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Arjun Balu sets National record for saloon cars on way to his10th National title
Chennai, 12 Feb. 2022: Celebrated racing driver Arjun Balu of Coimbatore, driving an amazing Race Concepts Honda City VTech tuned by Joel Joseph of Bengaluru lit up the Madras Race Track with a stunning Indian record in the Qualifying session and went on to post an easy victory to clinch his tenth Indian National title on the second day of the three-day fourth and final round of the MRF MMSC fmscil Indian National Car Racing Championship 2021 at the renamed Madras Race Track, about 40 km from here, on Saturday.
It was a mixed day of skilled experience and youthful exuberance at the Madras Motor Sports Club promoted Car Racing Nationals as another teenager Suriya Varathan, also from Coimbatore notched up, a hard-fought victory with a display of his maturity as a driver and kept at bay an advancing Shahan Ali Mohsin. Meanwhile, championship leader Chirag Ghorpade finished third, losing three points of his lead to Mohsin. The later two are fighting for the MRF F1600 title with two races still remaining in the season on Sunday. Fahad Kutty also clinched the Saloon cars title in the one-make Toyota Etios series with a race to spare as his team Redline Racing dominated the day. The 18-year old Varathan is a former Karting National champion.
Thus, Balu, the experienced racing ace, dubbed as the ‘Gentleman of Indian Motorsports’ proved once again that one need not indulge in dirty racing to win a title. He may have lost many a deserving National Championship to such tactics in the past but the clean-and-safe driver whose dedication and sincerity stood him in good stead all these decades in sport, notched up his 10th National Championship crown winning the premier Indian Touring Cars (ITC) class Championship and the in the process the Arjun-Joel magic combination broke another National record for four-door cars. Amit Arora of Madras Motor Sports Club confirmed the circuit record set today by Arjun Balu in saloon cars during the qualifying session. Arjun timed the fastest lap 1min 49.023seconds.
Arjun Balu who made his motorsports debut in 1992, started in Indian National Rally Championship with a Gypsy in 1994 and matured into a multi-faceted motorsport personality bringing laurels both for the country and himself, in both racing and rallying.
Balu, the 47-year old defending champion, qualified for pole in the morning by setting a lap record of one minute, 49.023 seconds in a Honda City, chalked up his fifth win of the season beating his own circuit record of 1:49.860 set in Feb 2020.
On Saturday, another impressive drive came from Nellore’s Viswas Vijayaraj (DTS Racing) who won the Formula LGB 1300 race in style, ahead of two Momentum Motorsport rivals, championship leader Tijil Rao from Bengaluru and local ace Deepak Ravikumar. Teenager Tijil consolidated his position on the leaderboard and requires only 12 points from the last race to be run on Sunday, to clinch the title in this category.
Meanwhile, Mumbai’s 38-year old Fahad Kutty (Redline Racing) recorded his fourth win of the season in the MRF Saloon Cars (Toyota Etios) category to seal the championship in this class. His team-mate Anand Prasad from Chennai, returning to active racing after a 14-year break, took the honours in the second race of the day.
Ghaziabad’s Anmol Singh Sahil roared to his second consecutive win in the Volkswagen Polo category, but Sandeep Kumar (Chennai), with a third place finish behind Pune’s Oshan Kothadiya, continues to lead the championship, enjoying a healthy 61-point advantage with two more races to be run on Sunday.
Varathan drove brilliantly in the eight-lap MRF F1600 race starting from pole despite being constantly harried by Agra youngster Shahan Ali Mohsin and Bengaluru’s Chirag Ghorpade. He not only survived the close attention but also a Safety Car period following an on-track incident, which left the drivers with a three-lap sprint to the finish. “I had won the first race of the season, but suffered a crash thereafter which shook my confidence. However, I had some good practice and test sessions in the car and managed to put it all together today,” said Varathan who is currently placed third in the championship behind Shahan Ali and Chirag Ghorpade.
Balu, on the other hand, left nothing to chance as he was quick off the line from pole and built up a massive lead for a comfortable win. “It is certainly great to win the championship. It has been a very challenging season as the team had to deal with a lot of issues. However, I am happy at the way the car performed for which I thank the entire Race Concepts team for working on it for long hours. And yes, the record lap in the qualies was as satisfying,” said Balu who moved to 79 points for an insurmountable lead over his nearest rival, Hyderabad’s Jeet Jhabakh, with a maximum of 12.5 points on offer in the final race of the season.
Provisional results (all 8 laps unless mentioned):
MRF Formula 1600 (Race-1): 1. Suriya Varathan (Coimbatore) (17mins, 29.252secs); 2. Shahan Ali Mohsin (Agra) (17:29.511); 3. Chirag Ghorpade (Bengaluru) (17:30.188).
Indian Touring Cars (Race-1): 1. Arjun Balu (Race Concepts, Coimbatore) (15:16.979); 2. Jeet Jhabakh (Rayo Racing, Hyderabad) (15:25.150); 3. Ishaan Dodhiwala (Rayo Racing, Hyderabad) (15:26.345).
Indian Junior Touring Cars (Race-1): 1. Varun Anekar (Race Concepts, Bengaluru) (15:50.484); 2. Hatim Shabbir Jamnagarwala (Performance Racing, Chennai) (16:18.581); 3. K Srinivas Teja (Performance Racing, Chennai) (16:25.152).
Super Stock (Race-1): 1. RP Raja Rajan (Performance Racing, Chennai) (16:13.456); 2. Deepak Ravikumar (Performance Racing, Chennai) (16:13.947); 3. Rithvik Thomas (Race Concepts, Bengaluru) (16:15.609).
Formula LGB 1300 (Race-1): 1. Viswas Vijayaraj (DTS Racing, Nellore) (15:22.116); 2. Tijil Rao (Momentum Motorsports, Bengaluru) (15:22.553); 3. Deepak Ravikumar (Momentum Motorsports, Chennai) (15:23.275).
Volkswagen Polo (Race-1): 1. Anmol Singh Sahil (Ghaziabad) (15:58.466); 2. Oshan Kothadiya (Pune) (15:58.852); 3. Sandeep Kumar (Chennai) (15:59.430).
MRF Saloon Cars (Toyota Etios) Race-1: 1. Fahad Kutty (Redline Racing, Mumbai) (16:39.303); 2. Anand Prasad (Redline Racing, Chennai) (16:39.677); 3. Justin Singh (Redline Racing, Delhi) (16:46.523). Race-2 (10 laps): 1. Anand Prasad (Redline Racing, Chennai) (20:59.670); 2. Angad Matharoo (Redline Racing, Chandigarh) (21:05.286); 3. Zahan Commissariat (Redline Racing, Mumbai) (21:08.907).
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Agra teenager Shahan Ali Mohsin dominates practice sessions
Chennai, 11 Feb. 2022: Shahan Ali Mohsin, the 17-year old from Agra, eyeing the title in the MRF F1600 category, dominated both the Free Practice sessions to set early pace as the fourth and final round of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Car Racing Championship 2021 got underway at the MMRT, here on Friday.
Trailing championship leader Chirag Ghorpade (Bengaluru) by 13 points, Shahan posted a best lap of 01 minute, 39.541seconds in FP-1 and then bettered it with a 01:39.340 in the second session ahead of the triple-header to be run over the next two days.
Overall second quickest in this premier category was Bengaluru’s Rishon Rajeev in 01:39.378. The three races this weekend promise to be high on thrill and excitement as the top seven drivers were covered by less than a second in the two practice sessions.
Defending champion in the premier Indian Touring Cars category, Arjun Balu (Race Concepts) from Coimbatore, posted the fastest lap of 01:50.074 in the morning’s FP-1 and followed it up with a 01:50.762 in the second outing later in the day.
Also topping the time charts was Bengaluru’s Tijil Rao (Momentum Motorsport) who clocked a best lap of 01:51.909 over two sessions in the Formula LGB 1300 where he heads the championship.
Chennai’s RP Raja Rajan (Performance Racing) was the quickest overall in the Super Stock category (01:57.643) as was Bengaluru’s Varun Anekar (Race Concepts) in the Indian Junior Touring Cars class (01:56.868).
Pratik Sonawane from Pune, lying ninth in the championship and trailing leader Sandeep Kumar (Chennai) by 100 points, topped the combined practice sessions in the Volkswagen Polo category with a hot lap of 01:56.625. It bettered Sandeep Kumar’s best of 01:56.806 posted in FP-1.
Chennai’s Anand Prasad, returning to active racing after a break, was the quickest in the MRF Saloon Cars (Toyota Etios) category with a best lap of 02:03.423 which he clocked in FP-2 to improve on Delhi-based Justin Singh’s 02:04.932 in FP-1.
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Sensational Mads Ostberg leads Qatar rally after Day 1
LOSAIL (Qatar), 11 Feb 2022: Norwegian driver Mads Østberg delivered a stunning performance on his first appearance at the Qatar International Rally to open up a 12.2-second lead after six gravel special stages on Friday.
Competing in the southern Gulf region and the State of Qatar for the first time, the Škoda Fabia R2 evo driver belied his lack of experience and teamed up effortlessly with Austrian co-driver Ilka Minor for the first time to win four of the day’s six stages.
“I don’t know what to say,” said Østberg. “This is a brand new experience for me. I felt more and more comfortable through the day. I guess the approach we have had has been quite correct. It’s not been easy and, for me, the more difficult part starts tomorrow when we open the road. We discussed if we should play some tactics and we decided not to. We are here to learn and we might as well learn by opening the desert. I have been lucky enough not to have any issues today but I am not saying anything until I am at the end.”
Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah is bidding for a 16th win on home gravel but faces his stiffest ever test on Saturday. He and French co-driver Mathieu Baumel delivered a solid performance without problems to hold second overall.
“This will be good for us for tomorrow with Mads opening the road,” said Al-Attiyah. “We can push. It’s important that we finished today without any problems. We are quite happy. Kris (Meeke) will have a good line tomorrow. He has nothing to lose and will push. For me, it is important to win and score maximum points for the championship.”
Andorra-based Ulsterman Kris Meeke showed a formidable turn of speed to win the first two stages and lead after the opening loop. But an unfortunate roll at the start of SS4 dented his chances. Meeke and co-driver Chris Patterson recovered well to finish the leg in fifth overall.
The former WRC star said: “First hairpin right of the stage. It was a junction and I came in, hand braked it in and I just caught the rut. I thought I had it, balanced it on two wheels but, unfortunately, it went over. We had to wait for spectators to push us back and I had to get out of the car. The car is fine. We’ll hang in there. You never know. Punctures on this rally can happen. Two fastest times today. It’s been enjoyable. It’s just a pity….a silly hairpin right. It’s nice out there. We will continue.”
Qatar’s Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari and Australian co-driver Dale Moscatt benefited from Meeke’s problems and rounded off the podium places in their Škoda. The 2012 event winner said: “Good, second loop was better. We are trying our best but it is not easy and we are far away from not driving for a long time. But we are happy.”
Khaled Al-Suwaidi and Hugo Magalhães were classified in fourth place and Oman’s Abdullah Al-Rawahi delivered a measured performance to hold sixth in his Škoda.
Al-Rawahi said: “Quite happy, We are not quite used to stages which are fast. It was quite tricky in the first run. But we are getting used to it and we are getting used to the car as well. It is a new car for me. Tomorrow is another day. I think it will be even more tough than today. It is more rough, so we see how it goes.”
Kuwait’s Meshari Al-Thefiri was the class of the MERC2 field in his seventh-placed Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. The multiple winner of the showroom category won all six stages to take a lead of 4min 53.2sec over Oman’s Zakariya Al-Aamri into the night halt.
MERC2 series leader Ihab Al-Shorafa and fellow Jordanian Issa Abu Jamous rounded off the top 10 and held third and fourth in MERC2. Qatar’s Mohammed Al-Attiyah held 11th and Edith Weiss celebrated 30 years of participating in the event in 12th.
Hamed Al-Wahaibi’s rally ended prematurely after he left the track at speed, clouted the front of the Fabia and sustained radiator and engine damage. The Omani said: “I lost the road about four times. The first time I lost it over a jump, I went straight. I couldn’t see it. I hit a bump and we damaged the radiator and we continued and lost the road again. We didn’t have a warning to the end of the stage. We were leaking, leaking, leaking. That’s what happened. I guess it’s not meant to be. Maybe I need more cautious recce and notes.”
All three entrants in the Qatar National Rally suffered their own varied issues on the first loop of stages, but Ahmed Allouh and Henry Kahy were permitted to tackle the afternoon’s action.
Friday – as it happened
Two loops of three stages were on the agenda for the opening leg, starting with the short 8.89km Eraida stage.
After all the pre-event publicity and hype it was down to the serious business of delivering competitive stage times: Al-Attiyah opened his account with a run of 4min 49.4sec and an average speed of 110.6km/h, but an inspired Meeke shaved 4.8 seconds off that run by the Qatari. Østberg also edged in front of the Qatari and finished the special 1.3 seconds adrift of the flying Ulsterman. It was a positive start for the visiting WRC duo, as Al-Kuwari settled into fourth.
Only six of the eight RC2 cars escaped without drama. Hamed Al-Wahaibi left the track and clouted the front of the car and Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya struck a metal fence pole on the track and that became entangled around the front of the car and penetrated the engine bay. He managed to finish the stage with the loss of over a minute, but stopped on the road section after the special. Al-Thefiri cruised into a 49.9-second lead in MERC2, but Lebanon’s Henry Kahy retired from the National Rally with no turbo boost on his Can-Am.
The longer Al-Thakira stage (20.15km) followed and Meeke attacked again. He extended his lead over Al-Attiyah to 11.8 seconds, although the Qatari squeezed 1.2 seconds out of Østberg and remained in third place.
Al-Attiyah completed the loop with a time of 8min 16.8sec through Al-Khor but he was third quickest, with Østberg claiming the stage win by 2.6 seconds from Meeke. The second fastest time enabled the Ulsterman to take a 9.2-second advantage over his former team-mate into the Losail regroup. Al-Attiyah was 14.6 seconds off the lead.
The Qatari said: “I think we need to check the tracking system for the first three stages. I am sure some drivers are doing a different line. I am going really very fast. We know the level is very high between the three drivers but, just to be sure you know. To open the road, flat out, is not easy. We know where we lose. To open now, the second loop, should be better for us. No punctures, so we are happy.”
Meeke said: “Okay, the first two stages I knew a little bit from last year. They were the only two stages I had done and I had an on-board video, so I was able to see. That’s the only thing I had to watch and prepare for this year. In the third stage, I didn’t really have an idea and I didn’t drive that one last year. Look, it’s the first loop of stages and there is a long way to go. Honestly, there were a few times this morning where I got a bit disorientated and a bit lost in the stage in fifth gear. It’s still a huge challenge. You are in the desert, so everything looks the same. We have done the best job we could this morning, but Mads is also doing very well. I’m enjoying it.”
Østberg added: “I had no idea what to expect during the stages. All of them felt quite similar to me. One I am missing 12 seconds and the next one I am winning. It feels a bit strange but I am enjoying it to be honest. We just try to hang on and find a way. I was only lost twice so that’s not bad. I guess the second loop will be a lot of the same but maybe the second loop mighty me more difficult with everyone taking different lines. Even the cars in the front of me are following different lines. I just have to follow what I did on the recce. That’s all I can do.”
Al-Kuwari said: “We lost the road after the start of SS2. I lost eight or 10 seconds and then I came back to the road. Otherwise, everything was good. The tyres are working good. There are a lot of cuts in front of us. I cannot see who. But there are three cars in front of me and I can see some big cuts.”
Khalid Al-Suwaidi held fifth. He said: “I have a good start. But the soft tyre is very soft and the car is more moving. I think the next loop we will used hard tyre. I think it’s better for me. I try to push but I miss two corners in the third stage and second stage is difficult at the start. You cannot see the road. But the Qatar Rally is very difficult. We wanted to see what happened on the first three stages and we can push later.”
Al-Thefiri held a comfortable 2min 34.6sec cushion over Al-Aamri in the MERC2 battle, as the leaders left Losail and headed out to repeat the morning’s three stages.
Meeke dug into a section of soft sand and rolled his Fabia a short distance into the rerun of the Eraida stage, haemorrhaged 1min 27.9sec to Al-Attiyah and slipped down to fifth. Østberg was quickest again, shaving 1.1 seconds off his morning’s run. He moved into the outright lead and increased his advantage over Al-Attiyah to 6.6 seconds, as Al-Kuwari moved up to third overall.
Al-Attiyah was 5.5 seconds faster on his second run through Al-Thakira, but the previous stage roll had not affected Meeke and he continued with minimal damage to the Fabia to beat the Qatari by 1.4 seconds. Østberg was again quickest and his lead over the defending champion grew to 9.3 seconds.
The Qatari averaged 118 km/h through the last stage of the day but he still ceded 1.2 seconds to Meeke and 2.9 to the rally leader. Østberg duly returned to Losail with an overnight lead of 12.2 seconds.
Saturday
Tomorrow, teams tackle a further two loops of three graded gravel stages in the north of Qatar. Action gets underway with the 14.50km Al-Waab stage between Al-Mashrab and Umm Al-Qahab from 08.53hrs. The longer Umm Birka (24.54km) stage follows at 09.28hrs and precedes a 21.33km at Ras Laffan from 10.20hrs.
Competitors then return to the Losail Circuit for a regroup and service before the three specials are repeated at 13.03hrs, 13.38hrs and 14.30hrs. The post-event press conference and podium ceremony will then take place from 18.20hrs onwards.
2022 Qatar International Rally – positions after SS6 (unofficial):
1. Mads Østberg (HUN)/Ilka Minor (AUT) Škoda Fabia R2 evo 46min 08.5sec
2. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Mathieu Baumel (AND) Volkswagen Polo GTI 46min 20.7sec
3. Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (QAT)/Dale Moscatt (AUS) Škoda Fabia R2 evo 47min 14.6sec
4. Khaled Al-Suwaidi (QAT)/Hugo Magalhães (PRT) Škoda Fabia R2 evo 47min 25.8sec
5. Kris Meeke (AND)/Chris Patterson (IRL) Škoda Fabia R2 evo 47min 31.4sec
6. Abdullah Al-Rawahi (OMN)/Ata Al-Hmoud (JOR) Škoda Fabia R2 evo 48min 19.4sec
7. Meshari Al-Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser Al-Kuwari (QAT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 54min 05.1sec
8. Zakariya Al-Aamri (OMN)/Mohammed Al-Aamri (OMN) Subaru Impreza 58min 58.3sec
9. Ihab Al-Shorafa (JOR)/Yousef Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 1hr 03min 27sec
10. Issa Abu Jamous (JOR)/Emad Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 1hr 05min 56.1sec
11. Mohammed Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Savvas Laos (CYP) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 1hr 08min 31.8sec
12. Edith Weiss (QAT)/Serena Mattivi (ITA) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 1hr 08min 44.2sec
(note: entry nationalities determined by competition licence as per regulations)
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Formula 1 announces it will race in Bahrain until 2036
Bahrain, 11 Feb. 2022: Formula 1 confirmed that Bahrain will stay on the F1 calendar until 2036 inclusive following the agreement with the promoter, The Bahrain Internationl Circuit, to extend the contract between both parties.
The Bahrain Grand Prix has been a brilliant race on the F1 calendar since 2004 and hosted two races in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022 it will be the opening race of the season and has become a favourite with all the fans, drivers, and the teams.
The incredible facilities at the circuit for both racing and the fans have recently undergone further investment to enhance the fan experience. Alongside this the promoter has already announced significant actions to increase the environmental sustainability of the event with all energy used by the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in 2022 coming from sustainable energy sources, meeting the BIC’s needs throughout the race weekend, and beyond and supporting the Kingdom and Formula 1’s plan to have net zero carbon emissions by 2030. The plans will reduce the venue’s carbon footprint and generate significant savings on overall energy costs.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said:
“I am delighted we will be racing at the Bahrain International Circuit until 2036 where more incredible racing and excitement will be on show to thrill our fans. Since 2004 we have had some fantastic races in Sakhir and we cannot wait to be back there for the start of the 2022 championship as we begin a new era for the sport. Bahrain was the first country in the Middle East to welcome Formula 1 and it has a very special place in our sport, and I personally want to thank HRH Prince Salman and his team for their dedication and hard work throughout our partnership and look forward to the many years of racing ahead of us.”
Arif Rahimi, Chairman of Bahrain International Circuit, said:
“It has been a great honour for Bahrain to host Formula 1 since 2004 and we are delighted that this new commitment cements our place on the calendar well into the future. Our commitment to motorsport has always been a long-term initiative and I thank Stefano and his team at F1 for putting their faith in us to continue to deliver the pinnacle of global racing at The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East.”
Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of Bahrain International Circuit, said: “After 18 years of F1 racing, we are proud to have played a part in F1’s rich history and we now looking forward to continuing to build on that heritage well into the future. The growth and interest in Motorsport in Bahrain and the Middle East has significant momentum, with a new generation of fans embracing our great sport and we look forward to continuing that progress.”Khalid Al Rumaihi, CEO of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company “Mumtalakat”, said: “As an integral part of our diversified portfolio, we are proud to witness the successful trajectory of Bahrain International Circuit. Building on Bahrain’s significant motorsport heritage, BIC has hosted major regional and international motorsports events such as the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. The extension of the Bahrain race to 2036 is a testament to the advanced infrastructure in the Kingdom and will contribute to its continued economic growth and value creation for both our shareholders and the people of Bahrain.”
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ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns to Mexico
MEXICIO CITY, Mx. 10 February 2022 – Mexico City hosts Round 3 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship this Saturday (12 February) with fans returning to fill the grandstands and 22 drivers set to go flat out on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez track.
A perfect mix of long, fast straights and a technical infield section that passes right through the legendary Foro Sol stadium – packed with 40,000 fans creating Mexico City’s distinctive vibrant atmosphere – the long-standing host circuit is known for producing intense races and high drama. Fresh from a third placed finish in Round 2 and a strong opening weekend for his new team, ROKiT Venturi Racing’s Lucas di Grassi is one to watch in Mexico.
The Brazilian has made two trips to the top step in Mexico City, most recently in Season 5 after his first win in front of the Foro Sol two seasons earlier. Teammate Edo Mortara is looking to continue his fine opening weekend form and stay at the top of the drivers’ standings after winning the second of two races in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. Mortara’s win followed reigning World Champion Nyck de Vries’ victory in Round 1, as Mercedes-EQ immediately got to grips with the all-new Duels qualifying format.
De Vries and teammate Stoffel Vandoorne threw down the gauntlet with a formidable one-two finish in the opening race of the seaon. The German manufacturer sits just a point behind its ‘customer’ outfit in the Teams’ World Championship ahead of the trip to Mexico, with Mercedes power currently the benchmark.
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Chennai racer Sandeep Kumar raring to go: VW Polo Cup
Chennai, 10 Feb 2022: National racing champ Sandeep Kumar of Chennai has found his wonted form and is raring to go as he heads into the final round of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Racing Championship 2021 beginning here on Friday in the Polo Cup which acquired National status this year.
With a healthy lead in the Volkswagen Polo Cup, which was conferred the status of National Championship this year, the former champion and karting talent, is eager to turn his consistent performance into championship title, with three races scheduled for the final round at the 3.7-km clock-wise MMRT tarmac.
Sandeep is a former Volkswagen Polo R Pro Cup champion and also the VW awardee for the German Scirocco R Cup for two years. After that fruitful racing experience with the elite in Europe, the steady racer returned to India and entered formula racing, taking part in both the Forumala and Saloon cars with many podium finishes and wins and went on to win the LGB Formula 4 National Championship 2020 before the pandemic slowed down sporting activity.
Sandeep Kumar in action in Round 2 last month at the MMRT. This year he is back in the VW Polo cup and is firmly focused on winning the Championship with the final round scheduled to take place in Irungattukottai, near here. He is leading the Polo Cup title-race with 280 points ahead of second-place Saurav Bandopadhyay, who is on 226 followed by Avik Anwar (223) in third. The title fight is wide open with 156 points on offer from the three races in the final round.
“This year’s car is an amazing and I am enjoying the powerful car built by Volkswagen Motorsports India. The championship being a one-make and equipment same for everyone, it had added to the challenge and motivates me. Being in the leading group, my focus is firmly trained on driving safely and I am banking on my skills and hard work to deliver the final weekend in the Volkswagen Polo Cup,” said the seasoned driver, who garnered important points in every round.
The Chennai Corporate advocate, who is knowledgeable about the rules of the sport, feels that consistency and clean driving is important than always trying to go for the kill. “Winning is not always a goal, depending on where I qualify and the package I have for the day, I visualise and set realistic objectives for the day. I take it race by race, but my focus is always on consistent and steady driving where I attack corners and make moves only when I am safe and sure,” said the racing ace, who made his motorsports debut at Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore taking part in his first Rotax Max National karting championship in 2008.
Sandeep Kumar He finished the year as vice-champion. He not only remained the bridesmaid in karting but the year 2017 where he missed all the three championship titles he entered, changed his life. He became vice-champion despite fighting till the end in the MRF 1600, Formula LGB 4 and Vento Cup, that year. But the gritty driver, sat down made amends and improved his skills by dint of his hardwork and dedication which yielded results as he won the Formula LGB 4 championship in 2020. “It was a bad year and one of the lows in my career. But it also gave me a chance to review myself. I decided to make amends and acquired new skills. Now I make notes for every race, I visualise before the race with some quite moments for myself. I set the objectives taking all factors into consideration and focus on delivering my own targets. It has helped me break the block and I am in a much better position to for it,” revealed Sandeep, who loves his home track the MMRT near Chennai.
His ability to generate good pace and reliable race-craft got him good results in Round 1 and 2, as he proved steady and consistent. Despite slight hiccups in Round 3, he continued to log in crucial points after a tough qualifying and bad starting positions in the next three-race weekender where he climbed up the grid to rally back with podiums in all three races. “Overall, though I did not manage the top step, I was keen on getting steady points and three podiums from three races helped me garner enough points and save the championship lead. I am in an ideal and healthy position to go for the final dash and confident going into the final round,” concluded the karting mentor for many youngsters, who is also a popular Clerk of the Course for many Indian National Karting Championships and a practicing corporate lawyer from the Madras bar.
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Al-Attiyah, Meeke and Ostberg head for gripping showdown
Losail (Qatar), 9 Feb. 2022: Eight RC2/Rally2 cars will compete for glory in this weekend’s Qatar International Rally – a record number for a round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship – and Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah faces his fiercest ever test if he is to secure a 16th career success on his home rally.
Cars will be flagged off from the ceremonial start at the Losail Circuit from 19.30hrs on Thursday evening, as the international focus is drawn to what is likely to be a pulsating three-way battle between Al-Attiyah and his visiting WRC rivals, Kris Meeke and Mads Østberg, the latter competing in the southern Gulf region for the first time.
Add in the Qatari trio of Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Khaled Al-Suwaidi and Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya and the formidable Omani duo of Hamed Al-Wahaibi and Abdullah Al-Rawahi and the scene is set for an eight-way tussle for outright supremacy over a dozen gravel special stages on Friday and Saturday.
Škoda has strength in numbers with six Fabia R2 evos at the front of the field ready to do battle with Al-Attiyah’s Volkswagen Polo GTI and Al-Atya’s Ford Fiesta R5.
“It’s going to be a very interesting weekend and Mathieu and I are excited for it, focused and ready to go,” said Al-Attiyah. “The stages look great. They need to be respected as always. It’s easy to throw away time here by taking risks. We need to manage our pace where possible.”
Østberg added: “This is a completely new challenge for me with the desert rallies. I am ready. Two days of testing is done, the team and car is working well and Ilka (Minor) is doing a perfect job for me.”
Al-Attiyah is bidding for a record-breaking 18th MERC title and arrives at the start in Qatar with an eight-point lead in the series after his recent seventh win in Oman.
Al-Atya is his closest rival and Oman’s Abdullah Al-Rawahi is equal third in the series, 15 points adrift of Al-Attiyah after finishing seventh in Oman. Al-Wahaibi was sixth overall on his home event but is not registered for the regional series this year.
Al-Attiyah’s co-driver Mathieu Baumel will be starting from scratch in his bid for another title after missing out on the Oman Rally because of personal reasons.
Five drivers will be embroiled in their very own battle for MERC2 glory. Jordan’s Ihab Al-Shorafa holds an eight-point lead over Issa Abu Jamous, following his recent win in Oman, but the two Jordanians face the defending category champion, Meshari Al-Thefiri, on this occasion.
The Kuwaiti will compete in Qatar in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X before jetting off to next weekend’s Jordan Baja. He again teams up with Qatar’s Nasser Al-Kuwari in a bid to kick-start the defence of his title.
Qatar’s Mohammed Al-Attiyah and German female driver Edith Weiss will also compete in MERC2, the Qatari teaming up with experienced Cypriot co-driver Savvas Laos.
Former MERC3 winner Henry Kahy teams up with fellow Lebanese Carlos Hanna to head a three-car field in the Qatar National Rally. Like Kahy, Qatar’s Ahmed Allouh and Ahmad Al-Mohannadi will drive T3 lightweight prototype versions of the Can-Am Maverick X3 that are not eligible for the main FIA rally.
Tomorrow (Thursday), is a hectic and varied day for competitors, starting with scrutineering checks at the Losail Circuit from 07.00hrs to noon. After a driver’s briefing by rally officials, teams will be able to practice at rally speeds over a nearby shakedown stage between 14.30hrs and 16.30hrs.
Leading drivers will then attend the official pre-event press conference from 18.45hrs and the ceremonial start is scheduled for 19.30hrs at the Losail Circuit.
2022 Qatar International Rally – entry list:
1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Mathieu Baumel (FRA) Volkswagen Polo GTI
2. Kris Meeke (AND)/Chris Patterson (IRL) Škoda Fabia R2 evo
3. Mads Østberg (NOR)/Ilka Minor (AUT) Škoda Fabia R2 evo
4. Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (QAT)/Dale Moscatt (AUS) Škoda Fabia R2 evo
5. Abdullah Al-Rawahi (OMN)/Ata Al-Hmoud (JOR) Škoda Fabia R2 evo
6. Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya (QAT)/Ziad Chehab (LEB) Ford Fiesta R5
7. Meshari Al-Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser Al-Kuwari (QAT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
9. Khaled Al-Suwaidi (QAT)/Hugo Magalhães (PRT) Škoda Fabia R2 evo
10. Hamed Al-Wahaibi (OMN)/Tony Sircombe (NZL) Škoda Fabia R2 evo
11. Ihab Al-Shorafa (JOR)/Yousef Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
12. Issa Abu Jamous (JOR)/Emad Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
14. Mohammed Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Savvas Laos (CYP) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
15. Zakariya Al-Aamri (OMN)/Mohammed Al-Aamri (OMN) Subaru Impreza
16. Edith Weiss (QAT)/Serena Mattivi (ITA) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
2022 Qatar National Rally – entry list:
51. Henry Kahy (LEB)/Carlos Hanna (LEB) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3)
52. Ahmed Allouh (QAT)/Fares Allouh (QAT) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3)
53. Ahmad Al-Mohannadi (QAT)/Mubarak Al-Khelaifi (QAT) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3)
2022 FIA Middle East Rally Championship – standings after round 1:
Drivers:
1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) 39pts
2. Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya (QAT) 31pts
3. Ihab Al-Shorafa (JOR) 24pts
3. Abdullah Al-Rawahi (OMN) 24pts
5. Issa Abu Jamous (JOR) 20pts
6. Zakariya Al-Aamri (OMN) 3pts
Co-drivers:
1. Alba Sanchéz Gonzaléz (ESP) 39pts
2. Giovanni Bernacchini (ITA) 31pts
3. Yousef Juma (JOR) 24pts
3. Ata Al-Hmoud (JOR) 24pts
5. Emad Juma (JOR) 20pts
6. Mohammed Al-Aamri (OMN) 3pts
MERC2:
1. Ihab Al-Shorafa (JOR) 39pts
2. Issa Abu Jamous (JOR) 31pts
3. Zakariya Al-Aamri (OMN) 5pts
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Arjun Balu to rely on pure talent and skill to defend title
Chennai, 9 Feb. 2022: Veteran gentleman of motorsports Arjun Balu is raring to go and is looking to defend his National title in the prestigeous Indian Touring Cars class as four-wheeler competitors in other classes too are gunning for titles in the MRF MMSC fmsci National Car Racing Championship 2021, the fourth and final round to be held, near here, at the MMRT from February 11 to 13.
Despite myraid ugly tactics on the track, Arjun Balu won the National Championship last year after narrowly losing to similar tactics a year earlier in 2019. This year too, the gentle giant, withstood such dirty tricks to let his driving and skill talk on the track.
Drivers drive to win! But in ITC class a few of the “team drivers” have been driving to prevent a leading driver from winning. The class has seen some dirty driving in the last few years. Chennai’s Deepak Ravikumar of Performance Racing has sealed the National title in the Super Stock Class with a round to spare as he took an unbeatable lead after five wins from six starts. The championship in two other saloon cars classes – the Indian Touring Cars and Indian Junior Touring Cars – is still wide open. In the MRF 1600cc Class, Chirag Ghorpade will be looking to halt the advancing Shahan Ali Mohsin.
These youngsters, have made a mark in the premier MRF Formula 1600 category and title fight narrowed to these two teenagers. Bengaluru’s Chirag has 153 points (2 wins) and Shahan Ali Mohsin from Agra has rallied brilliantly after a bad weekend to garner 140 points with 4 wins. The two are best-placed to win the championship. However, Rishon Rajeev (110), also from Bengaluru, has an outside chance alond with Coimbatore’s K Suriyavarathan (105, one win). These two cannot be discounted since a maximum of 75 points are available from three races and it all depends on the day’s form besides other conditions.
Experienced Coimbatore driver Arjun Balu of Race Concepts, a private team will be fighting with VW factory-supported drivers. Balu heads the table in the ITC class and leads Rayo Racing’s Jeet Jhabakh by 18.5 points with a maximum of 25 points to be had from the double-header. Another Coimbatore racer, Charen Chandran is ahead of Chennai’s Hatim Shabbir Jamnagarwala of Performance Racing by 13.5 points in the Indian Junior Touring Cars (IJTC) class going into the final round.
In the Formula LGB 1300 category, the race for the title is poised on a knife-edge. Two Momentum Motorsport team-mates, Tijil Rao (85) from Bengaluru, Deepak Ravikumar (72), head the championship table, ahead of Nellore’s Viswas Vijayaraj (DTS Racing, 64), Ruhaan Alva (MSport, 59) from Bengaluru, and Kolkata racer Arya Singh (DTS Racing, 58), all having a realistic shot at the title with a maximum of 50 points to be won.
Chennai’s Sandeep Kumar and Fahad Kutty from Mumbai currently head the points table in the Volkswagen Polo and MRF Saloon Cars (Toyota Etios) categories, both of which are triple-headers.
Ajit Thomas, President of promoters Madras Motor Sports Club, said: “Due to the Covid-19 situation, we could not offer five rounds to the four-wheeler competitions, but the action thus far has been quite exciting with close races. Given the pandemic, it is still heartening that the response has been fairly good with many youngsters, after graduating from karting, are already making their presence felt at this level. And surely, the concluding round this weekend will throw up its share of excitement and surprises. We also salute our sponsors, MRF Tyres, for their unstinted support to the championship.”
There will be live streaming of the races on Facebook and the MMSC website.
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Arjun Maini to take part in Asian Le Mans for HRT
Dubai, 8 Feb. 2022: This season, Haupt Racing Team will compete in the Asian Le Mans Series for the first time. The team from Meuspath is set to line up with one Mercedes-AMG GT3 in all four of the series’ races. Alternating at the wheel of the #6 car, with its striking blue and yellow livery, will be Hubert Haupt (GER), Arjun Maini (IND) and Rory Penttinen (FIN). The first race of the season gets underway at 13:30 CET on Saturday, 12th February, at Dubai Autodrome.
The calendar for the Asian Le Mans Series comprises four races. The opening weekend in Dubai (12th to 13th February) sees the teams contest two four-hour races. One week later (19th to 20th February), the series moves to Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi for another two four-hour races.
This year’s field features 37 cars, 23 of which – more than ever before – will line up in the GT class. The teams will not only be battling it out for the title in the Asian Le Mans Series, but each class winner will also be rewarded with a starting place at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In Rory Penttinen, HRT has acquired a wealth of experience in the Asian Le Mans Series: The Finn started every one of the races in 2021, winning the Team and Driver titles in the LMP3 class. He will share the cockpit with team owner Hubert Haupt, with Arjun Maini being the third driver: Like Penttinen, the 24 years-old Indian, who drove in the DTM last year, will be making his race debut for Haupt Racing Team in Dubai.
Hubert Haupt, team owner Haupt Racing Team / HRT #6:
“I am already hugely looking forward to the Asian Le Mans Series. Four races in two weekends in the Emirates – it is going to be great. The series also offers us a good opportunity to get closer to the organisers, ACO. A start at the 24 Hours of Le Mans could be interesting for us in 2024.”
Arjun Maini, driver HRT #6:
“I am really pleased to be driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 again in the Asian Le Mans Series, and to be doing so for an established team like HRT. We have a strong line-up, so we will hopefully be able to produce some strong performances. I Have great memories of the tracks at Dubai and Abu Dhabi where I have driven in earlier Championships and am really looking forward to capitalise on my previous experiences of Endurance racing in Asia and Europe. ”
Rory Penttinen, driver HRT #6:
“I have very fond memories of the Asian Le Mans Series, as last year’s victory in the LMP3 class was one of my biggest successes as a racing driver. I would now like to repeat that in the GT class with Hubert and Arjun. With a bit of luck and a top performance, we can do it.”
Ulrich Fritz, Managing Director of Haupt Racing Team:“This is our first time competing in the Asian Le Mans Series, and we will be up against some strong opposition in the GT class. Despite this, we have high hopes, particularly as we have enjoyed great success at Dubai Autodrome in the past. We will work very hard to add to that success now.”
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Two-time winner Mohammed Al-Balooshi tops bumper motorcycle entry
Amman (Jordan), 8 Feb. 2022: Riders and Drivers from 20 nations are set to storm the 2022 Jordan Baja, organised by Jordan Motorsport from Tuesday which will culminate next weekend counting for the FIA World and Middle East Cups for Cross-Country Bajas and the FIM Bajas World Cup.
The Saudi Arabian duo of Yazeed Al-Rajhi and last year’s winner Yasir Seaidan top the FIA T1 category, where they line-up alongside Czech veteran Miroslav Zapletal and fellow Saudi Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri.
The fiercest competition is likely to come in the FIA T3 and T4 categories: 12 Can-Am Mavericks will contest the T3 lightweight prototype section and a further seven will line-up in T4.
Saudi Arabia’s Saleh Al-Saif may see himself as the pre-event favourite to win T3 but rivals from the UAE, Spain, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Portugal include Dania Akeel – the 2021 T3 World Champion in the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies – Fernando Alvarez, Filipe Nascimento, Pavel Silnov and Thomas Bell.
Kuwait’s Meshari Al-Thefiri will arrive in the Hashemite Kingdom straight from competing in this weekend’s Qatar International Rally. He will replace a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X for a less powerful Can-Am all-terrain vehicle and faces the likes of the experienced Dutchman Kees Koolen, Brazil’s Cristiano de Sousa, Lithuania’s Valeiša Egidijus and Spain’s Eduard Pons across some of the most spectacular and challenging terrain in Jordan’s world renowned Wadi Rum and Wadi Araba.
Twenty-three motorcycles, six quads and two SSVs will tackle the opening round of the FIM Bajas World Cup. At the head of the two-wheel field, two-time event winner Mohammed Al-Balooshi (2019 and 2021) lines up against the likes of local rider Abdullah Abu Aisha, Kuwait’s Abdullah Al-Shatti and additional bikers from Australia, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
Saudi Arabian riders dominated last year’s FIM Bajas World Cup and Haitham Al-Tuwaijri, Hani Al-Noumesi and Faisal Al-Suwayh top a six-strong field that also includes local entrant Saif Al-Abbadi on his Yamaha 450 YF.
Jordan Motorsport is also running a National status rally behind the main FIA Baja. A dozen crews have entered this category, with Al-Mashna Al-Shammeri leading the way in his Nissan Patrol from competitors representing Palestine, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Gaith Qubti, Al-Hassan Khatib and Hashem Kalbouneh represent the host nation.
The Jordan Baja will be based at the Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort, while the start and finish will take place at the Old Port in Aqaba City on the Red Sea.
Support for the 2022 Jordan Baja comes from Mountain Dew, Budget, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), Hala and Bliss FM.
