His first break into the prestigious Indian National Rally Championship was in the same year when he was the co-driver for a private entry from Hyderabad.
[8] In 2009, Pai won the National Co-Driver Championship once again in the 1400cc category with Vikram Devadasen winning by a comfortable margin.
By then Pai shifted base from Hyderabad to Bengaluru and won the popular K1000, a round of the INRC in 1400cc class.
Pai partnered with Sirish Chandran from Pune, then editor of India's leading auto magazine, Overdrive.
From 2010, the pair participated in a series of rallies, and got a first win for Volkswagen Polo in March 2013 at Chennai in the 1600cc class.
Currently, he is the touring sound engineer for Agam, the Fusion Rock Act from Bengaluru, Sid Sriram, Indian Popular Music Act from Chennai/California, Andrea Jeremiah, Indian Actress and singer and Shillong Chamber Choir, a Bollywood Choir Group.
The co-driver who made his debut in 1992 won his maiden title in 2002 and is the current reigning National champion with driver Karna Kadur.