CONTENDERS

2017 HAS BEEN A HECTIC year. With car and bikes being launched every month, sometimes multiple launches in a week, by the time we got down to awards season, the list was long. Thankfully, it wasn't dreary.

For the 10th edition of the Times Auto Awards that we at evo India partnered, the jury had their work cut out. On any given day, sifting through a bunch of good cars to find out which is the best in its class isn't easy. But when the list is as varied as it is this year, it's a job meant for the specialists.

To ensure that we didn't falter in our method, the jury at the Times Auto Awards comprised of people from different walks of life. From veteran motoring journalist and editor-at-large for evo India Adil Jal Darukhanawala to reigning president of FIA APRC Working Group and former FMSCI president Vicky Chandhok, to rally enthusiasts Harish Samtani and our very own Byram Godrej to Sudhir Sharma, one of India's leading designers, Akshai Varde, the man behind Vardenchi Choppers, two-time JK NRC champion and MRF 1600 champion Anindith Reddy and of course team evo India comprising editorial director Sirish Chandran and assistant editor Aninda Sardar, the jury had it covered.

Over the course of two beautiful days at the Madras Motor Race Track (MMRT), this jury put each contender through rigorous evaluation. Their verdict will be announced at a glittering gala in Greater Noida on February 7, on the first day of the Auto Expo 2018. Stay tuned to find out which contender made the cut. And which one didn't. ⌧

The Jury from left to right: Byram Godrej, Sudhir Sharma, Harish Samtani, Anindith Reddy, Vicky Chandhok, Adil Jal Darukhanawala, Aninda Sardar, Akshai Varde and Sirish Chandran