INDIA in F1

Category: National Championship

The event counts as the National Championship recognised by FMSCI, the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India, the governing body of motorsports in India, and the ASN recognised by FIA and FIM.

  • Meco fmsci National Karting Championship X30 class 2021

    The Meco FMSCI National Karting Championship X30 Class 2021 were held at 1.2km Meco Kartopia in Bengaluru. There are three categories where National champions are decided, namely Senior, Junior and Cadet. FMSCI, the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs in India, also conducts Rotax Max Karting Nationals, also in three class. So every year six National champions emerge from Karting National events.

    Meco Kartopia in the only FMSCI homologated track in Bengaluru that was approved to conduct National races in karting from June 2015. National Karting champion Yash Aradhya holds the lap record at Meco Kartopia at 54.117 seconds in 2017 (Editor note: The record is later broken). Born on 17 August 2002, Aradhya shifted base to Europe in 2021 to study and plan for his Formula-4 races.  The track has also seen the likes of Narain Karthikeyan, Arjun Maini, Kush Maini take to the track and produced many talented youngsters like Shahan Ali Mohsin, Ishaan Madesh and Rajiv Rishon. (The champions list is not yet complete.)

    2020 – Champions

    Senior: Ruhaan Alva; Junior:

    2021 Meco FMSCI NKC 2021 X30

    1. Round 5

    Senior

    Junior

    Cadet

    Meco FMSCI NKC 2021 X30 Round 4

    Senior

    Junior

    Cadet

    Meco FMSCI NKC 2021 X30 Round 2 & 3

    Sunday 29 August 2021 Seniors & Cadet

    Saturday 28 August 2021 Juniors

    Friday 27 August 2021;

    Thursday 26 August 2021 Cadet

    Meco FMSCI NKC 2021 X30 Round 1

    Sunday Report Winners: Senior: Ruhaan Alva; Junior: Rohaan Madesh; Cadet: Nikhilesh Raju.

    Saturday Report:

    Cadet

    2020 -Meco FMSCI NKC 2020 X30 Round 5

    Senior

    Junior

    Cadet

    Meco FMSCI NKC 2020 X30 Round 4

    Senior

    Junior

    Cadet

    Meco FMSCI NKC 2020 X30 Round 3

    Senior

    Junior

    Cadet

    Meco FMSCI NKC 2020 X30 Round 2

    Senior

    Junior

    Cadet

    Meco FMSCI NKC 2020 X30 Round 1

    Senior

    Junior

    Cadet

    2014 Champions

    Yash Aradhya – Rotax Max – Class

  • Indian National Rally Sprint Championship 2020 – Champions List

    CHAMPIONS 2020 – FMSCI Indian National Rally Sprint Championship 2020

    PROMOTER = Motorsport INC

    1. Group A Upto 800cc Class:

    1. Sinan Francis (Ernakulam) KTM-EXC450 = 101 points

    2. Sarath Mohan, Suzuki RMX450z, Mallapuram = 80 points

    3. Vishwas SD (Bengaluru) Suzuki ?, = tied on 76 points

    3. Badal S Doshi (Pune) Vishwas SD (Bengaluru) Suzuki RMX450z, = tied on 76 points

    2. Group B 131cc to 165cc:

     1. Pavan BK (Bengaluru) Hero Impulse  = 130;

    2. Ishan Chandra (Mangalore) Hero Impulse = 122;

    3. Vinay Prasad = 84.

    3. Group B 261cc to 400cc Class:

    1. Sudeep Kottary (Mangalore) Duke 390 = 150;

    2. Sajeesh Reghunathan (Mangalore) = 104;

    3. Uday Ganguli = 84.

    4. Group B Upto 130cc Class:

    1. Noldin Thomas (Ernakulam) Yamaha-YBX = 116;

    2. Rakesh Kumar V =115;

    3. Durgesh =93.

    5. Group B 166cc to 260cc Class:

    1. Sachin D (Bengaluru) TVS Apache = 150;

    2. Yuvakumar (Bengaluru) = 90;

    3. Sanjay Somashekar (Bengaluru) = 87.

    6. Ladies Class: 1. Ryhana Bee (Chennai) Hero Impulse = 136;

    2. Tanika Shanbhag (Satara) Hero Impulse = 119;

    3. Dimpy A = 79.

    7. Bullet Class:

    1. Suhail Ahmed (Bengaluru) Himalayan = 125;

    2. Devaraj Venkatesh (Bengaluru) (Himalayan) = 11;

    3. Sarath Kumar (Bengaluru) (Himalayan) = 81.

    8. Scooter Class:

    1. Karthik Naidu (Bengaluru) TVS N-Torq = 143;

    2. Pinkesh Thakkar (Pune) Aprilla-SR125 = 105;

    3. Goutham N = 90.

    Download Final Points Table of INRSC-2020 = R1-R6Download
  • MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championships, champions

    MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championships, champions

    Madras Motorsports Club (MMSC) is the only organisation in India which owns a Motorsports facilty accredited by FIA and FIM that is active for almost all the 52 Sundays in any given Calendar Year!

    They are also the only Club who are capable of, and who have been conducting road racing championships for both two-wheeler and four-wheeler competitions since the historic days of Sholavaram fame. One of the five oldest clubs in India who discovered and promoted motorsports, MMSC, is at the forefront of promoting racing in India, is an understatement.

    Here we try to put together and compile a list of all the Racing Nationals approved by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (fmsci) for posterity.

    2021 Motorcycle Nationals – MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2021

    Round 1: MMRT Tarmac; Preview; Friday; Saturday; Sunday

    Round 2: MMRT Tarmac; Preview; Friday; Saturday; Sunday

    2020 – Two Week-ends – Four Rounds

    2019

    2018

    2017

    2016

    2015

    https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/images/decision-tree/
  • National Champions 2020: All 9 motorsports disciplines

    National Champions 2020: All 9 motorsports disciplines

    As on 26 Feb 2021

    FMSCI Indian National Championships – 2020

    1. MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Racing Championship

    2. JK Tyre  FMSCI Indian National Racing Championship

    3. FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship

    4. MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship

    5. MRF MOGRIP FMSCI National Supercross Championship

    6. MRF MOGRIP FMSCI National Rally Championship 2W

    7. MMS FMSCI National Karting Championship

    8. MMS Indian National Karting X30 Championship

    9. MMSC FMSCI Indian National 2W Drag Championship

    10. FMSCI Indian National Rally Sprint Championship 2020

    1. National Racing Championship (NRC): 2W Champions for 2020

    1. Pro-Stock 301-400cc – Rider: KY Ahamed (Chennai, TVS Racing). Team: TVS Racing. Manufacturer: TVS.

    2. Pro-Stock 165cc Open – Rider: Jagan Kumar (Chennai, TVS Racing). Team: TVS Racing. Manufacturer: TVS.

    3. Novice (Stock 165cc) – Rider: Mohan Babu (Chennai, Privateer). Team: Sparks Racing. Manufacturer: Yamaha

    4. Girls (Stock 165cc) – Rider: Anne Jennifer (Chennai, Sparks Racing). Team: Gusto Racing. Manufacturer: Yamaha.

    2. JK Tyre National Racing Championship 2020

    LGB Formula 4: 1. Champ: Sandeep Kumar, Dark Don Racing –66 points;

    2. Ashwin Datta, Dark Don Racing –63 points;

    3. Vishnu Prasad, MSport –54 points

    Novice Cup: 1. Champion: Amir Sayed, Msport – 120 points;

    2. Dhruvin Gajjar, DTS Racing –49 points;

    3. Aman Chaudhary, DTS Racing –46 points.

    Ladies Class: 1. Champion: Anushriya Gulati, Ahura Racing;

    2. Mira Erda; 3. Phoebe Nongrum.

    Rookie Class: 1. Champion: Anushriya Gulati, Ahura Racing, 77 points.

    3. Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) for 4-wheelers

    1. 1. Gaurav Gill; 2. Karna Kadur; 3. Fabid Ahmer.

    2.Co-Drivers: 1. Musa Sherif; 2. Nikhil Pai; 3. Eldo Chacko.

    3. INRC2: 1. Sahil Khanna 78; 2. Dean Mascarenhas 77; 3. Rahul Kantharaj 62;

    4. Co-drivers: 1. Vidit Jain 83; 2. Shruptha Padival 77; 3. Vivek Bhatt 66;

    5. INRC2 Team: 1. Snap Racing; (Sahil Khanna 117; Lakshay 24) Total=141;

    6. INRC3: 1. Fabid Ahmer 98; 2. Aditya Thakur 90; 3. Maninder Singh Prince 86;

    7.Co-drivers: 1. Eldo Chacko 98; 2. Virender Kashyap 90; 3. Vinay Kumar Padmashali 86;

    8. INRC3 Team: 1. Snap Racing; (Maninder 77; Amer Beg 7; Arjun Rao 7) Total =91.

    9. INRC4: 1. Vaibhav Marathe 68; 2. Mujeeb Rehman 65; 3. Rohit Iyer 55;

    10. Co-drivers: 1. Suhan MK (68); 2. Goutham CP (65); 3. Manjunath (62);

    4. National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2020

    1. Indian Touring Cars: Driver – Arjun Balu (Coimbatore, Race Concepts, 151 points). Team – FB Motorsport (262)

    2. Super Stock: Driver – Raghul Rangasamy (Mamallapuram, Performance Racing, 154). Team – Race Concepts (289).

    3. MRF Saloon Car Series: Diljith TS (Thrissur, 113).

    4. Formula LGB 1300: Driver – Tijil Rao (Bengaluru, 122). Team – Momentum Motorsport (215).

    6. MRF MoGrip National Rally Championship for 2W

    1. Overall champion: Samuel Jacob

    8. Indian National X30 Karting Championship

    1. Senior Class: Surya Varathan, Coimbatore
    2. Junior Class: Ruhaan Alva, Bengaluru
    3. Cadet Class: Ishaan Madesh, Bengaluru

    9. Indian National Drag Championship 2w 2020:

    1. Hemanth Muddappa (Mantra Racing, Above 1051cc and 851-1050cc);

    2. Aiyaz (Pvt, 361-550cc and 131-165cc);

    3. J Bharath Raj (Rulexx Rockers Racing, Up to 165cc, 226-360cc);

    4. Ann Jennifer (Sparks Racing, Girls).

    4. 2-Stroke: Aiyaz (131-165cc); Mohammed Rafiq (2S, Up to 130cc).

    10. FMSCI Indian National Rally Sprint Championship 2020

    PROMOTER = Motorsport INC

    1. Group A Upto 800cc Class:

    1. Sinan Francis (Ernakulam) KTM-EXC450 = 101 points

    2. Sarath Mohan, Suzuki RMX450z, Mallapuram = 80 points

    3. Vishwas SD (Bengaluru) Suzuki ?, = tied on 76 points

    3. Badal S Doshi (Pune) Vishwas SD (Bengaluru) Suzuki RMX450z, = tied on 76 points

    2. Group B 131cc to 165cc:

     1. Pavan BK (Bengaluru) Hero Impulse  = 130;

    2. Ishan Chandra (Mangalore) Hero Impulse = 122;

    3. Vinay Prasad = 84.

    3. Group B 261cc to 400cc Class:

    1. Sudeep Kottary (Mangalore) Duke 390 = 150;

    2. Sajeesh Reghunathan = 104;

    3. Uday Ganguli = 84.

    4. Group B Upto 130cc Class:

    1. Noldin Thomas (Ernakulam) Yamaha-YBX = 116;

    2. Rakesh Kumar V =115;

    3. Durgesh =93.

    5. Group B 166cc to 260cc Class:

    1. Sachin D (Bengaluru) TVS Apache = 150;

    2. Yuvakumar = 90;

    3. Sanjay Somashekar = 87.

    6. Ladies Class: 1. Ryhana Bee (Chennai) Hero Impulse = 136;

    2. Tanika Shanbhag (Satara) Hero Impulse = 119;

    3. Dimpy A = 79.

    7. Bullet Class:

    1. Suhail Ahmed (Bengaluru) Himalayan = 125;

    2. Devaraj Venkatesh Himalayan = 11;

    3. Sarath Kumar = 81.

    8. Scooter Class:

    1. Karthik Naidu (Bengaluru) TVS N-Torq = 143;

    2. Pinkesh Thakkar (Pune) Aprilla-SR125 = 105;

    3. Goutham N = 90.

  • Narain Karthikeyan, Maini bro’s descend on Meco Kartopia

    Narain Karthikeyan, Maini bro’s descend on Meco Kartopia

    Bengaluru, 20 Dec 20: Narain Karthikeyan, the first Formula One driver from India, descended on to the Garden City at the Meco Kartopia track where Arjun Maini, spent innumerable laps during his karting days. He is now here as part of NK Racing, Narain’s team, for which he is the mentor. Arjun Maini and his younger brother Kush Maini are taking part in the Rotax Max National Karting Championship Rounds here on Sunday. Afer Narain, Karun Chandhok, followed the well-laid path, and proved his mettle becoming the second Indian to enter the world of Formula 1.

    Now as India waits for their third man in F1, we have some of the greatest talent, India has ever-produced, with Jehan Daruvala and Arjun Maini, competing at the highest level, is search of the elusive goal, in the world of motorsports.

    And then suddenly, Narain Karthikeyan, Arjun Maini and Kush Maini descend, on to the humble Meco Kartopia, that supports and works as a gateway to bigger things in motorsports by offering a karting track, gets to see the return of its stars. Arjun Maini, grew into the top echelons after establishing and sustaining his fundamentals in karting. And here, he is once again, in Bengaluru, with a “new coach” that is none other than Narain Karthikeyan.

    Coming to the news, Arjun Maini, took part and won the first two rounds of the Indian National Rotax Max Karting Championship where Narain Karthikeyan’s Team NK Racing Academy made a dominant debut winning three podiums, including two victories.

    The team founded and operated by India’s first Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan made a strong revival in 2020 year winning multiple single seater Natonal Championships between 2006 and 2010. The CRG affiliated factory team using the KT2 chassis set the pace all through the two rounds which concluded here on Sunday. This was the first front row lockout for CRG under the senior category in the championship in India.

    CRG, the Italian Kartng giant have previously supported several Formula One drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Nico Rosberg and many more in their karting days.

    The team ran an array of talented drivers led by rapid LMP2 and former F2 Driver Arjun Maini with his brother Kush Maini, Britsh F3 championship Runner-up. The team also ran academy rookie drivers Divy Nandan and David Ryan, who were getting stronger throughout the weekend and made a remarkable impression with their performance. Sohil Shah, the Natonal Novice cup champion was the reserve driver for the team who also had an impressive run during Round 2 of the championship.

    The weekend started with a bang , the team seeing the pace in qualifying for Round 1 and locking out the front row by the Maini brothers and 9th and 11th for Divy Nandan and David Ryan respectively. It was a very similar story in the Round 2 of the championship where a remarkable performance by Arjun Maini led to him taking the top step in the championship with the exception being,

    Sohil Shah brought in place for Kush Maini. The team also took a significant lead in the team and constructors championship as the result.

    NK Racing Academy is proudly supported by Usha International, Exgel Motorsport and Turtle Wax.

  • 4w Racing: Indian National Racing Champions 2020

    4w Racing: Indian National Racing Champions 2020

    Chennai, 21 Dec 2020: List of National Champions of 2020 in MRF fmsci Indian National Racing Championship as declared on 21 Dec 2020 through the Media Officer, MMSC after final audited results of the last round at 3.30pm

    INDIA In F1, provides here, for ready reference, a list of all the National champions of 2020 season in all the disciplines which are officially honoured with the status of National Championships by the Federation of Indian Motor Sports Clubs in India.

    National Racing Championship

    Pro-Stock 301-400cc – Rider: KY Ahamed (Chennai, TVS Racing). Team: TVS Racing. Manufacturer: TVS.

    Pro-Stock 165cc Open – Rider: Jagan Kumar (Chennai, TVS Racing). Team: TVS Racing. Manufacturer: TVS.

    Novice (Stock 165cc) – Rider: Mohan Babu (Chennai, Privateer). Team: Sparks Racing. Manufacturer: Yamaha

    Girls (Stock 165cc) – Rider: Anne Jennifer (Chennai, Sparks Racing). Team: Gusto Racing. Manufacturer: Yamaha.

    One-Make EVENTS (These two are support events which does not enjoy a National Championship status):

    TVS Open: Abhishek Vasudev (Bengaluru). Novice: Navaneeth Kumar (Puducherry). Girls: Jagruti Kiran Penkar (Kalyan). Media: Zaran Mody.

    Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup – Open (NSF 250R): Sarthak Chavan (Pune). Novice (CBR 150R): Shyam Sundar (Chennai).

    List release by MMSC Media Officer after correction on Monday. This list supersedes all other published before.

  • Champ Ahamed’s radiator is legal: Pro-Stock 301-400cc category

    Champ Ahamed’s radiator is legal: Pro-Stock 301-400cc category

    Chennai, 21 Dec 2020: TVS Racing’s KY Ahamed from Chennai was declared rider champion in the premier Pro-Stock 301-400cc category of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2020 which concluded at the MMRT, on Sunday.

    The result was withheld last evening due to a protest questioning the legality of a part (radiator) used in Ahamed’s motorcycle. The Race Direction, following a scrutiny of the vehicle, turned down the protest, declaring the part (radiator) legal and that the modification was in line with the prescribed technical regulations.

    Chennai-based Ahamed, 23, who had two wins, finished with a tally of 121 points in the championship, just five ahead of Bengaluru’s Anish Damodar Shetty (Race Concepts). Shetty, 26, had four wins in eight starts, but drew blank in two races in the final round which cost him dear.

    The list of National champions of 2020 season:

    Pro-Stock 301-400cc – Rider: KY Ahamed (Chennai, TVS Racing). Team: TVS Racing. Manufacturer: TVS.

    Pro-Stock 165cc Open – Rider: Jagan Kumar (Chennai, TVS Racing). Team: TVS Racing. Manufacturer: TVS.

    Novice (Stock 165cc) – Rider: Mohan Babu (Chennai, Privateer). Team: Sparks Racing. Manufacturer: Yamaha

    Girls (Stock 165cc) – Rider: Anne Jennifer (Chennai, Sparks Racing). Team: Gusto Racing; Manufacturer: Yamaha.

  • Jagan, the bike racing hero crowned National champion for 9th time

    Jagan, the bike racing hero crowned National champion for 9th time

    Chennai, 20 Dec 2020: Humble and lanky, Jagan Kumar is a giant in the Indian Racing scene. On Sunday, he added one more National title to his glittering collection when he swept to title triumph in the Pro-Stock 165cc Open category in the second and final round of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2020 concluded at the MMRT, here on Sunday.

    Another, Chennai youngster Mohan Babu topped the Novice (Stock 165cc) class to win his maiden National Championship.

    Jagan, 31, picked up his ninth National title, including the 125cc in 2009 and eight in the 165cc Open class. For Babu, a 21-year old Purchase Executive in a Chennai firm, it was his maiden National title. Another Chennai racer, Ann Jennifer had won the Girls title on Saturday.

    The championship results in the Pro-Stock 301-400cc category are withheld following a technical protest which was subsequently thrown out. However, the decision has been appealed and a final verdict is awaited. (Editor’s note: Appeal was rejected and Ahamed was declared champion on 21st Dec)

    Jagan, following two consecutive wins this weekend, led team-mate KY Ahamed by four points going into Race-4 today. “I decided to take it easy and go for points instead. I am delighted to win the title after missing it last year,” said Jagan who had won the 165cc title seven times in a row (2012-18). He did just enough in the final race to finish fourth behind Mathana Kumar (Eneos Honda Erula Racing), last year’s champion Sarath Kumar (RACR Castrol Power Racing) and Ahamed. Jagan finished on 138 points to Ahamed’s 137.

    Earlier, a very nervous Babu, in just his second season at the National level, did just enough to top the Novice championship after his main rival, Bengaluru’s Ullas Santrupt (RACR Castrol Power Racing) drew blank in both the races today, thus squandering a three-point advantage.

    “It has been very tough for me this year, trying to put together funds for the championship. We took a loan and my office contributed a little. So, I managed to race. I spent a sleepless night thinking about today’s race. I was very nervous, but somehow managed to finish second. Today is the happiest day in my life,” said a highly emotional Babu who topped the category with 123 points, ahead of Ullas Santrupt (108).

    The results (Provisional – all 6 laps unless mentioned):

    Pro-Stock 301-400cc (Race-3): 1. Anish Damodar Shetty (Race Concepts) (11mins, 44.035secs); 2. Rajini Krishnan (RACR Castrol Power Racing) (11:44.322); 3. KY Ahamed (TVS Racing) (11:45.386). Race-4: 1. Rajini Krishnan (11:49.668); 2. Deepak Ravikumar (TVS Racing) (11:50.210); 3. Amarnath Menon (SpeedUp Racing) (11:50.321).

    Pro-Stock 165cc (Race-3): 1. Jagan Kumar (TVS Racing) (12:11.699); 2. KY Ahamed (TVS Racing) (12:15.860); 3. S Mathana Kumar (Eneos Honda Erula Racing) (12:15.937). Race-4 (5 laps due to delayed start): 1. S Mathana Kumar (10:39.908); 2. Sarath Kumar (RACR Castrol Power Racing) (10:44.093); 3. KY Ahamed (10:45.776).

    Novice (Stock 165cc, Race-4): 1. Navaneeth Kumar (Rulexx Rockers Racing) (13:08.467); 2. Mohan Babu P (Pvt, Chennai) (13:08.659); 3. Alwin Sundar (AS Motorsports) (13:09.147).

    TVS One-Make Championship – Open (RTR 310, Race-4): 1. Aditya Rao (Bengaluru) (11:46.052); 2. Vishwadev Muraleedharan (Coimbatore) (11:52.507); 3. Kishoar VS (Coimbatore) (11:55.485). Novice (RTR 200, Race-3): 1. Sudheer Sudhakar (Delhi) (13:16.909); 2. Teja TVR (Hyderabad) (13:17.317); 3. Navaneeth Kumar (Puducherry) (13:18.803). Race-4: 1. Navaneeth Kumar (13:19.991); 2. Sudheer Sudhakar (13:20.028); 3. Alwin Sundar (13:20.028). Media (5 laps): 1. Zaran Mody (11:26.925); 2. Anis Shaik (11:32.884); 3. Azaman Chothia (11:33.003).

    Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup – Open (NSF 250R, Race-2, 8 laps): 1. Sarthak Chavan (Pune) (14:59.511); 2. Samuel Martin (Bengaluru) (15:11.383); 3. Mohsin Peramban (Mamallapuram) (15:14.057). Novice (CBR 150, Race-2): 1. Shyam Sundar (Chennai) (13:30.923); 2. Ikshan Shanbhag (Satara) (13:31.338); 3. Vivek Rohit Kapadia (Belgaum) (13:31.410).

  • Lanusanen, proves a point with an old engine sans `Fitness Certificate’; wins INRC4

    Lanusanen, proves a point with an old engine sans `Fitness Certificate’; wins INRC4

    By David Bodapati

    Itanagar, 19 Dec. 20: Lanusanen Pongener, son of Mr T. Temsu Ao and member of Team Anumolu, powered by MRF, created history by winning a round in the Champions Yacht Club MRF Indian National Rally Championship to become the first Naga to earn the honours in the highly-competitive 33-year history of the National Championship, when he partnered with navigator Lokaranjan to win the INRC4 class in the first round which concluded here, near Chimpu and Hollangi, on Thursday.

    Driving a Honda City, shod on specially prepared MRF tyres, the talented driver, had a new navigator Lokaranjan HJ from Bengaluru, calling his pace notes and miraculously turned the tables in two-day National event. Lanusanen represents his home club Amam in Nagaland events and is also associated with NAMSA, the Nagaland Adventure and Motor Sports Club.

    Lanu, as he is popularly known in South India, where he took part in most of the rallies for the last three years, overcame many odds and difficulties and rose like a phoenix, to print the name of Nagaland in INRC Hall of Fame, the list adorned by some great drivers in India. Due to some technical issues for using a engine more than 15-years without proper ‘Fitness Certificate’, he was excluded from the `Start List’ which forced him to run from pillar to post to get a Stamp paper for an affidavit assuring ‘safety’, when all the cars were at the start of Special Stage 1. Miraculously, a `driver-friendly’ steward, allowed him to take the start after 48min and then Car Number 30, became the winning car in his class. INRC4 is the entry class of the 4 categories in the national championship but above Gypsy Challenge and Arunachal Cup. In the second round that concluded on Dec 20, Lanu finished fourth to lead the championship in INRC4 in the current standings.

    Lanusanen, left, and co-driver Lokaranjan from Bengaluru with the trophies in Itanagar on 19 Dec 2021. Photo by arrangement/CYC release

    He successfully completed the two night stages of Round 1 on the highway, and was second in the standings at the end of Day 1, when his co-driver, Lokaranjan HJ from Bengaluru, sensed victory and advised him to be patient as they were in with a Podium chance. And with about 4km before the flying finish of the last Special Stage on Day 2 on Dec 17, the Class leader Mujeeb fell on the wayside, leaving Lanu and Lokranjan, deserving winners of Round 1 INRC4.

    The first two rounds were held back-to-back with a day’s rest, and Lanusanen, behind the wheel of a Honda City, put Nagaland in the Indian map of Car Rallying, winning against all odds and even without his regular navigator Amrit from Coorg in Karnataka, and after finding that his tyres were wobbling on the way to the start and many other technical issues. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,’’ he quipped sporting a smile and pointing to the slogan on the walls of the Chimpu Parade camp which hosted the cars as Service Park. He was able to make it to the stage on time as the rally was stopped to take a pregnant lady to the hospital.

    “Only now I got a sponsor through the hard work of promoter Vamsi Merla. He persuaded a Telugu NRI from USA, and my Tyres from MRF and all the expenses for transporting the car and service of the car. So from AP to AP (Andhra to Arunachal), for a driver from Nagaland and co-driver from Bengaluru by a sponsor from USA, mine is a unique winning story of integrating the seven sisters into the mainland through sport,’’ said Lanu.

    “The people of Nagaland and all the North East have many talents and champions but we are not included in the mainstream. Time has come to build bridges and change it by showcasing huge talents and skills. I feel very proud to win this round despite all the confusion, anger and frustration my co-driver made me relax and taught me how to be patient. I thank Champions Yacht Club for identifying me as potential talent, MRF for specialised tarmac tyres and specially Mr Anumolu Ramakrishna, my sponsor, who blindly believed in my capabilities even though we never met. I am eager to meet him in the next round in Bengaluru or Hampi,’’ concluded Lanu.

    Nagaland Adventure and Motor Sports Association president Ruguo Desmo Kesiezie said: “Lanu is the first from our state to take part in the National Rally events. Though we have local rallies, they are not part of the Nationals. We are proud of his achievement and hope to produce many more drivers from the state. We also have some riders and drivers in the National Racing in Chennai but Lanu is the first rally driver to win a round in the nationals in INRC4 class.’’

  • Anish Shetty clinches top honours on Day 2: MMSC Bike Racing Nationals

    Anish Shetty clinches top honours on Day 2: MMSC Bike Racing Nationals

    Chennai, 12 Dec 2020: Anish Damodar Shetty of Race Concepts, a fitness trainer from Bengaluru, pulled off a brilliant tactical win in the premier Pro-Stock 301-400cc class race in the first round of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship at the MMRT in Irungattukottai, near here on Saturday.

    Biding his time, Shetty, starting fifth on the grid, made a strong move in the second half of the six-lap race to finished ahead of a strong TVS Racing combination of multiple champion Jagan Kumar and defending champion Deepak Ravikumar who raced nursing an injured knee following a crash during practice session earlier in the week.

    Equally impressive winner today was TVS Racing’s KY Ahamed who held off Eneos Honda Erula Racing riders Mathana Kumar and Rajiv Sethu, in the Pro-Stock 165cc category. Sethu, the Race-1 winner yesterday, could not capitalise on a pole-position start. Ahamed’s victory somewhat compensated for the absence of team-mate and multiple champion Jagan Kumar whose bike stalled on the out-lap before the race.

    Elsewhere, local challenger Aravind Selvam (Rulexx Rockstar Racing) won a tight race in the Novice (Stock 165cc) class while Ann Jennifer (Sparks Racing), also from Chennai, and winner of yesterday’s Race-1, scored another dominant win for a grand double in the Girls (Stock 165cc) category. The race was reduced to three laps following a red flag stoppage due to a crash.

    Bengaluru’s Abhishek Vasudev today roared to victory in both the Open category races of the TVS One-Make Championship organised by the MMSC for a fine treble following his win in Race-1 yesterday while Navneeth Kumar from Puducherry completed a double in the Novice class of the same championship.

    Pune’s Sarthak Chavan, all of 14 years, became the youngest winner of the weekend when he streaked to victory in the Open (NSF 250R) class of the Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup.

    The results (Provisional – all 6 laps unless mentioned):

    National Championship:

    Pro-Stock 301-400cc (Race-2): 1. Anish Damodara Shetty (Race Concepts) (11mins, 51.346); 2. Jagan Kumar (TVS Racing) (11:54.613); 3. Deepak Ravikumar (TVS Racing) (11:54.705).

    Pro-Stock 165cc (Race-2): 1. KY Ahamed (TVS Racing) (12:17.204); 2. S Mathana Kumar (Eneos Honda Erula Racing) (12:17.281); 3. Rajiv Sethu (Eneos Honda Erula Racing) (12:17.344).

    Novice (Stock 165cc, Race-2): 1. Aravind Selvam (Rulexx Rockers Racing) (13:05.564); 2. Mohan Babu P (Pvt, Chennai) (13:05.743); 3. Seshadri S (Sparks Racing) (13:06.196).

    Girls (Stock 165cc, Race-2, 3 laps): 1. Ann Jennifer (Sparks Racing) (06:40.064); 2. Lani Zena Fernandez (Gusto Racing) (06:48.619); 3. Rakshitha Dave (Gusto Racing) (07:02.282).

    TVS One-Make Championship (Open, Race-2): 1. Abhishek Vasudev (Bengaluru) (11:50.689); 2. Anand R (Chennai) (11:52.682); 3. Vysakh Sobhan (Cherthala) (11:56.357). Race-3: 1. Abhishek Vasudev (11:51.663); 2. Anand R ((11:54.698); 3. Aditya Rao (Bengaluru) (11:56.604).

    Novice (Race-2): 1. Navneeth Kumar (Puducherry) (13:23.998); Mohan Babu (Chennai) (13:27.416); 3. Alwin Sundar (Chennai) (13:27.961).

    Girls (Race-1, 5 laps): 1. Jagruthi Kiran Penkar (Kalyan) (11:36.074); 2. Arpitha VM (Mangaluru) (11:36.085); 3. Jagathishree Kumaresan (Chennai) (11:41.206). Race-2 (5 laps): 1. Jagathishree (11:35.169); 2. Jagruthi Kiran Penkar (11:35.182); 3. Arpitha (11:35.630).

    Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup: Open (NSF 250R, Race-1): 1. Sarthak Chavan (Pune) (11:13.344); 2. Kavin Quintal (Chennai) (11:13.696); 3. Varoon Sadasivam (Chennai) (11:20.728).

    Novice (CBR 150, Race-1): 1. Shyam Sundar (Chennai) (13:40.109); 2. Prakash Kamat (Bokaro) (13:40.619); 3. Vivek Rohit Kapadia (Belgaum) (13:49.088).