Indian rally champion Dean Mascarenhas and co-driver Gagan Karumbaiah completed their first FIA World Rally Championship, securing 7th place in the WRC3 class at Rally Islas Canarias 2026. Driving a Ford Fiesta Rally3 by PH Sport, they gained valuable experience on European tarmac stages after winning the Indian National Rally Championship in 2025. Despite facing challenges like brake issues, they finished 48th overall and 7th in their class.
The rally, held in Gran Canaria, included 18 special stages that tested the duo’s skills on unfamiliar WRC3 terrain. Overcoming initial brake problems, Mascarenhas and Karumbaiah adapted well, steadily improving their performance throughout the event. They completed the rally in 03h 41m 50.6sec, covering over 301.3 competitive kilometers, including a 10-minute penalty.
For Mascarenhas and Karumbaiah, the rally was a significant learning opportunity in car setup, stage management, and pace-note execution. Despite their lack of experience at this level, they showcased composure and teamwork, with support from PH Sport proving crucial. Mascarenhas emphasized the value of the experience, highlighting the steep learning curve and the lessons gained from each stage.
“Rally Islas Canarias marked the beginning of Dean and Gagan’s journey as they gear up for the season ahead. This challenging debut provided them with essential experience and a solid foundation for future WRC3 events,” stated Mohan Nagarajan, Chairman and Managing Director of Sidvin Energy Engineering.
