Hari Singh, one of India’s most celebrated rally drivers and a towering figure in the country’s motorsport circuit, has died at the age of 59 following a speedboat accident in the Maldives. Reported by First Post.
According to reports, the accident took place on Friday when a speedboat carrying seven people capsized near Felidhoo island in Vaavu Atoll. The news of his passing was later confirmed, marking a tragic loss for Indian motorsport.
Authorities in the Maldives have informed Singh’s family that his body is believed to be trapped in a coral reef in the ocean. Industrialist Gautam Singhania was also among those on board the speedboat but was rescued and later brought back to Mumbai.
Singh’s son, Mivaan, is reportedly on his way back to India, while close friends of the family remain in touch with local authorities handling the situation.
Who was Hari Singh?
A legendary name in Indian motorsport, Hari Singh was widely regarded as one of the country’s finest rally drivers. He won the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) title five times and dominated the rally scene throughout the 1990s.
He also made history by winning the inaugural Asia Zone Rally Championship and represented India in several international rally events.
Born in Chandigarh, Singh honed his driving skills on the challenging terrains of neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. Known for his fearless driving and technical precision, he earned nicknames such as “Flying Sikh” and “Gypsy King” for his exceptional performances on the track.
Singh was particularly renowned for his mastery of the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, a vehicle considered difficult to control at high speeds, yet one he handled with remarkable skill.
After retiring from competitive racing, he continued to contribute to the sport as the Head of Operations at JK Tyre Motorsport. He also served as Chief Instructor for Mercedes-Benz India, where he played a key role in mentoring and training young drivers.
In recognition of his immense contribution to motorsports, Singh was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Force Gurkha RFC India in 2015.
Former Indian racing driver Karun Chandhok paid tribute to Singh on X, saying that the world had become poorer with the loss of the veteran driver.
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