OVERDRIVE's Top 10 Motorsport Features Of 2018
It's been a year of travel and adventure for Team OD, as far as covering motorsport stories goes. From going all the way to Peru and Bolivia for the 2018 Dakar Rally, to following the fortunes of racers, who have battled long and hard for well-deserved titles, in the national championships. To getting to drive some iconic old and new race machines. Here's our top 10 list of motorsport features from 2018:
Shumi had the opportunity to chase the Dakar as it wound through the sand dunes in Peru. The sheer feats of human resilience that he witnessed meant that he came away awestruck by how sometimes the lines between man and God are blurred.
Dakar 2018 Part 1: Going for Broke
One team. Three different riders, three different riding styles. And varied fortunes. A feature that tracks the progress of the Hero MotoSports Team Rally outfit as the Dakar moved from Lima, Peru, into La Paz, Bolivia for the rest day.
All the world's a stage for Gaurav Gill who heads to WRC2 in 2018
This is the leap that we've all been waiting for. For Gaurav Gill to finally make the jump to the global rally scene, which he managed to do in 2018 with Team MRF entering WRC2. Ahead of his debut, Gill reflected on the journey that led him to three APRC crowns, and what lies ahead.
The Dakar 2018 came close to breaking CS Santosh. He said that he wanted to give up, to quit, midway through the rally. Not once, but twice. This is the story of his fourth attempt at conquering the gruelling rally - the life lessons it taught him, the strength he discovered, and the resilience that kept him going.
Like a broken record: Our ode to the Nurburgring and Pikes Peak record runs
The magnificent record runs at the Nurburgring, where Porsche shattered the overall lap record in their 919 Evo, and at Pikes Peak, where VW's electric ID.R broke the overall lap record, moved us to write some verse. And how could we resist? After all, racecars are poetry in motion.
Growing pains: Karthik Tharani on his return to single-seater racing
Karthik Tharani's dogged pursuit of his motorsport goals and dreams is inspiring. The young Indian racer hasn't always had an easy time, and he hasn't always got things right. But he's managed to use all of the experiences gone by, learn, and grow. Tuhin takes us through this journey.
Five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell on spending a lifetime in motorsport
Derek Bell sat down with Team OD to reflect on a long career in motorsport that included five Le Mans wins, massive success in other forms of motor racing, and the odd regret that he has about his career. And we discover that even after so many years in racing, he has no intention of slowing down.
F1nal Fantasy: Driving a Lotus Renault E20 Formula 1 car at the Paul Ricard circuit
Vaishali got to drive a 2012 Lotus Renault E20 Formula 1 car at the Paul Ricard circuit, and was so completely overwhelmed by the experience, she dissolved into tears right there in the cockpit. This is that story.
Why the Historic Monaco GP should be on your bucket list
If you're a motorsport nut, with a penchant for old race machines, you simply must visit the Monaco GP Historique held on the streets of Monte Carlo every two years. We went there in May 2018, and had trouble picking our jaws up off the ground. It was motorsport time travel in the truest sense.
Ready to Race: Volkswagen Vento TC4-A racecar first drive review
Volkswagen Motorsport India keeps busy, not just running their racing series - the Ameo Cup - but also tinkering away in their facility in Chakan. They build some of the best racecars, ones that you can go out and buy ready to race, in the country. Shumi got behind the wheel of their latest machine at the BIC and couldn't stop grinning!