Mascarenhas gears up for French Gravel debut

Indian rally driver Dean Mascarenhas is all set to make his international debut in the French Gravel Rally Championship, kicking off from October 10 to 12. The Mangaluru-born driver will be the sole Indian competitor in a field of 125 drivers, showcasing his talent on European gravel stages for the first time.

Mascarenhas, representing TSI Racing, will pilot a Peugeot 208 GT Line in the Rally4 class of the FRC4 category. He will be guided by his experienced Brazilian co-driver, Gabriel Morales, as the duo tackles the challenging 150 km of timed competitive stages around Millau in France’s Aveyron region. The course spans rural roads and forest tracks, testing drivers’ skill and endurance over two action-packed days.

A former winner of the Coimbatore round of the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC), Mascarenhas’ move to European rallying comes through a partnership between TSI Racing, Sidvin Energy Engineering, and MRF Tyres. Car number 66 will carry Mascarenhas as he competes against seasoned international drivers, aiming to make a mark in his first overseas outing.

The Rallye Terre des Cardabelles, first held in 1984, is a prestigious fixture in the French Gravel Rally calendar, and Mascarenhas’ participation signals a new chapter for Indian rallying on the international stage.