Kumar and was specifically conceived to address the general apathy displayed by other motoring organizations towards the Indian Heritage Cars. This unique initiative was strongly supported by EIMG President Shrivardhan Kanoria and part sponsored by Rajiv Auto Care along with other patrons.

Organized in collaboration with the Kolkata Automotive Sports Association (KASA) and the Automobile Association of Eastern India (AAEI), the EIMG Indian Heritage Car Rally 2024 was a testament to the enduring charm of Indian heritage automobiles and unfolded as a grand showcase of automotive history & passion.

The rally brought together 24 teams, who participated in well turned out Indian heritage cars, each boasting a legacy of over 35 years. The flag-off ceremony was held at Automobile Association of Eastern India (AAEI) in the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including the Consul General of Italy Mr. Ricardo, KASA Secretary Mr. Debashish Bhattacharjee, and AAEI Hony. Secretary Mr. Prabir Roy.

Against the backdrop of roaring engines, the rally commenced sharp at 9 AM marking the beginning of an unforgettable journey through time and tradition. Despite the challenging conditions, with unforgiving heat prevailing, both man & machine showcased immense resilience as they traversed a maximum distance of 35 kilometres passing by some of the most beautiful heritage locations like Princep Ghat, Raj Bhavan, Akashbani Bhavan, General Post Office, Calcutta High Court, Writers’ Buildings, KC Das and Oberoi Grand.

Out of the 24 participating teams who embarked on this nostalgic voyage, 15 teams successfully completed the challenging course, a testament to their grit and determination. Along the route, participants encountered 10 time control points – a signature hallmark of a TSD Rally.

The team of Pushpak Ghosh & Rudrangsho Dey participating in a 1959 Fiat emerged victorious with 01 minute 06 seconds penalty. Closely following them on the second position was the duo of Vikramjit Kumar & Souradeep Dutta driving a Fiat 1100D finishing with 01 minute and 14 seconds penalty. The team of Sudip Kumar Ghosh & Soham Pal participating in a 1957 Fiat secured the third position of the podium with 04 minutes 12 seconds penalty.

The pair of Jubonashya Dutta & Nisan Chowdhury driving a Fiat 1100 recorded a penalty of 04 minutes 25 seconds while the team of Vivekanda Taanti & Ayan Das participating in a 1968 Fiat finished with 25 minutes 30 seconds penalty securing the fourth and fifth positions respectively.

Notably, an all-ladies team comprising of Anuja Kumar, Sreerupa Sirkar and Dipasree Ganguly who participated in a Contessa successfully completed the rally route breaking gender stereotypes and embodying the spirit of inclusivity in motorsport. The 1955 Standard owned by IK Ghosh emerged as the oldest Indian heritage car to successfully complete the rally route.

The EIMG Indian Heritage Car Rally 2024 not only celebrated the timeless charm of Indian heritage automobiles but also paid homage to the enduring spirit of Indian motoring culture. As participants navigated through the scenic route, they not only reminisced about the glory days of automotive design but also embraced the camaraderie that unites enthusiasts of all generations.

In essence, the rally was more than just a showcase of Indian heritage cars; it was a tribute to passion, perseverance, and the enduring bond between man and machine. As the engines roared and the wheels turned, the EIMG Indian Heritage Car Rally 2024 left an indelible mark on the annals of Kolkata’s motoring history, reminding us all of the timeless allure of Indian heritage automobiles and the joy of the open road.

Photographs courtesy: Kingshuk Sarkar