Indian Autorickshaw Challenge
Encyclopedia
The Indian Autorickshaw Challenge (also known as Rickshaw Challenge) is an international autorickshaw rally
self-styled as ‘an amazing race for the clinically insane’. The entrants use the ubiquitous Autorickshaw or Tuk-Tuk, workhorse of the urban east, to cross large portions of the Indian sub-continent in a matter of days. The simplicity of the Autorickshaw and the diversity of the landscape requires ingenuity and intrepid spirits from its participants. The Rickshaw Challenge currently has four distinct events. The most popular of them are the Classic Run and the Mumbai Xpress
. Each of these two rallies is designed as an escapade to test the entrant’s levels of endurance and perseverance, as well as for humanitarian projects, but are essentially not geared towards racing or competition, maintaining the spirit of the amateur adventurer.
to monsoon
rains to uncooperative cows on the roadways.
The route is within the southern Indian province of Tamil Nadu
, and extends down the southern coast of India
between the start lines in Besant Nagar
Beach, Chennai
to the checkered flag in Kanniyakumari at the sub-continent's southern tip.
The championship itself is composed of a series of activities along the route designed to challenge physical and mental agility, with points being awarded for their completion in addition to completing that day’s particular route.
is a significantly more extensive and demanding route than the Classic Run, covering 1921 km along India
’s west coast, through its central regions, and to the eastern coastal city of Chennai
. This rally is an increase of scale in all respects from the Classic Run, but maintains the same spirit of adventure and humanitarian awareness. There is also significantly more nightlife
on this route as it passes through famous beach
destinations such as Goa
.
Rally of 2009 itinerary is:
and ends in Hyderabad as well as the Malabar Rampage, which starts and ends in Chennai
.
Rally is their association with Round Table India
. Participants of these events are encouraged to raise funds towards charitable efforts in Tamil Nadu
and across India
.
Rallying
Rallying, also known as rally racing, is a form of auto racing that takes place on public or private roads with modified production or specially built road-legal cars...
self-styled as ‘an amazing race for the clinically insane’. The entrants use the ubiquitous Autorickshaw or Tuk-Tuk, workhorse of the urban east, to cross large portions of the Indian sub-continent in a matter of days. The simplicity of the Autorickshaw and the diversity of the landscape requires ingenuity and intrepid spirits from its participants. The Rickshaw Challenge currently has four distinct events. The most popular of them are the Classic Run and the Mumbai Xpress
The Mumbai Xpress
The Mumbai Xpress is an annual motorsport event that leaves from Chennai, India wherein competitors drive auto rickshaws across the Indian sub-continent to Mumbai. The first event took place in 2007 and the 3rd annual Mumbai Xpress will begin on July 31, 2009. The autorickshaw rally lasts two...
. Each of these two rallies is designed as an escapade to test the entrant’s levels of endurance and perseverance, as well as for humanitarian projects, but are essentially not geared towards racing or competition, maintaining the spirit of the amateur adventurer.
The Classic Run
This is the shorter and lower impact of the two events, spanning roughly 1000 kilometres, across 12 districts and one Union territory. The daily stretches can be up to 200 kilometres long, and can be strewn with significant natural and human obstacles, ranging from densely packed urban sprawlUrban sprawl
Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a multifaceted concept, which includes the spreading outwards of a city and its suburbs to its outskirts to low-density and auto-dependent development on rural land, high segregation of uses Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a...
to monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
rains to uncooperative cows on the roadways.
The route is within the southern Indian province of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, and extends down the southern coast of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
between the start lines in Besant Nagar
Besant Nagar
Besant Nagar is one of Chennai's well known neighbourhoods, named after the famous lady theosophist Annie Besant, and adjoins the Theosophical Society. The Theosophical Society Headquarters is located here. It was founded in 1875, and is a worldwide body whose primary objective is Universal...
Beach, Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
to the checkered flag in Kanniyakumari at the sub-continent's southern tip.
The championship itself is composed of a series of activities along the route designed to challenge physical and mental agility, with points being awarded for their completion in addition to completing that day’s particular route.
The Classic Run Route
The 2009/2010 Classic Run proposed itinerary will look like this:Day One December 29, 2009 Welcome Party in Chennai Chennai Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India... |
Day Two December 30, 2009 Registration and Autorickshaw Driving Education |
Day Three December 31, 2009 Chennai Chennai Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India... to Pondicherry via Muttukkadu, Mahabalipuram, Poonthandalam, Perundurai Perundurai Perundurai is a Town Panchayat and taluk in Erode district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on National Highway 47, which bye-passes the city of Erode from here, between Salem and Coimbatore.... , Kadapakkam, Agaram Agaram Agaram is a panchayat town in Vellore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Geography:Agaram is located at . It has an average elevation of 297 metres .-Demographics:... , and Koonimedu |
Day Four January 1, 2010 Day off for New Year New Year The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner.... celebration |
Day Five January 2, 2010 Pondicherry to Thanjavur via Periya Karaikkadu, , Keerapalayam, Puthur, Mayiladuthurai Mayiladuthurai Mayiladuthurai , formerly known by its Sanskrit names Māyavaram and Mayūram is a town in the Nagapattinam District of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Mayiladuthurai taluk of Nagapattinam district and is the second-largest town in the district... , Thirubuvanam Thirubuvanam Tirubuvanam is a village near Saliyamangalam in the Papanasam taluk of Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.... , Rajagiri, and Manangodai |
Day Six January 3, 2010 Thanjavur to Madurai Madurai Madurai is the third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the capital city of the Pandyan Kingdom. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District and is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and... via Kurungulam Keelpathi Kurungulam Keelpathi Kurungulam Keelpathi is a village in the Thanjavur taluk of Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India.- Demographics :As per the 2001 census, Kurungulam Keelpathi had a total population of 3460 with 1689 males and 1771 females. The sex ratio was 1049. The literacy rate was 55.79.... , Gandarvakottai, Pudukottai, Thirumayam Thirumayam Thirumayam is a place of historical importance located about 20 km south of the town of Pudukkottai in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu... , Thirupathur, Kellavadi, Melur Melur Melur is a town and a municipality in the Madurai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Melur is called Thaikramam . It is the biggest taluk within the Madurai District.... , and Othakadai Othakadai Othakadai is a panchayat town in Madurai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Demographics: India census,Othakadai had a population of 12,185. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Othakadai has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%:... |
| Day Seven January 4, 2010 Madurai Madurai Madurai is the third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the capital city of the Pandyan Kingdom. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District and is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and... to Rameshwaram via Kozhimedu, Thirubuvanam Thirubuvanam Tirubuvanam is a village near Saliyamangalam in the Papanasam taluk of Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.... , Thirupachetti, Manamadurai Manamadurai Manamadurai is a panchayat town in Sivaganga district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Geography:Manamadurai is located at It has an average elevation of 70 metres .shops-Demographics:... , Partipanur, Paramakudi Paramakudi Paramakudi is a town, a municipality in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The river Vaigai flows through Paramakudi on its way to the Bay of Bengal.-Demographics and location:... , Keelakottai, Ramanathapuram Ramanathapuram Ramanathapuram , also known as Ramnad, is a city and a municipality in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Ramanathapuram district.-Tourism:... , Uchipuli Uchipuli Uchipuli or Uchippuli is a locality in the Mandapam block of Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu, India. It is a major source of water supply for the Ramanathapuram town. Indian Navy's INS Parindh, commissioned on 26 March 2009, is located at Uchipuli.... , and Maraikayarpatinam |
Day Eight January 5, 2010 Rameshwaram to Tuticorin via Ramanathapuram Ramanathapuram Ramanathapuram , also known as Ramnad, is a city and a municipality in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Ramanathapuram district.-Tourism:... , Pudunaiakulam, Kottankulam, Sayalgudi Sayalgudi Sayalgudi is a panchayat town in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.- Demographics : India census, Sayalgudi had a population of 12,049. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Sayalgudi has an average literacy rate of 68%, higher than the national average of... , Vembar, Kalaignanapuram, Keela Arasaradi, and Krishnarajapuram |
Day Nine January 6, 2010 Tuticorin to Courtallam Courtallam Courtallam is a panchayat town situated at a mean elevation of on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, India. Many seasonal and a few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate in this region... via Pudukottai, Ariyanallur, Samathanapuram, Pudur, Salaipudu, and Chinthamani |
Day Ten January 7, 2010 Courtallam Courtallam Courtallam is a panchayat town situated at a mean elevation of on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, India. Many seasonal and a few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate in this region... to Kanniyakumari via Thiraisamy Puram, Alvar Kurichi, Mela Pudukottai, Vada Mullai Samudram, Ragunathapuram, and Karungulam |
Day Eleven January 8, 2010 Kanniyakumari to Chennai (train) Total: 937 km (582.2 mi) |
The Mumbai Xpress
The Mumbai XpressThe Mumbai Xpress
The Mumbai Xpress is an annual motorsport event that leaves from Chennai, India wherein competitors drive auto rickshaws across the Indian sub-continent to Mumbai. The first event took place in 2007 and the 3rd annual Mumbai Xpress will begin on July 31, 2009. The autorickshaw rally lasts two...
is a significantly more extensive and demanding route than the Classic Run, covering 1921 km along India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
’s west coast, through its central regions, and to the eastern coastal city of Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
. This rally is an increase of scale in all respects from the Classic Run, but maintains the same spirit of adventure and humanitarian awareness. There is also significantly more nightlife
Nightlife
Nightlife is the collective term for any entertainment that is available and more popular from the late evening into the early hours of the morning...
on this route as it passes through famous beach
Beach
A beach is a geological landform along the shoreline of an ocean, sea, lake or river. It usually consists of loose particles which are often composed of rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles or cobblestones...
destinations such as Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
.
The Mumbai Xpress Route
The Mumbai XpressThe Mumbai Xpress
The Mumbai Xpress is an annual motorsport event that leaves from Chennai, India wherein competitors drive auto rickshaws across the Indian sub-continent to Mumbai. The first event took place in 2007 and the 3rd annual Mumbai Xpress will begin on July 31, 2009. The autorickshaw rally lasts two...
Rally of 2009 itinerary is:
| Day One: Jul 31, 2009 kick-off Chennai Chennai Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India... to Vellore Vellore Vellore It is considered one of the oldest cities in South India and lies on the banks of the Palar river on the site of Vellore Fort. The city lies between Chennai and Bangalore and the Temple towns of Thiruvannamalai and Tirupati... 140 km (87 mi) |
Day Two: Aug 1, 2009 Vellore Vellore Vellore It is considered one of the oldest cities in South India and lies on the banks of the Palar river on the site of Vellore Fort. The city lies between Chennai and Bangalore and the Temple towns of Thiruvannamalai and Tirupati... to Bangalore Bangalore Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and... 200 km (124.3 mi) |
Day Three: Aug 2, 2009 Bangalore Bangalore Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and... to Hassan 203 km (126miles) |
| Day Four: Aug 3, 2009 Hassan to Manglore 258 km (160.3 mi) |
Day Five: Aug 4, 2009 Mangalore Mangalore Mangalore is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located about west of the state capital, Bangalore. Mangalore lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, and is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada district in south western... to Bhatkal Bhatkal Bhatkal is also known as Batecala in some historical text especially in Portuguese history.Once ruled by Jain King Bhattakalanka and thus the name. Bhatkal is a port town in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India 126 km from Karwar. The town lies on NH-17 running between Mumbai and Mangalore... 147 km (91.3 mi) |
Day Six: Aug 5, 2009 Bhatkal Bhatkal Bhatkal is also known as Batecala in some historical text especially in Portuguese history.Once ruled by Jain King Bhattakalanka and thus the name. Bhatkal is a port town in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India 126 km from Karwar. The town lies on NH-17 running between Mumbai and Mangalore... to Karwar Karwar Karwar is the administrative headquarters of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka, India. It is a seaside town situated on the banks of the Kali river which is on the west coast of the Indian peninsula. The town lies about 15 kilometres south of the Karnataka–Goa border and 519 km north-west... 130 km (80.8 mi) |
| Day Seven: Aug 6, 2009 Karwar Karwar Karwar is the administrative headquarters of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka, India. It is a seaside town situated on the banks of the Kali river which is on the west coast of the Indian peninsula. The town lies about 15 kilometres south of the Karnataka–Goa border and 519 km north-west... to Panjim 110 km (68.4 mi) |
Day Eight: Aug 8, 2009 Sight-seeing in Goa Goa Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its... |
Day Nine: Aug 9, 2009 Panjim to Malvan Malvan Malvan is a town in Sindhudurg District, the southernmost district of Maharashtra. This culturally and historically important town is a Taluka place in Sindhudurg District... 90 km (55.9 mi) |
| Day Ten: Aug 10, 2009 Malvan Malvan Malvan is a town in Sindhudurg District, the southernmost district of Maharashtra. This culturally and historically important town is a Taluka place in Sindhudurg District... to Ratnagiri Ratnagiri Ratnāgiri is a port city on the Arabian Sea coast in Ratnagiri district in the southwestern part of Maharashtra, India. The district is a part of Konkan.The Sahyadri mountains border Ratnagiri to the east... 193 km (119.9 mi) |
Day Eleven: Aug 11, 2009 Ratnagiri Ratnagiri Ratnāgiri is a port city on the Arabian Sea coast in Ratnagiri district in the southwestern part of Maharashtra, India. The district is a part of Konkan.The Sahyadri mountains border Ratnagiri to the east... to Mahabaleshwar Mahabaleshwar Mahabaleshwar is a city and a municipal council in Satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is a hill station located in the Western Ghats range. With one of the few evergreen forests of the world, it served as the summer capital of Bombay province during the British Raj.-Geography... 210 km (130.5 mi) |
Day Twelve: Aug 12, 2009 Mahabaleshwar Mahabaleshwar Mahabaleshwar is a city and a municipal council in Satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is a hill station located in the Western Ghats range. With one of the few evergreen forests of the world, it served as the summer capital of Bombay province during the British Raj.-Geography... to Alibagh 140 km (87 mi) |
| Day Thirteen: Aug 13, 2009 Alibagh to Mumbai Mumbai Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million... 100 km (62.1 mi) Night Party in Mumbai Mumbai Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million... Total: 1921 km (1191 miles) |
Additional Rallies
The Rickshaw Challenge also includes the Tech Raid, an autorickshaw tour that starts in ChennaiChennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
and ends in Hyderabad as well as the Malabar Rampage, which starts and ends in Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
.
Humanitarian Focus
One of the most important elements of both the Classic Rally and the Mumbai XpressThe Mumbai Xpress
The Mumbai Xpress is an annual motorsport event that leaves from Chennai, India wherein competitors drive auto rickshaws across the Indian sub-continent to Mumbai. The first event took place in 2007 and the 3rd annual Mumbai Xpress will begin on July 31, 2009. The autorickshaw rally lasts two...
Rally is their association with Round Table India
Round Table India
The Round Table is internationally a friendship organisation, founded in Norwich, England in 1927. The Round Table is a club for young men aged between 18 and 40 that provides a selection of social and community service related opportunities for its members...
. Participants of these events are encouraged to raise funds towards charitable efforts in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
and across India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.