Driving is an ability that does not go away with age. A Kochi-based, 62-year old motoring enthusiast is out on a run showing there is no age limit to push the extra mile. Having said that, Thomas Chacko sets out on a 25,000 km, 80-day journey, driving in the 2012 Tata Nano.
Driving across the country’s state capital’s and union territories, Chacko will reach go down south till Kanyakumari, while touching Dwarka in the west, Kargil in the north and Kibithoo in east. The expedition will also see Chacko drive through the highest motorable road in the world, Khardung La, and the geographical centre of India, Nagpur. Speaking about the enduring journey, Chacko says, “I have chosen the Tata Nano for this journey because it is a car that has put India on the world motoring map. Despite being the lightest car, and having the smallest engine currently in production worldwide, the Nano can take on every kind of road, especially with its clearance of 180 mm. I have driven a Tata Nano for almost 900 kms across cities and towns and also to Munnar, which is 5,000 feet above sea level. I am now convinced that the Tata Nano will go wherever I take it on my trip.”
Tata introduced the more powerful, 624 cc gasoline engine powered Nano back in November 2011. The 38 PS power, 51Nm torque motor gives stunning fuel-efficiency of 25.4 kmpl as rated by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). Though the Nano may not be the best on-off road vehicle in market, Chacko is confident about the expedition that is expected to conclude around July 20, 2012.
The 62-year-old, Chacko is a FCS from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, who has several motorsport events on his resume. A Formula One fanatic, the man has been to the Sepang, Singapore, and Monaco Grand Prix previously. Traveling the world, he has driven cars on different roads, including Canada, Malaysia, Oman, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the UK & the USA. Chacko also has several articles published on motorsports.
