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Roshan Kumar Mogali

Posted: Apr 05, 2008 at 0313 hrs IST

This weekend, do not be surprised if you see around seven to eight cars zooming past you and heading towards Mulshi, Mahableshwar or preferably Lonavala. The drivers are no renegades nor are they formidable members of some daunting gang. These are members of Team-BHP, an online forum for lovers of all things on wheels, off on their regular, relaxing drives.

These members like their rides fast and polished. The diverse auto-lovers, fans of different makes and models of cars, meet online to discuss about their obsession numero uno - cars.

Karl Bhote is a 22-year-old engineering student who has been an active member of Team-BHP since two years. Going by the name of Karlosdevil on the forum, Bhote's primary yield obtained from his association is the satiation of his passion in life – vintage and classic cars. Driven by a curiosity related to them, Bhote spends interminable hours on the forum discussing and volleying estimations anent their present whereabouts and conditions.

Suhail Bajaj goes by the moniker of swale84. A member since August 2005, he can't stop exulting about his esoteric fraternity. "All of us have grown from acquaintances to close friends," says Bajaj. Testament to this is the drive down to Goa that ten members from the group participated in. And the occasion – Suhail's birthday celebrations. Four fun-filled, frivolous days were spent in Goa by the team of ten.

But generally, the impetuous meets of Team-BHP do not require scheduling and planning weeks ahead of the drive. Their drive-plans are settled in just hours before a weekend sans any previous notifications and are organised by Kiran Chitnis, an active member. And the minimum turnout is no less than six to seven members, ready for a weekend getaway with their cars, the whole kit and caboodle.

Their gas-powered chariots ready to blast off, other than the offline meets and drives, their online forum is abuzz with automotive discussion. Gautam Prakash, an IT consultant, discovered Team-BHP when he was looking for people who could help him find an affordable and efficient car. He struck gold when he crossed ways with Team-BHP on the web. Hooked onto the forum since first sight, Gautam never fails to be surprised at the car-related insights on the forum.

The forum also has been a platform for buying and selling of used cars and car accessories. Team-BHP is one of the many technical forums Amey Gokhale, a businessman, is a member of. A proud owner of two cars, his prominent obsession is car audio and performance-related information. He vividly describes their tri-weekly meets at cafés and restaurants in the city. "If it is anything related to cars, it is on our discussion agenda," he smiles. He also enthused his friend Dhaval Golwilkar into being a member. Golwilkar, 24, doesn't need to be prodded twice to start jabbering about the forum.

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