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.

... contd.