The BBC TopGear Magazine India CEO Track Day, powered by Škoda Auto India, kicked off on June 19th at the Raymond Race Track, Thane. Against the backdrop of monsoon showers, the event embodied the unpredictable spirit of BBC TopGear Magazine India. Yes—it rained, and yes—it was absolutely thrilling. Because at BBC TopGear Magazine India, what’s a race without a little drama?
The star of the day? The Škoda Kodiaq. With a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine delivering 201 bhp and 320 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission and AWD drive, it proved to be the perfect beast for the job. Given that most CEOs drive daily SUVs, the Kodiaq felt like home on the track to most of them.
Some of the top minds in business geared up for this high-octane day (names in alphabetical order)
Akash Agarwal – MD, SRL Laboratories
Alok Dhar – Head, OEM Sales & Marketing, Asahi
Alok Dubey – CFO, Acer
Chen Huazhu – ED & CEO, Yapp
Rahul Kothari – COO, Razorpay
Sajan Puravangara – CEO, Turtle Wax
Santosh Vishwanathan – MD, Intel
Vinay Sreedhar – Sr. DGM OE Sales, Bridgestone
Vishal Gondal – Founder, GOQii
Vivek Wadhwera – MD, Orix
Each participant drove three laps, with the final lap taken at full speed with a timer. From tight corners and slaloms to the added twist of monsoon downpour, the track demanded complete focus. And yet, every completed their flying lap in under 55 seconds, a testament to their skill and the Kodiaq’s capabilities.
Top Performers:
P1 - Vishal Gondal
P2 - Vivek Wadhwera
P3 - Sajan Puravangara
The adventure didn’t end on the track. The CEOs took on an off-road course featuring:
Positive and negative side inclines
Small articulation
Chassis twisters
Rumblers
With wheels occasionally lifting off the ground and rain slicking the surface, this unexpected twist gave the leaders a new kind of adrenaline rush, at crawling speeds. For many, this was their first-ever off-road experience, and it was anything but ordinary. Thanks to the Škoda Kodiaq’s grip, handling, and the BBC TopGear Magazine India safety crew, everyone enjoyed the challenge without compromising safety.
The CEO Track Day 2025 was more than a racing event—it was a celebration of leadership, camaraderie, and shared passion for performance. Industry frontrunners didn’t just connect, they competed, learned, and most importantly, had fun. From slick track battles to slow-crawl thrills, the event was a huge success, proving once again that true leaders don’t just drive change, they race it!
