Ilyas wins Sprint de Bengaluru, Mascarenhas second

Bengaluru, March 24 (IANS) Keralas Younus Ilyas survived a late attack from Bengalurus Dean Mascarenhas to dramatically win the INRC overall and INRC 2 categories in the Sprint de Bengaluru 2019, the curtain-raiser event to the FMSC Indian National Rally Championship, here on Sunday.

Ilyas along with his navigator Harish Gowda seemed to be in control after storming into a comfortable 10-second lead in the night stage on Saturday.

But Mascarenhas, an acknowledged champion driving in the INRC 3 category, showed a glimpse of his speed and prowess on Sunday. Despite driving his stock car, which clearly didn't have enough power, he began Day 2 with a bang, finishing just 2 seconds off Ilyas' well prepared Cedia.

He was equally brilliant in the next stage, clocking 4:58.30, just one second behind Ilyas.

The two stages, at LG Tranquil, tested drivers and cars thoroughly, with tarmac, gravel, loose soil, sharp climbs and steep falls marking the route. It gave the crowd a bird's eye view of the entire run, making for a great holiday treat.

Mascarenhas then came into his own, winning the next two stages at the LG Champions County track handsomely. With only long straights and sharp curves and turns to conquer, he went all out and gained 9 seconds and 8 seconds each to make up for his 10-second shortfall in the opening stage.

A happy Ilyas praised the stages. "It was a great outing. I loved being out here! The stages were interesting and were challenging at times. I am glad to have come out on top," he said.

Dhruva Chandrashekar, with his accomplished navigator Musa Sherif, quietly made his way up to take the second place in the INRC overall category. They clinched the INRC 3 category in the process.