TSI Racing Concludes South American Rally with Strong Performance

TSI Racing's Dean Mascarenhas and co-driver Gagan Karumbaiah concluded their South American World Rally Championship campaign on a high note, achieving a top-8 finish and a stage win in the WRC3 class. Their journey included challenging rallies in Paraguay and Chile, providing them with invaluable international experience. With a focus on improving their skills, the team is committed to elevating Indian motorsport on the global stage. Discover more about their experiences and future plans in this detailed report.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 15, 2026, 13:06 IST

Successful Conclusion to South American Rally

TSI Racing's Dean Mascarenhas and co-driver Gagan Karumbaiah wrapped up their South American World Rally Championship (WRC) journey on a high note, achieving a top-8 finish and securing a stage victory in the WRC3 category. They completed consecutive rallies in Paraguay and Chile, driving a Ford Fiesta Rally3 prepared by PH Sport. The duo, who are the reigning Indian National Rally Champions, finished eighth in the WRC3 class at the challenging Rally Chile Biobío, known for its intricate gravel stages and winding forest paths.

Recent Rally Challenges

Just two weeks prior, the Mangaluru-Kodagu team was in the running for a WRC3 podium at Rally del Paraguay. Unfortunately, an accident led to a DNF with only one stage left. However, they did manage to clinch a stage win during the demanding Paraguay Rally.

Gaining International Experience

The events in Paraguay and Chile were strategically planned to provide the Indian duo with crucial international experience in some of the most challenging conditions on the WRC circuit. Their campaign kicked off with Rally Islas Canarias in April, where they secured a seventh-place finish in their class, followed by a 12th place in Rally3 at the FIA European Rally Championship's Rally di Roma Capitale in July.

Insights from the Team

Mohan Nagarajan, Managing Director of Sidvin Energy Engineering, which supports TSI Racing, expressed that the international campaign has been instrumental in providing valuable experience for both the crew and the team. He stated, "The three WRC rounds have equipped Dean, Gagan, and the entire team with extensive experience. It has been a significant learning journey, and we have observed their improvement with each rally. Chile posed particular challenges, and they performed admirably on some of the most technical stages we've faced. We are taking many positives from these last two rounds and will leverage this experience for our future plans."

Reflections from the Driver

"The knowledge we gained from this rally is immense. It ranks among the toughest rallies I've ever participated in, and finishing it brings me great satisfaction. The team excelled in preparing a competitive car, and Gagan's notes were spot on throughout. These three WRC rallies have significantly boosted our confidence and taught us a lot. I extend my gratitude to my team TSI Racing and PH Sport for this invaluable experience," Dean remarked.

TSI Racing's Dedication to Indian Motorsport

Established in 2007 and supported by Sidvin Energy Engineering, TSI Racing was the first Indian team to participate in the WRC in 2008. The team has since created an international platform for Indian drivers, including notable names like Gaurav Gill and Naren Kumar. Nearly two decades later, TSI Racing's commitment to elevating Indian rallying on the global stage continues with Mascarenhas and Karumbaiah.