Shillong: In a landmark achievement for Meghalaya motorsport, Aneesh M. Sangma of the Tura Motor Sports Club (TMSC), along with co-driver Dinky Varghese of Coimbatore, clinched first place in the Gypsy Class (Group F) at a prestigious national rally event governed by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the country’s premier motorsport body. This monumental win marks a historic first for the state, firmly placing Tura and the Garo Hills region on the national motorsport map.
Piloting car number 62, the duo showcased an electrifying performance over two intense days of competitive stages. Their combined timing of 01:07:46.000 on Day 1 and a blistering 00:33:30.700 on Day 2 underscored their flawless execution and remarkable driving consistency, propelling them to the top of the podium. Post-victory, an elated Aneesh described the experience as “absolutely mind-blowing—fast-paced pace notes, high-speed corners, caution calls—it’s chaos, it’s control, and above all, it’s pure fun.”
For Aneesh, this triumph is the culmination of a two-decade-long dream, ignited back in 2005 when he first witnessed a national rally in the Garo Hills. “This victory isn’t mine alone—it’s for Tura, for Garo Hills, and for every motorsport enthusiast in Northeast India. We’re finally on the INRC map, and we’re here to stay,” he stated with immense pride. He also extended his sincere gratitude to Meghalaya Chief Minister Shri Sanjay Sangma (MLA, Mahendraganj) and the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs for their pivotal support in recognising motorsport as a serious discipline.
Beyond his personal glory, Aneesh utilised the national platform to spotlight Bilgaro, the Garo Hills’ premier motorsport festival, annually organised by TMSC. The upcoming 10th anniversary edition, ‘Bilgaro X’, slated for November 2025, is anticipated to draw significant national attention. “Teams in the INRC paddock already know about Bilgaro. I’ve personally invited national rally teams and senior drivers this year. I believe we’ll see top names on our entry list,” he added, hinting at a promising future for the local event.
Sangma’s groundbreaking achievement signifies a turning point for the Northeast, challenging the long-standing dominance of South and West India in the sport. “This is just the beginning. We have the passion and the talent—now we need the infrastructure and consistent exposure,” he asserted, laying down a clear vision for the region’s burgeoning racing future.
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