Story: Nikhil Raghavan
New formats, juggled categories, fresh events…all carefully planned to draw in more participants and hopefully, better crowds. Also, one supposes, to gain better visibility for the sponsors – not just for the main event itself, but also for the numerous corporate logos on the cars and racing suits of drivers and riders.
Consequently, events like endurance and superbike races were held over a packed weekend at the Madras Motor Race Track at Irungattukottai, near Chennai as part of the J K Tyre National Racing Championship 2008.
On Saturday, February 9, the opening event – Endurance Race for LGB Formula Hyundai single seater cars was marred by non-seasonal showers which reduced the stipulated 90 minute run to 65 minutes. But, the rains helped in the event becoming a spectacular display of racing skills and speed in wet conditions.
The change of drivers was effected every fifteen minutes. And in full cry were the two young sensations, Ashwin Sunder and Saran Vikram of Rams Racing, as they raced away to a comfortable win by completing 29 laps with a timing of 66:46:09. In 2nd place was the duo of Narain Shankar and Karthik Shankar also from Team Rams Racing who completed 29 laps in a timing of 68:18:391. The brothers, Sudanand Rajan and Prithveen Rajan from Team WSRF with Leela took the third place completing 27 laps in a timing of 67:06:766.
On Sunday, February 10, the trio of Chennai youngsters Ashwin Sundar, Saran Vikram and Dilip Rogger delighted the weekend crowd with their spectacular performances resulting in double wins for all of them in their respective categories. Ashwin and Saran won one each in both Formula Swift and Formula Rolon classes while Dilip Rogger won both the races in the Super Bikes 600cc class.
After a wet and disruptive first day of racing, the weather gods were kind enough to light up the track with the sun blazing down brightly. The scenario at the Madras Motor Racing Track was reminiscent of yesteryear racing days in Sholavaram. The racing enthusiasts turned up in good numbers to witness one of the best ever race days in recent history. From the saloon cars to the Super Bikes to the Formula racing cars, it was a blend of exhilarating speed and excellent driving skills with the cream of Indian racers - national and international - exhibiting their talents.
Formula LGB Swift
Pole leader and last year’s champion Ashwin Sundar of Team TVS Girling Racing continued from where he had left off last year. Race 1 saw Ashwin getting off to a very good start and zooming ahead to register a comfortable lead and held on to the same to register his first win of the season. Finishing a close second was teammate and Delhi lad Karthik Shankar. Finishing in third place after starting in 5th place was another Chennai youngster Saran Vikram of Team WSRF with Leela who put in a great effort. With the grid reversed for Race 2, it was the racer from Team WSRF with Leela, Saran Vikram’s turn to display his racing abilities. Starting in 5th place Saran moved up the grid to grab the lead and win in style. Karthik Shankar came up with an impressive performance to finish in 2nd place once again. Saran’s teammate Sudanand Rajan finished third.
Formula Rolon Chevrolet
Ashwin Sundar’s roller coaster ride continued as the youngster from Team Rams Racing notched up his second successive win of the day by taking the chequered flag in Race 1. Starting on pole, Ashwin was in full command right from the start and gave no opportunity to his nearest rivals. Finishing in second and third places were Mumbai lad Saahil Shelar of team Speed NK Racing and Chennai racer M. Gaurav of Team Red Rooster Racing. Race 2 saw Saran Vikram of Team Speed NK Racing start from pole on a reversed grid. And Saran made the best of the opportunity given to launch himself into a very comfortable lead and had no problems in notching up his second win of the day. M. Gaurav improved on his first race standings to finish in second place, while winner of Race 1, Ashwin Sunder finished in 3rd place after starting 6th on grid.
Super Bikes
Stealing the thunder this weekend was ace bike racer and India’s first Asian GP participant 23 year old Dilip Rogger of Chennai. He displayed his championship qualities with some aggressive racing in the 600 cc Super Bikes category. Riding a Yamaha R 6 bike, Dilip proved his superiority in no uncertain terms as he blazed away to commanding victories in both races. In Race 1, starting on pole, Dilip built up a huge lead to record a significant victory. His nearest competitor - national champion of champions 2007 and international racer Preetham Dev Moses - finished 12.625 seconds behind. And a long way behind in third place was Praveen Keerthi.
It was yet another dominating performance from Dilip in the expert class of Race 2 as he continued his demolition drive to wrap up another outstanding victory. Finishing in second place was once again Preetham Dev Moses, while K. Rajini came in third.
In the 1000 cc category it was national champion K. Rajini creating waves as he coasted to a very comfortable win on his Yamaha in Race 1 with a margin of almost 15 seconds. Vikram and Deepak finished in second and third places respectively. Race 2 saw a great effort from Deepak which enabled him to take the chequered flag. Mazdar Ahmed finished second.
New formats, juggled categories, fresh events…all carefully planned to draw in more participants and hopefully, better crowds. Also, one supposes, to gain better visibility for the sponsors – not just for the main event itself, but also for the numerous corporate logos on the cars and racing suits of drivers and riders.
Consequently, events like endurance and superbike races were held over a packed weekend at the Madras Motor Race Track at Irungattukottai, near Chennai as part of the J K Tyre National Racing Championship 2008.
On Saturday, February 9, the opening event – Endurance Race for LGB Formula Hyundai single seater cars was marred by non-seasonal showers which reduced the stipulated 90 minute run to 65 minutes. But, the rains helped in the event becoming a spectacular display of racing skills and speed in wet conditions.
The change of drivers was effected every fifteen minutes. And in full cry were the two young sensations, Ashwin Sunder and Saran Vikram of Rams Racing, as they raced away to a comfortable win by completing 29 laps with a timing of 66:46:09. In 2nd place was the duo of Narain Shankar and Karthik Shankar also from Team Rams Racing who completed 29 laps in a timing of 68:18:391. The brothers, Sudanand Rajan and Prithveen Rajan from Team WSRF with Leela took the third place completing 27 laps in a timing of 67:06:766.
On Sunday, February 10, the trio of Chennai youngsters Ashwin Sundar, Saran Vikram and Dilip Rogger delighted the weekend crowd with their spectacular performances resulting in double wins for all of them in their respective categories. Ashwin and Saran won one each in both Formula Swift and Formula Rolon classes while Dilip Rogger won both the races in the Super Bikes 600cc class.
After a wet and disruptive first day of racing, the weather gods were kind enough to light up the track with the sun blazing down brightly. The scenario at the Madras Motor Racing Track was reminiscent of yesteryear racing days in Sholavaram. The racing enthusiasts turned up in good numbers to witness one of the best ever race days in recent history. From the saloon cars to the Super Bikes to the Formula racing cars, it was a blend of exhilarating speed and excellent driving skills with the cream of Indian racers - national and international - exhibiting their talents.
Formula LGB Swift
Pole leader and last year’s champion Ashwin Sundar of Team TVS Girling Racing continued from where he had left off last year. Race 1 saw Ashwin getting off to a very good start and zooming ahead to register a comfortable lead and held on to the same to register his first win of the season. Finishing a close second was teammate and Delhi lad Karthik Shankar. Finishing in third place after starting in 5th place was another Chennai youngster Saran Vikram of Team WSRF with Leela who put in a great effort. With the grid reversed for Race 2, it was the racer from Team WSRF with Leela, Saran Vikram’s turn to display his racing abilities. Starting in 5th place Saran moved up the grid to grab the lead and win in style. Karthik Shankar came up with an impressive performance to finish in 2nd place once again. Saran’s teammate Sudanand Rajan finished third.
Formula Rolon Chevrolet
Ashwin Sundar’s roller coaster ride continued as the youngster from Team Rams Racing notched up his second successive win of the day by taking the chequered flag in Race 1. Starting on pole, Ashwin was in full command right from the start and gave no opportunity to his nearest rivals. Finishing in second and third places were Mumbai lad Saahil Shelar of team Speed NK Racing and Chennai racer M. Gaurav of Team Red Rooster Racing. Race 2 saw Saran Vikram of Team Speed NK Racing start from pole on a reversed grid. And Saran made the best of the opportunity given to launch himself into a very comfortable lead and had no problems in notching up his second win of the day. M. Gaurav improved on his first race standings to finish in second place, while winner of Race 1, Ashwin Sunder finished in 3rd place after starting 6th on grid.
Super Bikes
Stealing the thunder this weekend was ace bike racer and India’s first Asian GP participant 23 year old Dilip Rogger of Chennai. He displayed his championship qualities with some aggressive racing in the 600 cc Super Bikes category. Riding a Yamaha R 6 bike, Dilip proved his superiority in no uncertain terms as he blazed away to commanding victories in both races. In Race 1, starting on pole, Dilip built up a huge lead to record a significant victory. His nearest competitor - national champion of champions 2007 and international racer Preetham Dev Moses - finished 12.625 seconds behind. And a long way behind in third place was Praveen Keerthi.
It was yet another dominating performance from Dilip in the expert class of Race 2 as he continued his demolition drive to wrap up another outstanding victory. Finishing in second place was once again Preetham Dev Moses, while K. Rajini came in third.
In the 1000 cc category it was national champion K. Rajini creating waves as he coasted to a very comfortable win on his Yamaha in Race 1 with a margin of almost 15 seconds. Vikram and Deepak finished in second and third places respectively. Race 2 saw a great effort from Deepak which enabled him to take the chequered flag. Mazdar Ahmed finished second.
No comments:
Post a Comment