Former national champion N Leelakrishnan and navigator Farooq Ahmed won the event from team-mates Arjun Balu/K R Kumar, who were followed by two other MRF entries of Sagar Muthappa/Sandeep Rao and Jagat/Anita Nanjappa in the overall classifications.

The 1-2-3-4 MRF sweep was unprecedented and reflected the new-found pep in the team with Leelakrishnan being the inspiring force.

Coming in behind the MRF cars was JK Tyre's Manik Raikhy and Vivekanandan, over three minutes behind the winner. Considering that Manik rolled early in the event on Thursday, his was a creditable achievement.

While the Reds were cock-a-hoop, there was understandable gloom in the JK camp as their main hope, Hari Singh and navigator Gurinder Singh Mann packed up in the latterpart of the event due to suspension problems. Even otherwise, Hari had lost six minutes early on when he went off the track.

Zubin triumphs

Among two-wheelers, Zubin K Patel emerged triumphant, sparing two minutes to K Prasad while R Srinivas finished third overall, while Paritosh Kohak, riding a Group D (un-modified) bike was fourth but first in his category.