Sports
JK Tyre-WIAA Women’s Car Rally to Valley 2026 flagged off in Mumbai
Over 200 women take part in TSD-format event promoting road safety and empowerment.
MUMBAI: The JK Tyre-WIAA Women’s Car Rally to Valley just revved up with a powerful message because when women take the wheel for a cause, even the hills start cheering them on. The eighth edition of the JK Tyre-WIAA Women’s Car Rally to Valley 2026 was flagged off today from the NSCI in Mumbai in a vibrant ceremony that blended festive energy with a strong social purpose. Flagged off by Nitin Dossa, Chairman of the Western India Automobile Association (WIAA), along with JK Tyre officials, the rally saw over 200 women participants set off in vehicles decorated around themes of women empowerment, cancer awareness, gender equality and more.
Dressed in themed attire and cheered on by families and supporters, the participants embarked on a 125 km journey to the Novotel Imagicaa hotel in Khopoli using the Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) format. Unlike traditional races, the TSD format emphasises precision, consistency and teamwork over raw speed, testing both driving skill and strategic pacing on Mumbai’s hilly roads.
JK Tyre & Industries director of sales & marketing Srinivasu Allaphan said, “For over a decade, we have been committed to encouraging women’s participation in motorsport, and the JK Tyre–WIAA Women’s Car Rally to Valley stands as a testament to that vision. Now a marquee event, the rally celebrates the spirit of motorsport while championing important social causes.”
Organised by the 107-year-old Western India Automobile Association (WIAA), the rally has evolved into a vibrant platform for womanhood, resilience and road safety awareness. This year’s edition carried forward the spirit of global campaigns like #CommitToLife and #BeSafeBeStrong.
In a country where roads can test both skill and patience, this rally isn’t just about reaching the finish line, it’s about women taking the wheel, raising voices, and proving that when it comes to safety and empowerment, every kilometre counts.
Sports
Ashish Limaye bags gold and bronze at Montelibretti 2026 event
Indian rider shines in Italy, gains ground ahead of higher-level tests
MUMBAI: Ashish Limaye delivered a strong performance on the international stage, clinching both gold and bronze at the FEI Eventing Competition Montelibretti 2026 held in Italy earlier this month.
Competing against riders from across the globe, Limaye secured the top podium finish in the CCI 2 Long Format riding Easy Turn, registering a score of 30.2 in a field that featured participants from five nations. He followed it up with a bronze medal in the CCI 2 Short Format aboard Willy Be Dun, scoring 32 in a much larger and highly competitive pool of 66 riders representing nine countries.
Reflecting on the outing, Fédération Equestre Internationale event rider Ashish Limaye said, “Riding at Montelibretti was amazing. To compete with such talented riders from around the world was fantastic. I’m really happy with the results and the effort our team has put in.”
Beyond the podium finishes, Limaye also achieved a milestone result on D’Avril du Pinier, earning a Minimum Eligibility Requirement, bringing him closer to qualifying for the FEI World Equestrian Games.
While the Montelibretti competition was not a direct qualifier for major multi-sport events, it serves as a crucial stepping stone as Limaye prepares to move up to the more demanding CCI 3 level.
With momentum firmly on his side, the Indian rider now looks set to build on this success as he targets bigger stages in the global equestrian circuit.
