WIAA Women's Car Rally flags off from Mumbai with over 200 women participants
Mumbai, March 28
WIAA Women's Car Rally to Valley 2026 was flagged off on Saturday, from NSCI, Mumbai, in a ceremony that blended the energy of a carnival with the conviction of a movement.
The rally was flagged off by Nitin Dossa, Chairman, Western India Automobile Association (WIAA), along with JK Tyre officials, with the atmosphere at NSCI alive well before engines fired, according to a release.
Over 200 women participants were part of the rally, with vehicles decorated around themes such as women's empowerment, cancer awareness, gender equality, and many more, before setting off on the route towards the Novotel Imagicaa hotel in Khopoli. Participants arrived in themed attire, vehicles adorned to match their chosen causes, and families and supporters lining the start, giving the occasion the feel of a festival. The rally follows the Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) format, where precision, consistency and teamwork take precedence over speed. Unlike conventional races, the TSD format rewards accuracy and strategic pacing as contestants navigate out of Mumbai onto the hilly roads, covering approximately 125 km before reaching the Novotel Imagicaa hotel, making it as much a test of strategy and precision as of driving skill. Organised by the Western India Automobile Association (WIAA), a 107-year-old non-profit organisation committed to safe mobility, road safety awareness, environmental sustainability and policy advocacy, the rally has evolved beyond a competitive motorsport event into a vibrant platform celebrating womanhood and resilience, while amplifying the urgent need for women's safety on roads.
This year's edition carried forward those values with renewed force, echoing the global road safety campaigns of #CommitToLife and #BeSafeBeStrong.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great to see such events gaining momentum in India. The TSD format focusing on precision over speed is a brilliant way to promote safe driving habits. Hope this encourages more women to take up motorsports.
While I appreciate the cause, I wish there was more focus on making such events accessible beyond major cities like Mumbai. Women's safety on roads is a pan-India issue. Maybe next edition can have a start from a tier-2 city?
Blending a carnival with a movement – that's the spirit! The decorated cars and themed attire must have been a visual treat. Events like these change the narrative around women and driving. Kudos to WIAA for 107 years of service.
This is wonderful! The emphasis on strategy and teamwork in the TSD format is a great metaphor for the collaborative effort needed for gender equality. #BeSafeBeStrong is a powerful message for everyone on the road.
Heartening to read this. My sister participated and said the energy was electric. It's more than a rally; it's a statement. When will the results be declared? All the best to all the teams!
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