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Pragathi Gowda, India's rising star in motorsports, made history with a remarkable debut at the Rallye des Vallees 2024, securing third place in the Rally - 5 car class with a timing of 23:51.8.
Pragathi Gowda, India’s rising star in motorsports, made history with a remarkable debut at the Rallye des Vallees 2024, securing third place in the Rally – 5 car class with a timing of 23:51.8. This achievement marks her as first Indian rallyist to podium in her debut race. Competing alongside seasoned drivers, including France’s National Champion Yoan Corberand, who finished first in her class, Pragathi’s performance was noteworthy.
After three months of intensive training in Europe, the 26-year-old, partnered with Brazilian co-driver Gabriel Morales, not only clinched a podium spot in her category but also finished an impressive 37th overall. Reflecting on her experience, Pragathi described the rally as challenging but rewarding. She praised the support from her team and highlighted her rapid adaptation to the high-speed demands of the race, where she achieved speeds up to 165 km/h and averaged 102 km/h.
Driving a Renault Clio Rally 5 fitted with Indian-made MRF tyres, Pragathi showcased significant improvement, notably slashing her stage times by 32 seconds across the second and third special stages. Her exceptional performance on the narrow, high-speed asphalt roads earned her admiration from local champions. Pragathi is now set to compete in upcoming Rallye Terre de Lozere, eager to continue her impressive rally career.