Goa’s celebrated rally driver Vaibhav Marathe notched up a 5th place finish at the prestigious Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) – India round held from 25th to 27th April 2025 at the world-class Madras International Circuit and hosted by Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC).
The event officially titled the Indu Chandhok Memorial Champions Trophy, was sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) as part of the gruelling APRC calendar, attracting top drivers from across the Asia-Pacific region.
This year, Goa had a strong representation, with former Indian National Rally champion driver Vaibhav Marathe leading the way. Known for his exceptional rally skills, speed and consistency; Vaibhav delivered a commendable performance over the three-day event.
The rally featured a challenging mix of high-speed circuit runs and demanding gravel stages, thoroughly testing the technical abilities of both drivers and machines.
Although narrowly missing a podium finish, Vaibhav showcased outstanding grit and resilience, ultimately securing a 5th place in the overall standings. His performance earned him a cash prize of ₹1 lakh (awarded as ₹50,000 + ₹50,000 for driver and co-driver). This remarkable achievement further cements his reputation as Goa’s elite motorsport ace.
Other Goan participants, including Aditya Naik and Omkar Naik, also exhibited strong performances. Unfortunately, both faced technical setbacks; Aditya Naik’s car suffered a major breakdown midway through the race, forcing him to withdraw, and Omkar Naik faced a similar fate.
The Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Govind Gaude graced the event as the Chief Guest at the prize distribution ceremony. He was warmly welcomed by Vamsi Merla, the event’s sponsor, along with the President of the Madras Motor Sports Club and other distinguished dignitaries.
The Minister, who has previously witnessed and supported multiple state-level rallies in Goa, spent two hours at the Madras International Track, enthusiastically observing the thrilling action and international-level competition. In his address, Gaude expressed his excitement at the level of talent displayed, particularly by Vaibhav Marathe. He further announced plans to develop a dedicated motorsport track in Goa, reinforcing the state’s potential as a hub for motorsport tourism and providing more opportunities for local talent to compete at national and international levels.
Congratulating Vaibhav Marathe for his performance and cash prize, the Sports Minister assured that the Government of Goa will extend all necessary support to nurture motorsports in the state and encourage more young athletes to excel in this dynamic field, stated a press release.
