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Author: INDIAinF1 Desk
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Buhler delivers Stage podium for Hero MotoSports: Dakar 2023
Al Ula (Saudi Arabia), 2 Jan 2023: Hero MotoSports Team Rally, delivered a strong finish in Stage 2 at the world’s most-gruelling rally, the Dakar 2023, with Sebastian Buhler crossing the finish line with the 2nd fastest time, bagging the first-ever stage podium of his Dakar career here on Monday.
Following closely behind was Ross Branch in the 4th position. Franco Caimi finished the stage in the 14th place, and Joaquim Rodrigues in the 20th place, in the Rally GP class standings.
The only rider from India, Harith Noah finished 34th today.
The German Sebastian Buhler, who missed the 2022 Dakar Rally due to injury, winning the Dakar became a dream when he was a teenager. In just his fourth attempt at the mighty Dakar, the 29-year-old has today moved several steps closer to achieving his lifelong dream. Buhler’s impressive performance pushes him into the overall top-10, at the 10th place.
The second stage of the world’s toughest rally was a long and dangerous one through mostly rocky sections. The rough terrain posed severe threats to both men and their machines, yet the Hero MotoSports team riders made an impressive attempt right from the start of the stage, putting up a fight for the top positions.
Ross Branch found the day to be one of the longest ones he has ever experienced at the Dakar. Still recovering from his crashes in Stage 1, the Botswanan made every effort to ride steadily, avoiding mistakes. His top-5 finish today places him at the 12th place in the overall rankings table.
The day was rough for the Argentine Franco Caimi as well. However, his consistent performance early on in the race finds him a place in the overall Rally GP class table at the 16th position.
Joaquim Rodrigues had an exceptionally difficult Stage 2, having had to run almost 250 kms with limited fuel owing to a broken tank, and a broken clutch lever as well. He lost some valuable time, however, strong willed, JRod brought his Hero 450 Rally to the finish line, and maintains a 17th place in the overall Rally GP class standings.
Next up is a 669 kilometer ride from Al-‘Ula to Ha’il, which the race organization describes as “perhaps holding the most beautiful fifty kilometers in the rally”. The long succession of beautiful canyons will also create one of the most trying stages for the riders, and has great potential to shake up the rider standings.
Sebastian Buhler
Sebastian Buhler said: “Today turned out to be a rewarding one. Yet it wasn’t really a fun day, as we were riding the entire day through rocks. I was able to find a good rhythm from the beginning, and that helped me push through. Before the second refueling I made a slight mistake that made me go back 2kms to validate a waypoint, and I lost some time there. Other than that, I’m very happy with my performance and the 2nd position I’ve earned.”
Ross Branch
Ross Branch said: “It was a long rocky section today, probably one of the longest such stages I’ve ever done at the Dakar. But the day was good for me. I wasn’t sure where we were lined the whole day, so the aim was to avoid any mistakes, navigation errors, and most of all, any crashes. I’m happy we’re in a good position for Stage 2, which is also going to be a long one, and I’m hoping for the best.”
Franco Caimi
“It was a beautiful but really hard and long stage today. I spent over 5 hours on the bike, and it has been very demanding physically. But I felt better on the bike than yesterday, and I’m happy that we’re moving forward each day, improving in every stage. There’s still a long way to go, and I’m hopeful for the best,” said Caimi after the stage.
Joaquim Rodrigues
Joaquim Rodrigues was pleased to finish the stage. He said: “Today didn’t go exactly how I thought it would. I started really strong with a good rhythm, and was in the top 3 early-on in the stage. But it was kind of an extreme enduro stage, with plenty of rocks all over the place. In one of those trails going up, a rock hit my fuel tank and broke it. I started losing fuel, and while trying to get back on the race, I found that I’ve broken my clutch too. I pretty much had to ride ~250 kms saving up fuel with just the rear tank left, and without a clutch lever! It was quite a tough test, but I’m fortunate to have brought my Hero to the finish. Hoping for better days ahead.”
Provisional Rankings – Stage 2 (Rally GP Class)
1. Mason Klein BAS World KTM Racing Team 05h 23m 04s
2. Sebastian Buhler Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 1m 09s
3. Skyler Howes Husqvarna Factory Racing + 1m 13s
4. Ross Branch Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 1m 58s
14. Franco Caimi Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 5m 06s
20. Joaquim Rodrigues Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 17m 44s
Provisional Overall Rankings – at the end of Stage 2 (Rally GP Class)
1. Mason Klein BAS World KTM Racing Team 09h 38m 28s
2. Toby Price Red Bull KTM Factory Racing + 1m 41s
3. Joan Barreda Bort Monster Energy JB Team + 2m 03s
10. Sebastian Buhler Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 8m 34s
12. Ross Branch Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 9m 11s
16. Franco Caimi Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 17m 08s
17. Joaquim Rodrigues Hero MotoSports Team Rally + 29m 40s
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Brilliant 24th by Harith Noah in Stage 1: Dakar 2023
Yanbu (Saudi Arabia), 1 Jan 2023: TVS Racing team’s Harith Noah, the only Indian at Dakar 2023, began the gruelling Dakar with a brilliant 24th position in the first stage here on Sunday. The Sherco TVS Factory team rider clocked 4 hours, 39 min and 08 seconds astride a Sherco 450 in the Rally GP class. He was 24min, 58 sec behind the Stage winner Ricky Brabec of USA after his training partner Mason Klein (USA), who was leading much of the time, was penalised.
The 29-year TVS talent finished in 24th position. A good result for the only rider from India, a five-time National champion. Starting 3rd this morning, with no tracks to guide him, he had excellent navigation and was able to make wise choices while remaining consistent throughout the stage.
The first real day of racing for this 2023 Dakar occurred on the day after the prologue. A 603 km stage around Sea Camp included 368 km of special that alternated between rocky technical sections, sandy tracks, and dunes. This was the first of the 14 stages of the event that is being held for the fourth consecutive year in Saudi Arabia. Many riders received penalties for speeding in the open connecting sections.
The contrast between the prologue on the beach and the first stage could not be starker. Today’s special followed the outline of the coast from 30 km inland on its way to Yanbu and beyond. The entire field was on high alert in the first part of the 368 km course, featuring the scattered rocky sections where defending champion Sam Sunderland crashed out of the race. From there on, the faster stretches between valleys and sandy tracks enabled Carlos Sainz and Daniel Sanders to let their raw speed do the talking. As a reward for their efforts, the drivers, riders and crews are taking the coastal route back to the Sea Camp for more than 200 km.
Testing competitors right from the off, the 368-kilometer timed special comprised a challenging mix of terrain, made up predominantly of gravels tracks, but with some sand and dunes thrown in to give riders a true taste of conditions at this 2023 event.
The Redbull rider, Noah, is sponsored by TVS, Sherco, Scott India and Camelbak India.
After the first stage Harith Noah said: “I started 3rd, it was the first time I started so upfront with just two lines in front. I am happy to have finished and not get lost a lot. Respect to all the riders opening the stages. Not easy.
“I am going to change the suspension setup a little for tomorrow on the bike. Will be a long day with 430km SS,” he added.
Yesterday, the 29-year from Shoranur said: “The Dakar 2023 officially started, I was full of focus and will do my best for another season. It was a 13-Km prologue day to define the starting order of phase 1. In P47, felt good to get the first race nerves out the way. Took it easy and safe. The first Stage will have a special stage of 367 km. It will be interesting as I will be starting at the very front, hope I don’t get too lost.”
The 2023 Dakar Rally continues tomorrow with the 589-kilometer stage two. Riders will face another long timed special, with 430 kilometres raced against the clock.
Lorenzo Santolino finished in 11th place. Confident from the start this morning, he was able to make the most of his Sherco 450 and rode a good part of the day with the leaders.
“A very nice and fast mixed stage starting at the seaside, then it moved on to a sandier area of open desert and canyons with rocky and technical tracks, the last part of the special consisted of dunes.
“I felt very good, I managed to pass several riders, I tried to not waste too much time overtaking them in the dust and concentrated on keeping a good rhythm. I’m happy to have reached the finish line, I was confident in my navigation, however I’m still a bit lacking in riding rhythm in the dunes”.
Rui Goncalvez was less fortunate than his two partners. A clutch problem penalized him on the many technical parts of the stage, he gave everything he had in the special to limit the loss of time, compensating for the mechanics with pure physical effort, he arrived at the finish very tired. He had to draw on his reserves. The instruction for tomorrow will be to ride clean and save his energy, the race is still very long. He is 41st.
Sherco Factory team Classification day 1 :
Lorenzo Santolino: P11Harrith Noah: P24
Rui Gonçalvez: P41
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Hemanth Muddappa bags 10th National crown; Alimon clinches top class: Drag Nationals
Chennai, 30 Dec 2022: Reigning champion Hemanth Muddappa added one more title to his glittering shelf to join the rare elite club 10-time National champions, as he clinched the National Championship titles in the superbike category in the fourth and final round of the MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Drag Racing Championship 2022 at the Madras International Circuit here on Friday.
As declared yesterday, Bengaluru’s Alimon Saidalavi won the premier Unrestricted class National Championship with an all-win record, winning the final round with ease astride the Kawasaki Ninja H2.
Champions All: (from left) Prashanth, Hemanth Muddappa, Alimon Saidalavi, Saurabh Parab, Bharath Raj and Abdul Shaikh. Photos by Karan Ravi. Muddappa, with three wins in four outings in the Super Sport 4-stroke 1051-1650cc class retained his title astride a Suzuki Hayabusa. Muddappa’s team Mantra Racing bagged the team honours in both these superbike classes. Muddappa and Mantra Racing combination, thus achieved a record 10 National titles.
Chennai-born engineer from Rockers Racing, Bharath Raj hogged the limelight bagging a hat-trick in the 361-550cc class and made it a grand double adding another National title in the Upto 165cc category. He also helped his team Rockers Racing win the team championship in both the classes.
Puducherry’s Lani Zena Fernandez (RACR Castrol Power Ultimate1) won the Round-4 race which helped her to finish on top in the championship standings in the Girls category (Stock 165cc), just three points ahead of favourite Soundari Ananthraj (AS Motorsports) who finished a distant sixth today.
Lani Zena Fernandez of Puducherry made a brilliant comeback to win the Girls title. Mumbai’s Saurabh Parab, with two wins and four podiums, picked up the National crown in the 551-850cc category. Bengaluru’s Abdul Shaikh of G1 Motors Racing finished second behind Chennai’s Madhan Kumar in the 2-stroke upto 130cc class, but that was enough for the 29-year rider to clinch the National title.
Bharath Raj of Team Rockers Racing bags his fifth National title from two different classes. Round-4 – Provisional results:
Unrestricted: 1. Alimon Saidalavi (Bengaluru) (07.732secs); 2. Attaulla Baig (Bengaluru) (07.956); 3. Hemanth Muddappa (Bengaluru, Mantra Racing) (07.968). National champion: Alimon Saidalavi (Bengaluru). Team champions: Mantra Racing, Bengaluru.
4-Stroke Super Sport 1051-1650cc: 1. Hemanth Muddappa (Bengaluru, Mantra Racing) (07.866); 2. Mujahid Pasha (Bengaluru) (07.877); 3. Attaulla Baig (Bengaluru) (08.038). National champion: Hemanth Muddappa. Team champions: Mantra Racing, Bengaluru.
851-1050cc (Support race): 1. Saurabh Parabh (Mumbai) (07.827); 2. Hemanth Muddappa (Bengaluru, Mantra Racing) (07.861); 3. Mohammed Riyaz (Hyderabad) (08.029).
551-850cc 4-Stroke Super Sport: 1. Saurabh Parab (Mumbai) (08.476); 2. Mohammed Riyaz (Hyderabad) (08.510); Hemanth Muddappa (Bengaluru, Matra Racing) (08.664). National champion: Saurabh Parabh. Team champions: Mantra Racing, Bengaluru.
361-550cc (Super Sport Indian): 1. Nadeem Pasha (Bengaluru) (12.003); 2. Anish Shetty (Bengaluru, PRN Motorsports) (12.020); 3. Bharath Raj (Chennai, Rockers Racing) (12.029). National champion: Bharath Raj. Team champions: Rockers Racing, Chennai.
166-225cc (Support race); 1. Badhusha M (Chennai) (13.438); 2. Srikantha P (Bengaluru) (13.647); 3. Aiyaz Rem (Bengaluru) (14.297).
Upto 165cc (Super Sport Indian): 1. Mohammed Fazil (Bengaluru) (14.095); 2. Mohammed Arfath (Bengaluru) (14.214); 3. Yogeshwaran (Chennai) (14.654). National champion: Bharath Raj. Team champions: Rockers Racing, Chennai.
2-Stroke 131-165cc: 1. Prashanth (Bengaluru) (12.822); 2. Ashok S (Bengaluru) (12.995); 3. Abdul Shaikh (Bengaluru) (13.115). National champion: Prashanth. Team champions: Rockers Racing, Chennai.
2-Stroke Upto 130cc: 1. Madhan Kumar R (Chennai) (13.517); 2. Abdul Shaikh (Bengaluru) (13.551); 3. Arvind Ganesh (Chennai, AP Motorsports) (13.611). National champion: Abdul Shaikh. Team champions: AP Motorsports, Chennai.
GIRLS (165cc, Novice): 1. Lani Zena Fernandez (Puducherry, RACR Castrol Power Ultimate 1) (16.461); 2. Nivetha Jessica (Chennai) (16.601); 3. Aditi Krishnan (Bengaluru) (16.619). National champion: Lani Zena Fernandez. Team champions: Axor Sparks Racing, Chennai.
Abdul Shaikh, National champion 2022 Upto 130cc class.
MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcylce Drag Racing Nationals – Champions for 2022
1. Unrestricted:
Alimon Saidalavi (Bengaluru). Team champions: Mantra Racing, Bengaluru.
2. 4-Stroke Super Sport 1051-1650cc:
Hemanth Muddappa. Team champions: Mantra Racing, Bengaluru.
3. 551-850cc 4-Stroke Super Sport:
Saurabh Parabh. Team Mantra Racing, Bengaluru.
4. 361-550cc (Super Sport Indian):
Bharath Raj. Team champions: Rockers Racing, Chennai.
5. Upto 165cc (Super Sport Indian):
Bharath Raj. Team champions: Rockers Racing, Chennai.
6. 2-Stroke 131-165cc:
Prashanth. Team champions: Rockers Racing, Chennai.
7. 2-Stroke Upto 130cc:
National champion: Abdul Shaikh. Team champions: AP Motorsports, Chennai.
8. GIRLS (165cc, Novice):
National champion: Lani Zena Fernandez. Team champions: Axor Sparks Racing, Chennai.
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Alimon sets record; Strong comeback by Hemanth Muddappa: Drag Nationals
Chennai, 29 Dec 2022: Bengaluru riders Alimon and Hemanth Muddappa scored dominating wins in their respective superbike categories in the third round of the MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Drag Racing Championship 2022 at the Madras International Circuit, here on Thursday.
Alimon continued his win-spree to clinch the National Championship with a round to spare in the Unrestricted category as he took the honours on a Kawasaki Ninja H2, and also set a track record of 07.556 seconds over 302 metres. He won all the three rounds thus far and, today he finished ahead of Hemanth Muddappa (Mantra Racing) and Attaulla Baig, also from Bengaluru. The Unrestricted class was introduced this year and the 851-1050cc class was made as a Support Race.
Alimon, thus, set the fastest time at the MIC, bettering the previous best of 07.749 by Muddappa. The victory also gave Alimon an unassailable 32-point lead over Baig in the championship standings with a round to spare.
Alimon Saidalvi who won the Championship in the Unrestricted class at the Madras International Circuit on Thursday. Photo for INDIAinF1.com “With strong contenders in fray, it’s been a challenging field in the Nationals for this class. Perseverance and dedication helped me and the team to achieve this incredible feat. I would like to thank Topgun Racing team for the support and motivation throughout my racing career. Highlighting motorsport in India is my vision and I hope to set an example for many aspiring talents who look to enter motorsport in India,” said Alimon.
Earlier, Muddappa, the multiple National champion, was in his elements in the 1051-1650cc category astride a Suzuki Hayabusa, with a winning time of 07.910 seconds while Mujahid Pasha (Bengaluru) and yesterday’s Round-2 winner Md Riyaz (Hyderabad) came in second and third, respectively. After three rounds, Muddappa leads Riyaz by 20 points in the championship and needs just six more points to clinch the title, he is set to take his 10th National Championship title.
Another Bengaluru rider, Anish Damodara Shetty (PRN Motorsports) notched a splendid win in the 361-550cc class on a KTM RC-390 bike while Chennai rider Mohan Babu of Rockers Racing won the Super Sport Indian upto 165cc class.
In the Stock 165cc Girls class, Mumbai’s Sarah Khan of Axor Sparks Racing topped astride a Yamaha R15, to keep the championship race open with Soundari Sindy Anantharaj leading the points table with 62 points. But it will winner take it all in the final round and Sarah (58) will be looking to turn the tables on the defending champion.
The fourth and concluding round of the 2022 Championship will be run at the same venue on Friday.
Hemanth Muddappa on his Suzuki Hayabusa. INDIAinF1 File photo by Srinivasa Krishnan Girls class winner Sarah Khan (centre), along with Senior Technician Ebbi (red ‘T’), is flanked by second-placed Aditi Krishnan and Lani Zena Fernandez (extreme right). Chief guest Anoop, (MMSC) left, is also seen. Photo: Axor Spark Racing Round-3 results (Provisional, all 4-Stroke Super Sport unless mentioned):
Unrestricted: 1. Alimon Saidalavi (Bengaluru) (07.556secs); 2. Hemanth Muddappa (Mantra Racing, Bengaluru) (07.768); 3. Attaulla Baig (Bengaluru) (08.037).
1051-1650cc: 1. Hemanth Muddappa (Mantra Racing, Bengaluru) (07.910); 2. Mujahid Pasha (Bengaluru) (08.019); 3. Md Riyaz (Hyderabad) (08.103).
851-1050cc (Support race): 1. Saurabh Parabh (Mumbai) (07.880); 2. Hemanth Muddappa (Mantra Racing, Bengaluru) (08.065); 3. Sugan Prasad SP (Bengaluru) (08.236).
551-850cc: 1. Sidharth Ratan Parmar (Mumbai) (08.510); 2. Saurabh Parab (Mumbai) (08.552); 3. Mohammed Riyaz (Hyderabad) (08.630).
361-550cc (Super Sport Indian): 1. Anish Shetty (PRN Motorsports, Bengaluru) (12.243); 2. Bharath Raj (Rockers Racing, Chennai) (12.244); 3. Aiyaz Rem (Bengaluru) (12.363).
166-225cc (Support race): 1. Srikantha P (Bengaluru) (13.520); 2. Aiyaz Rem (Bengaluru) (14.293); 3. Madhan Kumar R (Chennai) (14.333).
Upto 165cc (Super Sport Indian): 1. Mohan Babu (Rockers Racing, Chennai) (14.154); 2. Arvind Ganesh (Chennai) (14.234); 3. Bharath Raj (Rockers Racing, Chennai) (14.235).
2-Stroke 131-165cc: 1. Prashanth (Bengaluru) (12.821); 2. Aiyaz Rem (Bengaluru) (12.983); 3. Shreyas Hareesh (Rockers Racing, Bengaluru) (13.069).
2-Stroke Upto 130cc: 1. Abdul Shaikh (Bengaluru) (13.497); 2. Mohamed Rafiq (Bengaluru) (13.778); 3. Mohammed Arfath (Bengaluru) (13.784).
GIRLS (165cc, Novice): 1. Sarah Khan (Axor Sparks Racing, Mumbai) (16.562); 2. Aditi Krishnan (Bengaluru) (16.639); 3. Lani Zena Fernandez (RACR, Puducherry) (16.704).
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Harith Noah lone rider from India; Hero Motosports, the only Indian team: Dakar 2023
- Harith Noah of Sherco TVS Rally Factory team will be the lone rider to represent India once again at the Dakar while Hero Motosports Team Rally will be the only Indian Manufacturer team. A squad of four foreign riders, Franco Caimi, Joaquim Rodrigues, Ross Branch, and Sebastian Buhler, will represent the Hero team.
- Sam Sunderland shines brightest among the 125 bikers slated to take the start of the Dakar from the Sea Camp. The title holder is targeting a third triumph in the rally after being crowned world champion at the end of the W2RC. GasGas’s British rider is one of the stars that make up the varied KTM constellation, along with contenders such as Kevin Benavides, Skyler Howes and rising star Mason Klein.
- Their arch-rivals at Honda are bringing overwhelming firepower to bear in a bid to reclaim the throne, with challengers such as the fresh recruit Adrien Van Beveren, Ricky Brabec, Pablo Quintanilla and “Nacho” Cornejo, as well as Joan Barreda, although the Spaniard is no longer in the factory team.
- 27 bikers will be taking part in the 2023 edition in the Original by Motul category, which requires them to take care of their motorbikes on their own every evening —a pure, unadulterated spirit of adventure.
It feels like a lifetime ago that the talent needed to prevail in the Dakar was concentrated in a few bikers in the orbit of KTM, the behemoth that held the race in an iron grip for 18 editions in a row. However, some things remain the same, such as Sam Sunderland’s ability to consistently handle the pressure at the top of the race. The Brit stayed as cool as a cucumber in the face of adversity last January to conquer his second title in the rally and went on to crush the opposition throughout the W2RC season and retake the title he had already won in 2019. The rock-solid “Sunder Sam” now rides for Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing, where he shares the stable with Daniel Sanders, who has already shown the makings of a champion but has been hamstrung and unable to race often since he hurt his elbow in the Dakar. Their cousins at Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, with three former winners in their ranks, are legitimate outsiders.
Kevin Benavides has been their top performer this year, ending the season on a high note with second place in Andalusia, whereas Matthias Walkner struggled with an injured shoulder and Toby Price was unable to go the distance in a car in the Baja 1000 and on his KTM in the Rallye du Maroc.
The KTM galaxy has other stars ready to shine in the Husqvarna Factory Racing constellation, including the winner of the Rallye du Maroc, Skyler Howes, and his runner-up Luciano Benavides, who finished the W2RC just outside the podium. Keen stargazers should also point their telescopes towards BAS World KTM Racing Team, the development team focused on assisting the rise of Mason Klein, the breakthrough performance of the 2022 edition with ninth place at the tender age of 20, who capped his season with the Rally2 championship.
Another change in the star charts, the disappearance of the Yamaha factory team, paved the way for Adrien Van Beveren to sign with Monster Energy Honda Team and bolster the squad’s title prospects. Boisterous in blue as he cruised to fourth place in the 2022 Dakar, the Frenchman has been radiant in red since he moved to his new team, taking fourth place in the Rallye du Maroc and winning the Andalucía Rally in his latest outing. This has not stopped the Japanese maker from spreading its bets, however, knowing that 2020 champion Ricky Brabec came in second in the W2RC and its two Chilean bikers, Pablo Quintanilla (second in 2022) and “Nacho” Cornejo (sixth in the same year), both have what it takes to seize the title at stake in Dammam. Indeed, Honda’s roster is so deep that the factory team could even afford to let go a man who has 29 stage wins to his name and finished fifth in the previous edition, but Joan Barreda, now competing as a lone rider on a “satellite” Honda, remains as dashing and hungry for victory as ever going into his thirteenth Dakar.
Beyond the top-billed bout between KTM and Honda, there are other contenders in teams that evoke the fleeting brilliance of a shooting star. Hero Motosports Team Rally is ready to shoot for the stars with Franco Caimi and Joaquim Rodrigues, who brought the Indian outfit its maiden stage win in 2022. The Sherco Factory bikers will definitely be burning with the same ambition, especially Lorenzo Santolino, fourth in the Andalucía Rally in his latest outing.
The 21-year-old Mason Klein has graduated to the “big league” after turning the entire Rally2 season into the Mason Klein Show, but Konrad Dąbrowski, who was a serious contender, will have to watch the Dakar on TV after undergoing surgery for appendicitis. This turn of events has bumped the South African Bradley Cox up to favourite status, but he will face a challenge from Romain Dumontier and Camille Chapelière. The rookies are also dead set on making their mark on the race, starting with former enduro world champion Alex Salvini and the extremely promising Tomas de Gavardo.
Original by Motul: the bravest of the brave
They call it the ultimate experience. Entering the Dakar without assistance means signing up for one sleepless night after another and a vicious circle of fatigue, but making it to the finish in such gruelling circumstances comes with unparalleled bragging rights and the satisfaction of sharing the whole experience with the rest of the Original by Motul field. A rule change this year makes former pro bikers and riders who have already stood on the Original by Motul podium ineligible for the classification.
However, this has not stopped the Spaniard Joan Pedredo, twice fifth in the Dakar (2011 and 2013) and a former lieutenant of Marc Coma in the latter’s victorious campaigns, from tackling the rally solo in what will be his 15th start.
Just like category regulars such as Benjamin Melot and Emanuel Gyenes, he will be racing as an ambassador for the Original by Motul, an open-air garage in which every biker has to comb through his or her motorbike at the end of the day and fix anything that needs fixing. For the first time ever, five American bikers riding under the banner of “American Rally Originals” will look for strength in numbers in a bid to make it to the finish together, while a new female biker, Kristen Landman (55th in 2020), is poised to discover the joys and sorrows of Original by Motul.
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Alimon wins top class; Debut victory for Shreyas; Double for Bharath: Drag Nationals
Chennai, 28 Dec 2022: Bengaluru’s Alimon Saidalvi, astride a Kawasaki Ninja H2, raced to victory in the Feature race, the Unrestricted category, while Rockers Racing’s Bharath Raj scored a double in the second round of the MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Drag Racing Championship 2022 at the Madras International Circuit, here on Wednesday.
Earlier, the 12-year old inaugural MiniGP India champion, Shreyas Hareesh, who made his debut in the Drag Nationals here, won the 2-Stroke upto 165cc Super Sport class beating a strong field of 29 riders. Astride a Yamaha RX 135, the Rockers Racing rider, clocked an impressive 12.615 seconds for the 402-metre dash. Fellow-Bengalureans Prashanth (12.748) and Aiyaz Rem (12.931) came in second and third respectively to make it an all-Bengaluru affair.
Shreyas Hareesh, the 12-year Bengaluru school boy makes a winning debut in Drag Nationals at Madras International Circuit on Wednesday. Photo SH team Bharath Raj, 33, an engineer at Ola Electric from Chennai, also from Rockers Racing, defeated Mohammed Arfath of Bengaluru to win the Super Sport Indian upto 165cc class clocking 14.395 seconds. Later, Raj topped his favourite 361-550cc class, astride a KTM RC390, edging past teammate Mohammed Shakir. Anish Shetty finished third. Raj, who won the 361-550cc for the last two years said: “I am happy to be on the top step of the podium once again. But no time to rest as we will be going all out in the next two rounds.”
In the Unrestricted class, Alimon clocked a blistering 08.022 seconds for the 302-metre sprint to pip Mumbai’s Saurabh Parab (08.073s) and Hyderabad’s Md Riyaz (08.178s).
Earlier, Riyaz, riding a Suzuki Hayabusa, scored a notable victory over fancied Hemanth Muddappa (Mantra Racing) from Bengaluru in the 1051-1650cc category with Mujahid Pasha, also from Bengaluru, finishing third.
Muddappa drew some consolation by claiming the top spot in the support race (851-1050cc) ahead of Saurabh Parab (Mumbai) and Riyaz.
Reigning champion Soundari “Sindy’ Ananthraj of AS Motorsports took the honours in the Girls (4-Stroke, Stock 165cc) category, edging out Mumbai’s Sarah Khan of Axor Sparks Racing and Lani Zena Fernandez (RACR) from Puducherry.
Soundari “Sindy’ Antanthraj of AS Motorsports, the defending champion, wins Girls class in Round 2 at MIC on Wednesday. The Round 3 of the championship will be held on Thursday while the Round 4, which is the final round, is scheduled for Friday, also at the MIC.
Round-2 Provisional results (all 4-Stroke Super Sport unless mentioned):
Unrestricted: 1. Alimon Saidalvi (Bengaluru) (08.022secs); 2. Saurabh Parab (Mumbai) (08.073); 3. Md Riyaz (Hyderabad) (08.178).
1051-1650cc: 1. Md Riyaz (Hyderabad) (08.108); 2. Hemanth Muddappa (Mantra Racing, Bengaluru) (08.144); 3. Mujahid Pasha (Bengaluru) (08.220).
851-1050cc (Support race): 1. Hemanth Muddappa (Mantra Racing, Bengaluru) (08.012); 2. Saurabh Parabh (Mumbai) (08.013); 3. Md Riyaz (Hyderabad) (08.228).
551-850cc: 1. Saurabh Parab (Mumbai) (08.424); 2. Sidharth Parmar (Mumbai) (08.561); 3. Hemanth Muddappa (Mantra Racing, Bengaluru) (08.774).
361-550cc (Super Sport Indian): 1. Bharath Raj (Rockers Racing, Chennai) (12.033); 2. Mohammed Shakir (Rockers Racing, Chennai) (12.332); 3. Anish Shetty (PRN Motorsports, Bengaluru) (12.348).
166-225cc (Support race); 1. Srikantha P (Bengaluru) (13.276); 2. Badhusha M (Chennai) (13.721); 3. Madhan Kumar R (Chennai) (14.393).
Upto 165cc (Super Sport Indian): 1. Bharath Raj (Rockers Racing, Chennai) (14.395); 2. Mohammed Arfath (Bengaluru) (14.621); 3. Badhusha M (Chennai) (14.880).
2-Stroke 131-165cc: 1. Shreyas Hareesh (Rockers Racing, Bengaluru) (12.615); 2. Prashanth (Bengaluru) (12.748); 3. Aiyaz Rem (Bengaluru) (12.931).
2-Stroke Upto 130cc: 1. Abdul Shaikh (Bengaluru) (13.296); 2. Prashanth (Bengaluru) (13.381); 3. Mohamed Rafiq (Bengaluru) (13.565).
GIRLS (165cc, Novice): 1. Soundari ‘Sindy’ Ananthraj (AS Motorsports, Chennai) (16.340); 2. Sarah Khan (Axor Sparks Racing, Mumbai) (16.421); 3. Lani Zena Fernandez (RACR, Puducherry) (16.453).
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Hemanth Muddappa set to extend domination on Drag Nationals
Chennai, 26 Dec 2022: Reigning National champion Hemanth Muddappa representing Mantra Racing team from Bengaluru is expected to extend his domination this week as the curtains come down on the MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Drag Racing Championship 2022 at the Madras International Circuit here this week with Rounds 2, 3 and 4, being run from Tuesday, December 27 to Friday, December 30.
In the first round in July, Muddappa won two National championship races and is all set to add to his kitty of nine National Championship titles.
While the first round of the four-round Championship was held in July, the subsequent outings could not be held as scheduled due to monsoon rains and the Mandhus cyclone that severely impacted the region. As such, the promoters, Madras Motor Sports Club, decided to bunch the remaining three rounds and complete the championship.
Tuesday has been set aside for practice sessions, while the following three days will witness final runs in Rounds 2, 3 and 4 at the end of which the National Champions will be declared.
As has been the trend in the championship, close to 150 entries, across eight categories, have been received with MMSC incentivising the riders to compete in all the three rounds this week.
One of the highlights of the weekend would be the 4-Stroke Unrestricted category where Muddappa faces arch-rival and fellow-Bengalurean Alimon Saidalvi who won the 302-metre dash in July.
On view this week would be an array of super bikes, ranging from the Suzuki Hayabusa to Triumph to BMW, besides a host of modified Indian bikes.
In fact, Bengaluru is very strongly represented in all the categories while riders from Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai, fill up the rest of the grids.
Two of the categories – Super Sport 851-1050cc and Super Sport 166-225cc – will be run as support events.
As in the past, the 2-Stroke categories have attracted the most number of entries, totalling over 60 while the Girls class (4-Stroke up to 165cc) has eight competitors.
About Madras Motor Sports Club
Since its humble beginnings in 1953, the Madras Motor Sports Club has grown in stature as the hub of motorsport activity in India. Having moved its racing activities from Sholavaram to its present location, the Madras International Circuit (earlier MMRT), in Sriperumbudur in 1979, MMSC has kept pace with changing times by upgrading facilities. At a cost of about Rs 20 Crore, the MMSC built a pit complex comprising 20 garages, VIP hospitality suites and a viewing gallery, on the eastern side, apart from a second Paddock on the western side with its own short circuit. Parallelly, MMSC imported timing equipment specifically for Drag racing. The Control Room too was upgraded with state-of-the-art hardware while the track itself was improved to meet the exacting FIA standards for Grade-2 certification. MMSC also constructed a 500-capacity grand stand with provision for garages / storage below. In another upgrade, the MMSC installed Digi flags from TAG Heuer Chronolec that will be positioned strategically around the track. The facilities are also extensively used by various vehicle manufacturers for testing their products, displays and corporate days.
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TVS Apache RR 310 in Gameloft’s Asphalt 8
Bengaluru, 15 Dec 2022: TVS Motor Company, a reputed manufacturer of two-wheelers and three-wheelers globally, announced today its partnership with Gameloft for brands for Asphalt 8: Airborne featuring its flagship motorcycle, TVS Apache RR 310. It makes TVS Motor the first Indian two-wheeler manufacturer to bring a virtual racing experience of its motorcycle to Gameloft’s Asphalt 8, one of the world’s leading motor racing game. This integration marks TVS Apache’s foray into the world of gaming, extending its commitment to deliver an unparalleled racing experience to its 4.8 million+ customers, online as well as offline. It is in line with the growing interest for gaming amidst the racing enthusiasts and target audience for TVS Apache, making this integration another medium for the company to engage with enthusiasts across the world even when they are off their motorcycles.
The TVS Apache series built out of TVS Racing, is based on the “Track to Road” philosophy. This philosophy manifests itself in each of TVS Apache motorcycles through the best-in-segment performance, technology and unique stye.
Commenting on the partnership, Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “TVS Motor Company is excited about its partnership with Gameloft for brands, as it brings TVS Apache RR 310 in the popular gaming franchise – Asphalt 8: Airborne. TVS Apache series has been instrumental in flourishing premium motorcycling culture and is a popular brand among motorcycle enthusiasts and the Gen-Z. We are sure that this collaboration with Gameloft will help in increasing the awareness for TVS Apache brand, targeting a new set of audience while engaging online with our customers. With initiatives like these, TVS Apache has become one of the fastest growing brands in its segment, and continues to demonstrate its focus on bringing innovative platforms to connect with the customers.”
Speaking on the integration, Alexandre Tan, SVP Brand Partnerships & Advertising at Gameloft for brands, said, “TVS Motor is a great partner and we are excited that they are joining us for the first time in this new competition. With this new partner, we are thrilled to bring new innovative and exclusive in the game, creating a deeper connection with the TVS Motor brand and the Asphalt franchise community.”
Key highlights:
- As part of this association, gamers across the world can now compete against each other on TVS Motor Company’s flagship motorcycle – the TVS Apache RR 310
- With this new integration, the 4.8 million TVS Apache customers and owners worldwide will get an all-new platform to experience their favourite TVS Apache RR 310 virtually in an exciting setting
- TVS Motor is the first Indian two-wheeler manufacturer to bring its motorcycle to the popular gaming franchise
- Players will discover the new TVS Apache branded booster & billboards and the new TVS Apache World Series Season. In the process, they also stand a chance to win exciting prizes
- TVS Apache customers find keen interest in online gaming, and this association is set to bolster the brand’s awareness and imagery in engaging newer audiences
- The TVS Apache RR 310 integration in Asphalt 8: Airborne can be experienced in Career, Player vs Player and Multiplayer modes
About TVS Motor Company
TVS Motor Company is a reputed two and three-wheeler manufacturer globally, championing progress through Sustainable Mobility with four state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Hosur, Mysuru and Nalagarh in India and Karawang in Indonesia. Rooted in our 100-year legacy of Trust, Value, and Passion for Customers and Exactness, we take pride in making internationally aspirational products of the highest quality through innovative and sustainable processes. We are the only two-wheeler company to have received the prestigious Deming Prize. Our products lead in their respective categories in the J.D. Power IQS and APEAL surveys. We have been ranked No. 1 Company in the J.D. Power Customer Service Satisfaction Survey for consecutive four years. Our group company Norton Motorcycles, based in the United Kingdom, is one of the most emotive motorcycle brands in the world. Our subsidiaries in the personal e-mobility space, Swiss E-Mobility Group (SEMG) and EGO Movement have a leading position in the e-bike market in Switzerland. TVS Motor Company endeavours to deliver the most superior customer experience across 80 countries in which we operate. For more information, please visit www.tvsmotor.com
About Gameloft for brands
Gameloft for brands offers leading advertising and gamification solutions to help brands better connect with their audiences. Through interactive content and immersive experiences supported by its extensive in-game media network, Gameloft for brands leverages its longstanding gaming expertise to engage people in meaningful ways with an unparalleled level of transparency and safety. Gameloft for brands has received the TAG Certification Against Fraud Seal and follows MOAT’s standards. To date, Gameloft for brands has delivered more than 10,000 campaigns for prestigious brands such as Air France, Coca-Cola®, Ferrero, Ford, FOX™, Automobili Lamborghini, ING, Netflix, Procter & Gamble, Samsung and LEGO, in over 40 countries around the world (North America, Latin America, Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, etc.) and our work has been honoured with over 50 awards from marketing organizations.
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Godspeed Kochi crowned maiden IRL champions
Hyderabad, 11 Dec 2022: Scintillating performance winning all the three races on the final day saw dark horses Godspeed Kochi crowned as the team champions in the inaugural Indian Racing League (IRL) as strong favourites Black Birds Hyderabad fell by the way side in the fourth and final round which concluded at the street circuit on the banks of Hussain Sagar here on Sunday.
Akhil Rabindra, who won the Driver’s championship. Photo Shameem Fahath Black Birds Hyderabad’s Akhil Rabindra, ace Indian driver, was adjudged as Driver champion followed by teammate Neel Jani in Second. Kochi team’s Alister Yoong of Malaysia was third.
All the four drivers of Kochi, Ruhaan Alva and Fabienne in Car #1 and Alister Yoong and Nikhil Bora in Car #2 turned in excellent performance on the final day to close the championship with a bang.
Despite the early hiccups, the historic Racing League, the first city-based motorsports league in the country also gave India its first Street Circuit, thanks to the support from the Telangana government. The new Circuit is expected to host the Formula E world Championship next February after the homologation of the track.
Godspeed Kochi’s Alister Yoong and Nikhil Bora finished the final day of the League season and the Round 4 on a high note, posting thumping victories in both the Sprint Races and the Feature Race. Meanwhile, their second car piloted by Ruhaan Alva and Fabienne Wohlwend, chipped in with a sixth place, despite technical issues with the car, after finishing fourth on the track and logging a penalty. Thus, Godspeed Kochi (313.5), who went into the final race trailing by 23.5 points to Black Birds Hyderabad (337) garnered enough points to turn the tables and overthrow the Championship leaders and were crowned the inaugural Team Champions of IRL promoted by Racing Promotions Private Limited. Kochi ended up with 417.5 points to Hyderabad’s 385.
Alister Yoong, centre, and Nikhil Bohra, right, with Kochi team boss Jose Pottamkulam Ootta, a former Rally star. File photo by Karan Ravi. In the Feature Race, both the Blue cars of Kochi started on the front row but there was much drama with a Red flag at the very beginning following Hyderabad’s Akhil Rabindra’s car stalling on the grid. Later, after three formation laps the race began with most of the cars on wet tyres on a drying track.
In car #2, Nikhil Bora started on pole and lead the race and after driver swap, Alister Yoong, surprisingly found himself in third place and finished second on the track. But later, he was credited with a victory in the Feature Race, thus making a clean sweep for Kochi team.
File photo of Ruhaan Alva, left, and Fabienne Wohlwend of Godspeed Kochi team. Photo by Akhil (IRL/Shameem’s team) Behind Alister, Kevin of Goa Aces, who began in P3 overtook Ruhaan and soon Jon Lancaster of Chennai followed suit. But with some skilful driving Ruhaan, the 17-year Bengalurean, gained back a place and jumped into the pits quite early and there was confusion if he missed the pit-window. However, Fabienne took over after the driver swap and retained the third place till the final lap before finishing the race in fourth place on the track. But later, a penalty saw them end up in sixth place. But that classification was enough to garner valuable 32 points for the team which counted in their snatching the Team Championship.
Earlier, Alister, the son of Malaysia’s first F1 racer Alex Yoong, won the first Sprint Race followed by Gabriela Jilkova and Sohil Shah (Both Goa Aces).
In the second Sprint Race, Nikhil Bora and Ruhaan Alva posted a 1-2 victory for Kochi to gain full points and Kevin Mirocha of Goa Aces finished third. With today’s exploits Goa Aces finished the championship in third with 282 points.
Godspeed Kochi team file photo from Round 2 by Shameem Fahath. Final Results – Feature Race:
1. Nikhil Bora/ Alister Yoong (Godspeed Kochi);
2. Kevin Mirocha / Gabriela Jilkova (Goa Aces);
3. Anindith Reddy/ Lola* (Black Birds Hyderabad);
4. Jon Lancaster / Sandeep Kumar (Chennai Turbo Riders);
5. Nicole Hvarda / Parth Ghorpade (Chennai Turbo Riders);
6. Ruhaan Alva /Fabienne Wohlwend (Godspeed Kochi);
*(Unwell Lola did not take part on Sunday and Anindith drove the race alone with a 3-min pitstop)
Not Classified:
7. Amir Sayed/ Sohil Shah (Goa Aces);
8. Rishon Rajeev / Bianca Bustamante (Bangalore Speedsters);
9. Mitchell Gilbert / Celia Martin (Speed Demons Delhi);
10. Akash Gowda/ Shahan Ali Mohsin (Speed Riders Delhi);
11. Oliver Webb /Anshul Gandhi (Bangalore Speedsters);
12. Akhil Rabindra /Thomas Canning (Black Birds Hyderabad);
Sprint Race 1:
1. Alister Yoong (Godspeed Kochi);
2. Gabriela Jilkova (Goa Aces)
3. Shohil Shah (Goa Aces)
4. Thomas Canning (Black Birds Hyderabad);
5. Akash Gowda (Speed Demons Delhi);
6. Nicole Havrda (Chennai Turbo Riders);
7. Sandeep Kumar (Chennai Turbo Riders);
8. Celia Martin (Speed Demons Delhi);
9. Fabienne Wohlwend (Godspeed Kochi);
10. Rishon Rajeev (Bangalore Speedsters);
11. Oliver Webb (Bangalore Speedsters);
12. Anindith Reddy (Black Birds Hyderabad).
Sprint Race 2:
1. Nikhil Bohra (Godspeed Kochi);
2. Ruhaan Alva (Godspeed Kochi);
3. Kevin Mirocha (Goa Aces);
4. Jon Lancaster (Chennai Turbo Riders);
5. Akhil Rabindra (Black Birds Hyderabad);
6. Amir Sayed (Goa Aces);
7. Parth Ghorpade (Chennai Turbo Riders);
8. Shahan Ali Mohsin (Speed Demons Delhi);
9. Mitchell Gilbert (Speed Demons Delhi);
10. Bianca Bustamante (Bangalore Speedsters);
11. Anshul Gandhi (Bangalore Speedsters);
12 Anindith Reddy (Black Birds Hyderabad).
Final Championship Points table
1. Godspeed Kochi 445.5;
2. Black Birds Hyderabad: 397;
3. Goa Aces: 294;
4. Chennai Turbo Riders 226.
5. Bangalore Speedsters 147.5;
6. Speed Demons Delhi 141;
Drivers title:
1. Akhil Rabindra (Black Birds Hyderabad);
2. Neel Jani (Black Birds Hyderabad);
3. Alister Yoong (Godspeed Kochi).
eom/david/7.42pm
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ERC awards for Team MRF Tyres at FIA gala 2022
Bologna (Italy) 11 Dec 2022: Team MRF Tyres received the European Rally Championship 2022 Awards here at the prestigious FIA Gala where all the Champions and Championship winning Teams have been awarded their Titles. The presentation was held in Bologna and marked the culmination of a successful and victorious season for Team MRF Tyres strengthening their place as one of the best in the sport.
Arun Mammen, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director – MRF Ltd., received the Winning Team award, while Efren Llarena received the Winning Driver Title and Sara Fernandez received the Winning Co-Driver Titles for the European Rally Championship. Javier Pardo of Team MRF Tyres was the Runner-up in the European Rally Championships 2022.
Speaking after collecting the award, Arun Mammen said, “It is indeed a proud and landmark moment in our journey as a Tyre company to be able to achieve this success in such a short period of time. We entered the ERC in 2020 and have been able to bring our technical and development skills to be able to fight against the top Tyre brands and win this Championship. This win means a lot to the team of MRF men and women back in the factories and India and is a stupendous achievement and is a realization of their hard work. We hope that this is the first of many to come.”
Photo caption: Arun Mammen, Vice-Chairman & Managing Director MRF Limited poses with the Team award along with, with Efren Llaren, right, and Sara Fernandez, who won the awards for ERC Driver championship and Co-Driver’s championship for the year 2022 at FIA gala Awards Giving on Saturday.
