“I met with a road accident in 1975 while riding my bike in Mumbai and then spent ten months recuperating in the hospital. From a motorsports participant, I became an organiser, first in association with the IARC and then individually with Sportscraft,” the 57-year-old veteran said.

Karani, who is all geared up to organise his 289th event, the Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally in the backwoods of Navi Mumbai on June 28, has organised all sorts of motorsport events, ranging from go-karting and dirt track racing for cars to races for autorickshaws and tractors - in various cities and even in rural areas. “My main aim always has been to take motorsports to the masses. I have tried to concentrate on grassroot level events to build up enthusiasm,” says Karani, whose name figured in the 2007 Limca Book of Records after he completed organizing 250 events from 1984 to 2006. Karani’s first event as an organiser was the Vintage Car Rally conducted in the hill station of Lonavala in January, 1984 in partnership with the Indian Automative Racing Club.

He went solo in May, 1988 by organising Autocross for cars in Navi Mumbai under the banner of Sportscraft which organises promotional events, mainly motorsports. There are quite a few feathers in the organising cap of the bespectacled Karani including having controlled the entire Garwal region route for the well-known Himalayan Rally. “I have many fond memories of the Himalayan Rally which was a unique event. Among the other abiding memories is the organisation of the Chalo ASEAN in 2004 as a prelude to the ASEAN Rally for the MEA and CII. “I also enjoyed immensely in organising Andelal - the athletic road running event for schools of Mumbai - watching with pleasure four and five-year old children run,” Karani said.

Asked about the change motor sports has undergone over the years, he said that enthusiasm has gone up considerably in the country with a lot of exposure on TV too.

“The sport is advancing. But the masses have to be involved. I understand the popularity for glamourous events like Formula 1, but at the same time all efforts should be done to take this sport to the masses by holding events like Endurances and Autocrosses,” Karani said.

He also wants the government to understand the need for a single window clearance for conducting motor sports events. “We face difficulties like what the IPL faced last time. I did not like it when the IPL was shifted abroad but could feel what (its chairman) Lalit Modi went through. We also face problems with the excessive red-tapism from the authorities. We get clearance just two days before events which needs to change,” he said.

The veteran motorsports organiser also wants the government to allow discarded mines in the country to be converted into motor sports venues, which if done, will also bring in revenue to it. “There are many discarded mines which can be developed into motor sports arenas. This will also generate money for the government,” Karani said.

Karani said that but for the economic downturn he would be closer to 300 by now. “Four or five events got cancelled from January to June this year, otherwise we would be closer to 300 by now,” he said. Is he quitting after 300? “No, what else will I do,” he asked.