mangalore today

Mangaluru: Motor Sports Aficionado ‘Bamson’ Eshaque No More


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 25, 2018 :Avid motor sports enthusiast of the city Eshaque Mohammed passed away on Wednesday (October 24), aged 66, at his residence ‘Bamson House’ on S. L. Mathias Road of Falnir. He had suffered a stroke two months back and had been ill since then. He breathed his last at about 3.00 p.m.

 

 

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He is survived by wife Aysha and a daughter Ashmitha. His mortal remains were buried as per Islamic tradition at Jumma Masjid, Bunder on the same day.


Better known by his tradename ‘Bamson’, Eshaque Mohammed was a keen automobile enthusiast and had played a pioneering role in the nurturing automotive sports in the city. Eshaque Mohammed was the proprietor of Mangalore Tourist Services (MTS) a car rental service established by his father B. Mohammed Hajee in the 1960s. Cars rented by this firm bore the brand name ‘Bamson’ and that’s also the name by which Eshaque became famous.

Eshaque Mohammed was the doyen of motor rallying in Coastal Karnataka, being one of the four founder members of Karavali Automotive Sports Club. The club had organized the first ever car rally in Mangalore in 1986 which had gained live all India TV coverage.

A man who had a great feel for the motor, bumper to bumper, he was said to have been a rally driver of unmatched skill and great accomplishments. Having participated in over 75 rallies Eshaque was named as the Champion TSD driver in the year 2003 in which he along with Lancelot Saldanha as Navigator won First spot in 7 of the 10 designated events and finished 2nd in the rest.
 
Apart from being a rallyist himself he encouraged and mentored several youngsters as rallyists of national reckoning and his office was a virtual breeding ground for all motorsports enthusiasts of the city, recalls an automotive sports fan who knew Eshaque well.

It is interesting that on the business side also Eshaque happened to be closely attached to automobiles. His car rental service was an early pioneer and a very successful firm in the field. They are said to be the only tourist services company in undivided Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district to have been recognized by both ITDC and KSTDC. Even in those days, they were allowed to purchase a Benz and a Ford vehicle, which was a favourite for weddings and VIP transport.

The demise of Eshaque Mohammed will be a huge loss for automotive sports aspirants of the region.