Known for his interest in racing, Gondal will be competing in a 1959 Jaguar XK-150 while Indian Express CMD Goenka will be driving a Bentley 3 1/2 litre of 1935 vintage.

A regular at such events, Nishant N Dossa is also in the fray in his Mercedes 190SL.

The trio will be challenging an international field in the gruelling 7,000 km. run that has been billed as the last great motoring event of the 20th century. Their rivals hail from the United Kingdom, Australia and other countries.

Designed for pre-1972 cars, the Jewel of India will provide a rich variety to the participants as they set off from Mumbai, go north-west through Gujarat, past the Aravalli Range, through the great deserts of Rajasthan and right up to the foothills of the Himalayas.

Then, turning due south, they sweepacross the dusty plains of northern India, the jungles made famous by Rudyard Kipling, the Deccan plateau, up the hill stations in the south and along the banks of the Cauvery before terminating in Chennai.

During the 25-day event between January 24 and February 17 the participants will be able to savour the sights, sounds and gourmet delicacies the country has to offer and relax in luxury hotels as they will not be required to cover more than 300 to 400 km. per day.

Already there are 11 confirmed entries, the oldest being a 1928 Bentley from the UK. Ten more are expected, five of them from India, before the last date, January 7, 1999.

Details can be had from Nitin Dossa, Vintage & Classic Car Club of India, 4th floor, Nanabhoy Mansion, P M Road, Mumbai 400 001 (phone 266 4246, 2664773, fax 266 3375).

There is also a website, carnet.co.uk/ jewel-of-india.