Bangalore, Aug 20 - There is a perceptible sense of excitement on the eve of the Karnataka-1000, the second round of the Speed-Indian National Rally Championship to be held here over the weekend.

The expectations are much to do with the kind of Special Stages that the organisers, the Karnataka Motor Sports Club, have laid out for the 63 participants who include the 'big boys' of the sport, Team MRF and Red Rooster Racing in their swanky, modified and powerful Mitsubishi Lancer Cedia cars.

The terrain for the three physical Special Stages is basically red sand/clay and gravel while the route is the same as in the previous two years. However, the organisers have straightened a few turns thus enabling the cars to go quicker while providing spectacle and lots of 'action'.

No wonder then that the likes of National champion Vikram Mathias (Red Rooster Racing) and his arch-rival Gaurav Gill (MRF) can't wait for the Rally to commence Friday morning. Following Thursday's recce run, both predicted faster times.

Veteran co-driver Musa Sherif, who will be partnering MRF's Arjun Balu in a Cedia, said: 'I expect the average speed to be close to 120 kmph. Some of the sections are very fast and flowing. Yes, lots of excitement for sure.'

For the enthusiasts, there is more excitement in store Sunday, the concluding day. Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a self-confessed motor sport freak, and a brand ambassador for Speed-Bharat Petroleum, is scheduled to flag-off the Spectator Special Stage (triple-S).