Partner with a visually-impaired navigator and drive your way to the finish line

No driver likes being told how to drive by a passenger, but those behind the steering wheel at the O2 Car Rally this weekend are all for it — drivers will have no idea what the route is, and will be dependent completely on their visually-impaired navigators.

“The route will be typed out in Braille and handed out right before the race,” says Dipti Bhatia, CEO of National Association for the Blind’s (NAB) Tamil Nadu chapter. The association has been organising the race for the last 29 years — 2019 will be it’s 30th edition. Bhatia recalls winning the rally in its first edition: in fact, her team of four went on to win the two consecutive ones as well.

“We stopped after our hat trick,” she laughs, before driving home her point: “Friendships are formed here. This is one sport where participants really depend on each other; it creates a bond. And they invariably stay in touch.”

Creating such friendships has been the intention behind this rally from the very beginning, explains Nina Reddy, joint managing director, Savera Hotel, (one of the event’s main sponsors and organiser) and president of NAB. “Which is why the prizes include dinner vouchers for the team as a whole, so they can celebrate together. The ₹500 entry fee also covers lunch for the day, though most of the proceeds go to NAB. ” Camaraderie and fun are high priority.

“The route is specific; we have marshals standing at check points to spot the cars. If you miss a check point, you get 30 penalty points. The speed is specified as well. Reaching too early earns you twice as many penalty points as reaching late does,” explains Bhatia.

Besides the driver and navigator, each team also includes a person to note down the route as explained by the navigator, and another to keep an eye out for check points.

“The navigators can register separately and we’ll find them partners, but drivers have to bring in teams,” says Bhatia, adding that she expects at least 75 teams this year.
The rally will begin on February 3 at 9 am from Savera Hotel, Mylapore. There is a briefing session for participants on February 2. For details and registration, call 9710947355.