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Tag: MRF
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TVS Racing gears up for dominant start to MRF Mogrip 2w National Rally Championship
Indore, 3 May 2025: The fight for the crown in the 2025 season will be among the TVS teammates in the premier Pro-Expert class as defending champion Rajendra RE, Samuel Jacob and 2023 overall title holder Abdul Waheed Tanveer are expected to be top runners in the MRF Mogrip fmsci National Rally Championship (formerly 2w INRC) for two-wheelers which kicks off on Sunday in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Organized by AW Events and promoted by Godspeed Racing, the championship’s first round promises high-octane action, with TVS Racing poised to continue its legacy of dominance.
With a record entries of about 75 and with top stars in the country descending in Indore, the event is expected to throw high-octane action on Sunday. Some of the regulars in the lower classes like Amogh Nag, Naresh VS, Jatin Jain, Sanjay Somasekhar and Amin Pawde have entered in Class 2 and are expected to ride the top class KTM 450EXCF. Along with them newcomers like Mihaan Mudaliyar, Kousthubha M and lady rider Ishita Gupta are also ona the powerful KTM 450EXCF and with 10 entries, the Class 2 is expected to provide high competition for the riders and equally high thrills to the fans.
Hero MotoSports: Veteran Power in Class 4
Hero MotoSports has thrown its full weight behind Class 4 this season, fielding a formidable trio led by the experienced rally star Yuva Kumar, alongside talented riders T Arun and Karan Kumar. Known for his consistency and aggressive riding style, Yuva Kumar brings years of rallying expertise that will be key in navigating the competitive field. Arun and Karan, too, have proven their mettle in previous events and now join forces under the Hero banner to dominate Class 4. However, a stiff fight is expected from Sachin D and Banteilang Jyrwa of the TVS team, both on a TVS Apache, who can spoil the Hero party and start as favourites.
With Hero MotoSports opting out of the premier classes, TVS will not face any direct competition from them in the top-tier categories. However, the spotlight now shifts to the emerging VM Sports Foundation team, backed by Vamcy Merla, which is expected to challenge the veterans and shake up the leaderboard with fresh energy and determination. In this context, Hero’s focus on Class 4 signals a tactical move—aiming to sweep the podium in one of the most tightly contested categories of the season.
Yuva Kumar – The Veteran Leader
A stalwart of Indian motorsports, Yuva Kumar brings unmatched experience and skill to Hero MotoSports. With numerous podiums and a reputation for calm under pressure, he is widely respected in rally circles. His technical riding ability, especially in rough terrain, makes him the ideal lead rider for Hero’s Class 4 campaign. Yuva’s strategic mindset and mentorship are also key assets for his younger teammates.
T Arun – The Consistent Contender
Known for his smooth, controlled riding style and reliability, T Arun has steadily built his reputation across national rally events. A former podium finisher in multiple southern circuits, Arun is often praised for his technical discipline and ability to perform in high-pressure stages. In Hero MotoSports, he plays the perfect supporting role to Yuva, while being a serious podium threat himself.
Karan Kumar – The Young Gun
The youngest in the team, Karan Kumar brings raw speed and hunger to the Hero lineup. With a few breakthrough performances in regional rallies under his belt, Karan is seen as a rising star. Under the guidance of veterans like Yuva and Arun, he is expected to mature quickly and contribute crucial points in Hero’s push for Class 4 dominance.
TVS Racing: A Legacy of Excellence
TVS Racing, the factory team of TVS Motor Company, enters the new season with a remarkable track record. The team has secured multiple consecutive titles in various categories of the INRC, showcasing their technical prowess and the exceptional skills of their riders.
Star-Studded Lineup
Leading the charge is Rajendra RE, the reigning Super Bike Pro Expert champion, known for his consistent performances and technical expertise. Joining him is Abdul Waheed Tanveer, who clinched victory in Round 2 of the 2024 season, demonstrating his competitive edge and determination and finally finishing runners up in 2024. He was the 2023 overall champion.
Samuel Jacob, another formidable contender from Udipi, has previously secured top positions in the Super Sport 260cc category, highlighting the depth of talent within the team.
Syed Asif Ali, the defending champion in the Scooter class is expected to dish out competitive stuff once again astride his TVS NTorq.
Aishwarya Pissay: Breaking Barriers
Aishwarya Pissay, India’s first female motorsport athlete to win a world title, continues to inspire. With multiple national titles under her belt, she remains a strong contender in the Ladies Class, aiming to add another championship to her impressive resume of six titles. She took a break and moved to a higher class, but is back and looking hungry to get one more title.
Anticipation Builds
As the engines rev up in Indore, all eyes are on TVS Racing to set the pace for the season. Their blend of seasoned champions and emerging talents positions them as the team to watch in the 2025 INRC.
Some top players
R.E. Rajendra is a distinguished Indian rally rider hailing from Shivamogga, Karnataka, and a prominent member of the TVS Racing team. With multiple national titles to his name, he has consistently showcased exceptional skill and determination in the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC).
2024: The Super Bike Pro-Expert defending champion (class 1)
2022: Super Bike Pro-Expert Champion (Class 1)
In the 2022 INRC season, Rajendra clinched the Super Bike Pro-Expert (Class 1) title, amassing 112 points. His dominance was evident as he secured victories in four consecutive rounds, even after a modest start with a fourth-place finish in Round 1 and a non-start in Round 2. His performance was further bolstered when his closest competitor, Abdul Wahid Tanveer, withdrew early in the final round, paving the way for Rajendra’s championship win.
2020: Group A Upto 500cc Class Winner
At the final round of the 2020 INRC held in Hampi, Karnataka, Rajendra secured the top position in the Group A Upto 500cc category, riding the TVS RTR 450 FX. This victory contributed to TVS Racing’s clean sweep across all categories that season.
2019: Overall INRC Champion
Demonstrating consistent excellence, Rajendra emerged as the overall INRC champion in 2019. His decisive win at the Rally De Mangaluru in Puttur, where he outpaced his nearest rival by over seven minutes, rendered the final round in Bengaluru inconsequential for the championship outcome.
2018: Super Sport (260cc) Group B Champion
In the 2018 season, Rajendra showcased his versatility by winning the Super Sport (260cc) Group B category, riding the TVS Apache RTR 200. His performance was instrumental in TVS Racing’s dominance that year, securing championships in four out of five categories.
Riding Style and Strengths
- Technical Proficiency: Rajendra’s ability to navigate diverse terrains with precision sets him apart.
- Consistency: His track record reflects a commitment to maintaining top performance throughout each season.
- Adaptability: Whether transitioning between bike classes or adjusting to varying race conditions, Rajendra exhibits remarkable adaptability.
Legacy and Impact
Rajendra’s journey from Shivamogga to national acclaim serves as an inspiration to aspiring motorsport enthusiasts across India. His achievements underscore the potential of talent nurtured through dedication and the support of teams like TVS Racing. But his goal of getting into Dakar is yet to be fulfilled, and he is determined to overcome the obstacles and continue to perform to the best of his ability.
Abdul Wahid Tanveer
Abdul Wahid Tanveer, a seasoned campaigner from Bengaluru, has been a cornerstone of TVS Racing since his debut in 2014. Specializing in rally and motocross disciplines, Tanveer has consistently delivered top-tier performances. Notably, he clinched the championship victory in 2023 with a splendid win in Round 2 that caught the eye. He showcased his prowess on challenging terrains. His international experience includes participation in the Panafrica Rally, representing India with distinction. Tanveer’s dedication and skill continue to make him a formidable contender in both national and international rally events. He is also the runner up in 2024
Aishwarya Pissay
Aishwarya Pissay, hailing from Bengaluru, has etched her name in history as the first Indian woman to win a world title in motorsports by clinching the FIM Bajas World Cup. Her journey began with circuit racing, securing titles in the Honda and TVS One Make Championships. Transitioning to rallying, she dominated the Indian National Rally Championship, winning six consecutive titles from 2017 to 2022. Despite facing setbacks, including a significant crash in the 2018 Baja Aragon Rally, Pissay’s resilience and determination have solidified her status as a trailblazer in Indian motorsports. She is back after a couple of years hiatus and begins as a strong favourite to win one more National title in Ladies class.
Samuel Jacob
Samuel Jacob, a dynamic rider from Udupi, has rapidly ascended the ranks in Indian rallying. Representing TVS Racing, he secured his first overall victory in the 2021 INRC season at the Rally of Chikmagalur. Continuing his momentum, Jacob dominated the 2024 season opener at the MRF Rally of Nashik, leading from the first stage and fending off challenges from seasoned teammates. This round win provided him an A seed ranking. His consistent performances and competitive spirit mark him as a rising star in the rallying circuit.
Sinan Francis
Sinan Francis, a veteran in the Indian rally scene, boasts a career spanning over two decades. A four-time national champion, Francis has demonstrated versatility and tenacity across various competitions. His notable achievements include a runner-up finish in the 2022 Rally of Himalayas and a strong performance in the K-1000 Rally, where he secured second place in the Superbike Expert class. Francis’s enduring presence and consistent performances underscore his dedication to the sport and his role as a mentor to emerging talents.
Ishita Gupta – Rising Star in Indian Off-Road Rally Racing
Ishita Gupta is an emerging talent in India’s off-road rally racing scene, making her mark in the MRF MOGRIP FMSCI National Rally Championship. Competing as a privateer, she has showcased commendable performances, notably in Round 3 of the 2023 season, where she participated riding a GasGas motorcycle. Her dedication and skill are evident in her competitive timings across various stages of the rally.
Beyond her racing endeavors, Ishita plays a pivotal role in the motorsports community. She was instrumental in managing race affairs for fellow racer Jatin Jain during the Safari 1000 Rally in South Africa in 2024, highlighting her multifaceted involvement in the sport.
Vamcy Merla Sports Foundation
Nataraj R – Class 1;
Naresh VS – Class 2;
Pinkesh Thakkar – Class 3;
Abdul Raheman – Class 3;
Bharat L – Class 3;
Varun Kumar A – Class 3;
Yogesh P – Class 4;
Rajesh Swami – Class 5;
Hemanth M – Class 5;
Goutham N – Class 6;
Ryhana Bee – Ladies Class;
Sneha CC – Ladies Class.
R Nataraj
R Nataraj now leads a bunch of 12 riders from VM Sports Foundation. Astride a KTM 450EXCF, he wants to mount a challenge to his former teammates at TVS in Class 1. Backed by Vamcy Merla, the rider is a tough nut to crack on his day. He stands as one of India’s most accomplished rally riders. A product of TVS Racing, he clinched the Super Bike (Pro Expert) Class Group A title in the 2018 INRC season, riding the RTR 450 FX. His expertise extends to challenging events like the Raid-de-Himalaya, where he showcased exceptional skill and endurance. Nataraj’s experience and tactical acumen continue to inspire both teammates and aspiring riders across the country.
Naresh VS
Known as the “Indian Bruce Lee” for his agility and precision, Naresh VS boasts an impressive track record. A 10-time national champion, he secured the Bullet class title in the 2021 Indian National Rally Sprint Championship. His recent victory in the CHAMPIONSHIP GRPA C2-Upto 550cc (Pvt) category further cements his reputation.
Pinkesh Thakkar
Hailing from Pune, Pinkesh Thakkar has made significant strides in the Scooter Class. He emerged victorious in the opening round of the FMSCI Indian National Rally Sprint Championship. His consistent performances have made him a notable contender in his category.
Abdul Raheman
Representing VM Sports Foundation, Abdul Raheman clinched the Class 3 title in the MRF Mogrip FMSCI National Rally Championship-2W, 2024. His dedication and skill have been instrumental in his recent successes.
A two-time national champion, Yogesh P has showcased his versatility in off-road events. Beyond racing, he contributes as an off-road trainer at Tribal Adventure Café, nurturing the next generation of riders.
Rajesh Swami
With multiple national titles under his belt, including the National Rally Champion 2024 and National Dirt Track Champion 2024, Rajesh Swami stands out in the rallying community. His consistent performances have earned him accolades and respect among peers.
Goutham N
As the President of Ablaze Motorsports, Goutham N has a rich history in motorsports. A freestyle stunt rider and two-time National Gypsy Champion, he also clinched the INRC 4 title, showcasing his diverse talents.
Ryhana Bee
Ryhana Bee’s journey reflects a blend of talent, perseverance, and passion, making her a prominent figure both in rallying and Indian motorcycle racing and a role model for aspiring racers. She is also a former Sprint Nationals champion.
Chennai’s own Ryhana Bee has reasserted her dominance in the Indian motorcycle racing scene, particularly in the Girls category (Stock 165cc) of the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship. After a three-year hiatus from the national title, she made a compelling comeback in September 2024, securing a lights-to-flag victory at the Madras International Circuit. Her performance was marked by topping both practice and qualifying sessions, showcasing her exceptional skill and determination. However, she lost the title by a narrow margin after the last round fall injured her fingers.
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MMSC presents awards to 2024 champions
Chennai, January 31: The racing scene in India is set for a major enhancement by way of bigger and more powerful vehicles in the near future, according to Vicky Chandhok, Vice-President, Madras Motor Sports Club.
Speaking during the MMSC Annual Awards ceremony to honour the 2024 National Racing Championship winners here on Friday, Chandhok said: “I cannot go into specifics, but the racing scene should witness infusion of bigger and more powerful machines sometime soon.
“Parallelly, MMSC is working towards making motorsports more affordable and to this end, our karting programme at the Mika International Karting Arena, is the first step in this direction.
“We also thank MRF Tyres, Honda and TVS for their active involvement in our National Championships.”
Chief guest Arun Mammen, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, MRF Ltd., outlined his company’s involvement in motorsports over six decades and a strong presence in various championships globally. He reiterated that MRF would continue to support motorsports in India across various disciplines.
The ceremony marked the conclusion of the 2024 National racing season as awards were presented to the winners at a gala function.
MMSC president Ajit Thomas welcomed the gathering while MMSC treasurer Manoj Dalal proposed a vote of thanks.
The 2024 National Racing Championship winners:
MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship
Pro-Stock 301-400cc: Rider Champion – Sarthak Chavan (Pune, TVS Racing). Team – TVS Racing. Manufacturer champion – TVS.
Pro-Stock 165cc: Rider – Jagan Kumar (Chennai, TVS Racing). Team – TVS Racing. Manufacturer – TVS.
Stock 301-400cc (Novice): Rider – Kaushik Subbiah Ganesan (Chennai, RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate). Team – RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate. Manufacturer – Yamaha.
Novice (Stock 165cc): Rider – Abdul Basim RS (Chennai, Rockers Racing). Team – Rockers Racing. Manufacturer – Yamaha.
Girls (Stock 165cc): Rider – Jagathishree Kumaresan (Chennai, One Racing. Team – One Racing. Manufacturer – Yamaha.
Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup (NSF 250 Open): Rider – Mohsin Paramban (Mallapuram).
TVS One-Make Championship Open (Apache RR 310): Rider – Senthil Kumar C (Coimbatore).
TVS OMC Women (Apache RTR 200): Rider – Saimah Ajaz Baig (Pune).
TVS OMC Rookie (Apache RTR 200): Rider – Harshith V Bogar (Bengaluru).
TVS OMC Electric RTE: Rider – Sarthak Chavan (Pune).
MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Car Racing Championship
MRF Formula 2000: Driver champion – Jaden Rahman Pariat (Shillong).
MRF Formula 1600: Driver – Abhay Mohan (Bengaluru).
Indian Touring Cars: Driver – Biren Pithawalla (Mumbai, Team N1 Racing). Team – Team N1 Racing.
Indian Junior Touring Cars: Driver – Srinivas Teja (Chennai, Team Performance Racing). Team – Team Performance Racing.
Super Stock: Driver – Justin Singh (Gurugram, Redline Racing India). Team – Redline Racing India.
Formula LGB 1300: Driver – Viswas Vijayaraj (Nellore, DTS Racing). Team – DTS Racing.
MRF Saloons (Toyota Etios): Driver – Diana Pundole (Pune).
Polo Cup: Driver – Dhruv Chavan (Lonavla).
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Lani Zena Fernandez win girls’ race; Rajiv Sethu disqualified
Chennai, 30 Sept. 2023: Bengaluru teenager Chiranth Vishwanath (Petronas TVS Racing) and Chennai veteran Prabhu Arunagiri (Pacer Yamaha) shared honours by winning a race apiece in the premier Pro-Stock 165cc Open category in the fourth round of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship at the Madras International Circuit, here on Saturday.
Rajiv Sethu (RACR Castrol Power1) continued his unbeaten run in the Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open class and crossed the chequered flag first but was later disqualified from both his races in the 165cc class. Chiranth was promoted as winner in the Pro-stock 165cc Open Race 1 as Rajiv Sethu was disqualified due to technical infringement. In Race 2, Prabh Arunagiri made it double as Rajiv Sethu was once again disqualified in the post-race scrutiny of the 165cc Race 2.
Another Bengalurean, 22-year-old six-footer Manvith Reddy (RACR Castrol Power1), bided his time to win the Novice (Stock 165cc) race after a couple of front-runners, including pole-sitter Vignesh Goud, retired, while his team-mate Puducherry’s Lani Zena Fernandez made the best of pole position start to score a comfortable victory, her second win of the season, in the Girls (Stock 165cc) class of the National championship.
Chiranth, only 16, was impressive in winning Race-1 of the Pro-Stock 165cc Open category. He showed a big heart for a close fight to overcome championship leader Rajiv Sethu, who despite starting P12 after a disastrous qualifying session, led briefly. However, a loose footrest and then a broken gear lever saw Sethu pull out of his battle with Chiranth and was content to finish second. Earlier, pole-sitter Sarthak Chavan, the 16-year-old from Pune, retired after a high-side crash at Turn-1 in the very first lap, but walked away unhurt, clearing the way for Chiranth to hit the front.
In Race-2 of the same category in the evening, Prabhu Arunagiri fully capitalised on a set of new tyres to a run-away win, while behind him his Pacer Yamaha team-mate Mathana Kumar did well to hold up the traffic that included Sarthak Chavan, who eventually finished second ahead of KY Ahamed. Mathana, who had scored a double in the first round in June, came fourth.
Sarthak suffered yet another crash after coming together with his Petronas TVS Racing team-mate KY Ahamed in the Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open race, a little later. With the two out of contention, Sethu stormed into the lead and fought off Hyderabad’s Rahil Pillarisetty (KTM Gusto Racing) for his sixth consecutive win of the season.
Chiranth Vishwanath ended the day on a winning note by topping the Open (RR310) category of the Petronas TVS One-Make Championship.
Thailand’s Vorapong Malahuan clocked a blistering lap of one minute, 49.198secs for pole position in the inaugural TVS E-Invitation Race category, ahead of two Petronas TVS Racing factory riders KY Ahamed (01:50.666) and Jagan Kumar (01:50.681).
Provisional results (all 6 laps unless mentioned): (before scrutiny)
National Championship – Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open: 1. Rajiv Sethu (Chennai, RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate) (11mins, 21.000secs); 2. Rahil Pillarisetty (Hyderabad, KTM Gusto Racing) (11:22.194); 3. Alwin Sundar (Chennai, KTM Gusto Racing) (11:27.023).
Pro-Stock 165cc Open (Race-1): 1. Chiranth Vishwanath (Bengaluru, Petronas TVS Racing) (09:56.159); 2. Ahamed KY (Chennai, Petronas TVS Racing) (10:03.002); 3. Race-2: 1. Prabhu Arunagiri (Chennai, Pacer Yamaha) (11:48.680); 2. Sarthak Chavan (Pune, Petronas TVS Racing) (11:52.473); 3. Ahamed KY (Chennai, Petronas TVS Racing) (11:52.859).
Novice (Stock 165cc): 1. Manvith Reddy K (Bengaluru, RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate) (13:16.375); 2. Abdul Basim (Chennai, Rockers Racing) (13:16.375); 3. Tasmai Cariappa (Mysuru, Pacer Yamaha 1) (13:16.869).
Girls (Stock 165cc, 5 laps): 1. Lani Zena Fernandes (Puducherry, RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate) (11:10.327); 2. Jagathishree (Chennai, One Racing) (11:12.974); 3. Ryhana Bee (Chennai, Axor Sparks Racing) (11:17.529). Qualifying (top 3, best lap): 1. Lani Zena Fernandez (02:12.592); 2. Ann Jennifer (Chennai, Alpha Racing) (02:13.274); 3. Ryhana Bee (02:16.213).
Support Race (301-400cc, Novice): 1. Rohit Lad (Bengaluru, Pvt) (12:50.702); 2. Aldrin Babu (Chennai, RACR Castrol Power1) (12:53.293); 3. Vivek M (Bengaluru, Eminence Racing) (12:53.336).
Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup (NSF 250R) – Qualifying (top 3, best lap): 1. Kavin Quintal (Chennai) (01:51.512); 2. Shyam Sundar (Chennai) (01:54.039); 3. AS James (Bengaluru) (01:55.017).
Petronas TVS One-Make Championship – Open (Apache RR 310): 1. Chiranth Vishwanath (Bengaluru) (11:34.135); 2. Senthil Kumar C (Coimbatore) (11:38.154); 3. G Balaji (Chennai) (11:42.214).
Girls (Apache RTR 200, 5 laps): 1. Saimah Ajaz Baig (Pune) (11:19.600); 2. Nadine Faith Balaji (Chennai) (11:20.014); 3. Aisvariya V (Coimbatore) (11:34.185).
TVS E-Invitation Race – Qualifying / Practice (top 3, best lap): 1. Vorapong Malahuan (Thailand) (01:49.198); 2. KY Ahamed (Chennai) (01:50.666); 3. Jagan Kumar (Chennai) (01:50.681).
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Sandeep Kumar begins F2000 with a victory; Arjun Balu campaign short-circuited
Chennai, 23 Sept 2023: Chennai’s Sandeep Kumar, an advocate by profession, snatched a close win in the premier MRF Formula 2000 race while another local ace Angad Matharoo scripted his fourth win in a row in the MRF Saloon Cars category in the second round of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Car Racing Championship 2023 at the Madras International Circuit, here on Saturday.
While Sandeep Kumar, starting from P3, had to work hard for his success, holding off Bengaluru’s Anand Swaminathan and pole-sitter Arya Singh (Kolkata), the experienced Matharoo scored a lights-to-flag win from pole position. Another Bengalurean, Chetan Surineni topped in the MRF Formula 1600 category almost unchallenged.
Among the other big winners of the day was Mumbai’s Biren Pithawalla (Team N1 Racing) who took the honours in the Race-1 of Indian Touring Cars category after pole-sitter and defending champion Arjun Balu (Race Concepts) retired when leading due to an electrical malfunction. Further, Pithawalla gained a spot after race winner Ritesh Rai slipped to second as he was docked 15-second penalty following an incident involving Gurunath Meiyappan (Race Concepts) who came in third. Balu decided to pack up for the weekend, skipping the remaining two races.
Later, Meiyappan scored a facile win, his second of the season, in Race-2 ahead of Ritesh Rai and Biren Pithawalla to move to the top of the points table in the ITC category.
Akkineni Anand Prasad (Team Performance Racing) from Chennai and Thrissur’s Diljith TS (DTS Racing) notched a double apiece in the Indian Junior Touring Cars and Super Stock categories, respectively. While Prasad moved to the top of the championship table, Diljith remains unbeaten in all five starts over two rounds so far.
Meanwhile, Nellore’s Viswas Vijayaraj (DTS Racing) and team-mate, veteran Diljith TS won a race each in the Formula LGB 1300 category. Viswas took Race-1 easily from pole position start while Diljith surged to victory in the next race from the reverse grid.
The results (Provisional – all 8 laps unless mentioned):
MRF Formula 2000 (Race-1): 1. Sandeep Kumar (Chennai) (13:05.709); 2. Aditya Swaminathan (Bengaluru) (13:06.099); 3. Arya Singh (Kolkata) (13:06.371).
MRF Formula 1600 (Race-1): 1. Chetan Surineni (Bengaluru) (14:06.215); 2. Veer Sheth (Mumbai) (14:27.811); 3. Suprej Venkat (Coimbatore) (14:18.045).
Indian Touring Cars (Race-1): 1. Biren PIthawalla (Mumbai, Team N1) (15:37.456); 2. Ritesh Rai (Pvt., Chennai) (15:47.528); 3. Gurunath Meiyappan (Chennai, Race Concepts Motorsports) (16:06.453).
Race-2 (10 laps): 1. Meiyappan (19:08.657); 2. Ritesh Rai (19:11.533); 3. Biren Pithawalla (19:25.993).
Indian Junior Touring Cars (Race-1): 1. Akkineni Anand Prasad (Chennai, Team Performance Racing) (15:37.920); 2. Deepak Ravikumar (Chennai, Team Performance Racing) (15:48.422); 3. Hatim Shabbir Jamnagarwala (Chennai, Team Performance Racing) (15:48.718).
Race-2 (10 laps): 1. Akkineni Anand Prasad (19:59.734); 2. Hatim Shabbir Jamnagarwala (20:03.432); 3. Deepak Ravikumar (20:03.802).
Super Stock (Race-1): 1. Dilijith TS (Thrissur, DTS Racing) (17:03.487); 2. Manan Patel (Mumbai, Redline Racing India) (17:19.722); 3. Jarshan Anand (Pvt., Chennai) (17:30.614).
Race-2 (10 laps): 1. Diljith (21:01.697); 2. Jarshan Anand (+1 lap, 19:15.341); 3. Justin Singh (+1 lap, 19:18.644).
Formula LGB 1300 (Race-1): 1. Viswas Vijayaraj (Nellore, DTS Racing) (15:06.923); 2. Raghul Rangasamy (Mamallapuram, MSport) (15:13.271); 3. Diljith TS (Thrissur, DTS Racing) (15:14.166).
Race-2 (10 laps): 1. Diljith TS (21:43.946); 2. Tijil Rao (Bengaluru, Momentum Motorsports) (21:52.616); 3. Raghul Rangasamy (21:55.412).
MRF Saloons (Toyota Etios, Race-1): 1. Angad Matharoo (Chandigarh, Redline Racing India) (16:41.199); 2. Zahan Commissariat (Mumbai, Redline Racing India) (16:47.367); 3. Diana Pundole (Pune, Redline Racing India) (16:52.014).
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Formula 1500 replaces F1600 as Round 2 begins: 4w Racing Naionals
Chennai, 21 Sept. 2023: Multiple-national champion Arjun Balu from Coimbatore, who is leading the championship and Gurunath Meiyappan of Chennai will resume their battles as the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Car Racing Championship 2023 second round begins after a two-month gap at the Madras International Circuit here this on Friday. Over 50 entries are the fray.
The two premium MRF single-seater cars, Formula 2000 and Formula 1500, will be headlining the second round of the championship commencing on Friday. Also on the grid are the Formula LGB 1300, Touring Cars that will be run in three classes and the MRF Saloons (Toyota Etios). In all, 13 races are scheduled.
Friday, Sept 22, is set aside for practice sessions in the afternoon, while the qualifying sessions and the races will be run on Saturday and Sunday.
The first round in July witnessed exciting wheel-to-wheel racing in all categories. Multiple National champion from Coimbatore, Arjun Balu (Race Concepts), won two of the three races in the premier Indian Touring Cars (ITC) category for a 10-point lead over team-mate Gurunath Meiyappan.
The situation is somewhat similar in the Indian Junior Touring Cars (IJTC) class where Performance Racing duo of Deepak Ravikumar and Akkineni Anand Prasad head the championship table with seven points separating them.
In contrast, veteran Diljith TS (DTS Racing) from Thrissur won all three races in the Super Stock category for a 30-point advantage over Jarshan Singh (DB Motorsports) in the points standings.
The Formula LGB 1300 triple-header threw up three different winners. Two Chennai veterans, Raghul Rangasamy (MSport) and Deepak Ravikumar (Ahura Racing), head this category with the former enjoying a 10-point buffer in the points tally.
Organising committee chairman and MMSC vice-president Vicky Chandhok said: “We can expect some high-octane action this weekend in keeping with the trend in the past few seasons. The number of entries is very encouraging and we expect it to grow as we go deeper into the season. Once again, MMSC thanks main sponsor, MRF Tyres, for their continued involvement in the National Championship as also the competitors and the Media.”
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Pole position for Rajiv Sethu, Vignesh Goud: National 2w Racing Round 3
Chennai, 4 August 2023: Chennai ace Rajiv Sethu and Hyderabad’s Vignesh Goud, both looking to extend their unbeaten run, qualified for pole position in their respective categories as the third round of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2023 commenced at the Madras International Circuit, here on Friday.
The 24-year-old Sethu (RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate), winner of all four races so far this season, showed impressive pace in the latter half of the 15-minute qualifying session for pole position in the premier Pro-Stock 301-400cc category, clocking a best lap of 01 minute, 50.457secs, to finish ahead of Petronas TVS Racing team’s threesome of Jagan Kumar (01:50.787), Deepak Ravikumar (01:50.845) and Pune youngster Sarthak Chavan (01:50.849).
Later, 19-year old Vignesh Goud (Race’ists Motorcycle Club) from Hyderabad, who is unbeaten in the Novice (Stock 165cc) category after four races over two rounds, put in a best lap of 02:08.750 for pole position, ahead of Bengaluru’s Savion Sabu (Axor Sparks Racing, 02:09.170) and Chennai rider Sangeeth S (ACCSYS India Rookie Racing, 02:09.753).
Earlier, in the free practice session for Pro-Stock 165cc Open category, Petronas TVS Racing’s KY Ahamed (01:55.455) and multiple National champion Jagan Kumar (01:55.471) set the early marker, ahead of championship leader Rajiv Sethu (RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate, 01:56.344) and defending champion Mathana Kumar (Pacer Yamaha, 01:56.480).
In the Girls’ category (Stock 165cc), Ann Jennifer (Alpha Racing) was the quickest with a hot lap of 02:10.645, while Lani Fernandez (RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate) from Puducherry was second fastest in 02:10.925, ahead of Nadine Faith Balaji (Alpha Racing) whose best was 02:13.791.
Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup (NSF 250): Unsurprisingly, Kavin Samaar Quintal, the teenager from Chennai, topped the practice session time sheets with a best lap of 01:50.859, well clear of another local rider Rakshith Dave (01:51.993) and Bengaluru’s AS James (01:52.818).
Petronas TVS One-Make Championship: Coimbatore’s Senthilkumar S took the pole position in the Open (RR 310) category with a best lap of 01:54.221 while Alwin Sundar from Chennai (01:54.871) and Chiranth Vishwanath from Bengaluru (01:54.961) completed the front row.
Chennai’s Nadine Faith Balaji outpaced the Girls (Apache RTR 200) field for pole position, clocking a top lap of 02:14.670, ahead Bengaluru’s 13-year-old Nithila Das (02:15.534) and Sarah Khan (02:15.751) from Mumbai.
Bengaluru riders, Copparam Shreyas Hareesh, 13, winner of four consecutive races this season, and Savion Sabu, 16, were the quickest in the free practice session for Rookie (RTR 200) category. Shreyas clocked a best of 02:06.150 as against Savion’s 02:07.914 while local rider, Nandanan, 13, was third quickest in 02:09.185.
The results (Qualifying – Top 3 Best laps):
National Championship – Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open: 1. Rajiv Sethu (Chennai, RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate) (01 min, 50.457secs); 2. Jagan Kumar (Chennai, Petronas TVS Racing) (01:50.787); 3. Deepak Ravikumar (Chennai, Petronas TVS Racing) (01:50.845).
Novice (Stock 165cc): 1. Vignesh Goud (Hyderabad, Race’ists Motorcycle Club (02:08.750); 2. Savion Sabu (Bengaluru, Axor Sparks Racing) (02:09.170); 3. Sangeeth S (Chennai, ACCSYS India Rookie Racing) (02:09.753).
Support Event – Stock 301-400cc (Novice): 1. S Rohit Lad (Bengaluru, Pvt) (02:04.718); 2. Aldrin Babu (Thrissur, RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate) (02:04.786); 3. Anand N (Chennai, RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate) (02:05.181).
Petronas TVS One-Make Championship: Open (RR 310): 1. Senthilkumar C (Coimbatore) (01:54.221); 2. Alwin Sundar A (Chennai) (01:54.871); 3. Chiranth Vishwanath (Bengaluru) (01:54.961).
Girls (Apache RTR 200): 1. Nadine Faith Balaji (Chennai) (02:14.670); 2. Nithila Das (Bengaluru) (02:15.534); 3. Sarah Khan (Mumbai) (02:15.751).
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Deepak Ravikumar dominates; Arjun Balu extracts a win from ‘old’ Car
Chennai, July 23, 2023: Chennai’s Deepak Ravikumar dominated the first round of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Car Racing Championship 2023 at the Madras International Circuit here this weekend with three wins and two podium finishes in six races as he led a Team Performance Racing sweep in both Indian Junior Touring Cars and Formula LGB 1300 categories.
Ravikumar, who celebrated his 36th birthday on July 20, shuttled between the two categories barely without a pause to underline his supreme fitness and adaptability to conditions that turned wet on Sunday which saw persistent light drizzle. He reserved his best for the three Touring Cars races that had a combined 17-car grid comprising three categories, the Indian Touring Cars, IJTC and Super Stock, winning two races and notching a second-place finish behind team-mate Akkineni Anand Prasad.
In the Formula LGB 1300 race today, Ravikumar won quite comfortably after front-runners, Viswas Vijayaraj, the 2022 champion in this category, and yesterday’s Race-2 winner Tijil Rao knocked each other out half-way through the eight-lapper when battling for the lead.
Deepak Ravikumar in action #25… All photos by Rahul Reghu Meanwhile, last year’s champion Arjun Balu (Race Concepts) from Coimbatore, who won yesterday’s Race-1, completed a double in the Indian Touring Cars category with team-mate Gurunath Meiyappan winning the other race. With his regular Honda City in full ITC-trim still under preparation, he drove virtually a stock car that was anything but competitive as compared to the IJTC cars, while Thrissur’s Diljith TS (DTS Racing) won all three races in the Super Stock class without much ado.
Deepak with his five trophies including three for victories… Also achieving a triple for the weekend was experienced racer Angad Matharoo from Chennai in the MRF Saloon Car category (Toyota Ethios) without raising a sweat.
The results (Provisional, 10 laps except mentioned):
Indian Touring Cars (Race-2): 1. Gurunath Meiyappan (Chennai) (19mins, 53.610secs); 2. Arjun Balu (Coimbatore) (19:54.013); 3. Rithvik Thomas (Bengaluru) (19:58.313) (All Race Concepts Motorsports). Race-3 (8 laps): 1. Arjun Balu (18:25.875); 2. Rithvik Thomas (19:16.427); 3. Gurunath Meiyappan (19:40.365).
Indian Junior Touring Cars (Race-2): 1. Deepak Ravikumar (Chennai) (19:31.198); 2. Akkineni Anand Prasad (Chennai) (19:37.062); 3. Hatim Shabbir Jamnagarwala (Chennai) (19:43.329) (All Team Performance Racing). Race-3 (8 laps): 1. Akkineni Anand Prasad (17:59.606); 2. Deepak Ravikumar (18:00.195); 3. Srinivas Teja (Chennai, Performance Racing) (18:16.233).
Super Stock (Race-2): 1. Diljith TS (Thrissur, DTS Racing) (21:09.014); 2. Yokeswaran (Coimbatore, Momentum Motorsports) (21:24.193); 3. Jarshan Anand (Chennai, DB Motorsports) (21:24.775). Race-3 (8 laps): 1. Diljith TS (18:56.803); 2. Justin Singh (Delhi, Redline Racing) (19:17.529); 3. Yokeswaran (19:26.035).
Formula LGB 1300 (Race-3, 8 laps): 1. Deepak Ravikumar (Chennai, Ahura Racing) (15:26.665); 2. Raghul Rangasamy (Chennai, MSport) (15:27.719); 3. Aman Nagdev (Noida, MSport) (15:29.919).
MRF Saloons (Toyota Etios) (Race-2): 1. Angad Matharoo (Chennai) (23:07.072); 2. Anirudha Arvind (Chennai) (23:44.035); 3. Jaiprashant Venkat (Coimbatore) (23:45.017) (All Redline Racing). Race-3 (8 laps): 1. Angad Matharoo (19:36.048); 2. Zahan Commissariat (Mumbai) (19:43.684); 3. Jaiprashant Venkat (19:45.769).
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Tijil Rao stuns field to win Formula LGB 1300 Race 2; Arjun Balu begins with a win
Chennai, July 22, 2023: Bengaluru’s Tijil Rao (Momentum Motorsports) came up with a stunning drive to win Race-2 in the Formula LGB 1300 category after starting from P14 on the opening day of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Car Racing Championship 2023 Round 1 at the Madras International Circuit, here on Saturday.
Rao, 20, a Business Management student, made up for a retirement in Race-1 that Raghul Rangasamy (Chennai, MSport) won earlier in the day after coming into contact with another competitor. Starting form P14 on the reverse grid, Tijil scythed through the field for a tremendous victory.
“Unfortunately, I was involved in an incident in the first race and so, had to make up for that in the next race. It was fun as I managed to overtake all the 13 cars in front of me and win. I should have more such performances,” said Tijil after finishing ahead of Deepak Ravikumar (Chennai, Ahura Racing) and last year’s champion Viswas Vijayaraj (Nellore, DTS Racing) who started from P11 on the reverse grid.
The day’s other winners were Deepak Ravikumar (Chennai, Performance Racing) in the Indian Junior Touring Cars category, Coimbatore veteran Arjun Balu (Race Concepts) in the Indian Touring Cars class, Thrissur’s Diljith TS (DTS Racing) in the Super Stock segment, and Angad Matharoo (Chennai, Redline Racing) who authored a lights-to-flag win in the MRF Saloons (Toyota Ethios) race.
While Tijil and Raghul scored good wins, much of the attention was in the Touring Cars race. Driving an under-powered stock car since his regular Honda City in ITC-trim was not ready for the race weekend, Balu quickly dropped to fourth overall after starting from pole position in the combined grid. Showing good pace, Ravikumar did not take long to get a jump on Balu early in the eight-lap race. So did two others, Akkineni Anand Prasad and Srinivas Teja. The three front-runners, taking part in the Indian Junior Touring Cars category, went on to deliver a podium sweep for Team Performance Racing with Ravikumar finishing well ahead of Prasad and Teja.
Behind the foursome, there were close battles up and down the grid. Balu’s team-mates Gurunath Meiyappan and Diana Pundole were locked in a tight tussle before the former finished second ahead of the Pune driver in the ITC category.
Further back, Dilijth claimed the honours in the Super Stock category ahead of local challenger Jarshan Anand (DB Motorsports) and Delhi’s Justin Singh (Redline Racing).
In the first Formula LGB 1300 race, pole-sitter Viswas Vijayaraj and Deepak Ravikumar forged ahead after the initial jostle through first of the eight laps. Viswas was harried by Ravikumar through much of the six laps, including a brief Safety Car period until the two made contact in the closing stages. Ravikumar dropped to ninth where he finished while Raghul passed Viswas who was nursing a damaged camber strut following the incident, to take the lead and eventually win the race. Finishing third behind Viswas was Bengaluru’s Chetan Surineni (MSport) who had started from P6.
The results (Provisional – all 8 laps unless mentioned):
Indian Touring Cars (Race-1): 1. Arjun Balu (Coimbatore) (15mins, 45.687sec); 2. Gurunath Meiyappan (Chennai) (16:03.174); 3. Diana Pundole (Pune) (16:04.053). All three from Race Concepts.
Qualifying (best lap – top 3): 1. Arjun Balu (01:56.126); 2. Rithvik Thomas (01:56.154); 3. Gurunath Meiyappan (01:57.086).
Indian Junior Touring Cars (Race-1): 1. Deepak Ravikumar (Chennai) (15:37.461); 2. Akkineni Anand Prasad (Chennai) (15:37.923); 3. Srinivas Teja (Chennai) (15:38.747). All three from Performance Racing.
Qualifying (best lap – top 3): 1. Deepak Ravikumar (01:55.197); 2. Srinivas Teja (01:55.341); 3. Akkineni Anand Prasad (01:56.670).
Super Stock (Race-1): 1. Dilijith TS (Thrissur, DTS Racing) (16:51.283); 2. Jarshan Anand (Chennai, DB Motorsports) (17:03.385); 3. Justin Singh (Delhi, Redline Racing) (17:08.050).
Qualifying (best lap – top 3): 1. Diljith TS (02:04.728); 2. Jarshan Anand (02:05.110); 3. Justin Singh (02:06.132).
Formula LGB 1300 (Race-1): 1. Raghul Rangasamy (Chennai, MSport) (16:36.969); 2. Viswas Vijayaraj (Nellore, DTS Racing) (16:39.114); 3. Chetan Surineni (Bengaluru, MSport) (16:40.603). Race-2 (10 laps): 1. Tijil Rao (Bengaluru, Momentum Motorsports) (19:18.886); 2. Deepak Ravikumar (Chennai, Ahura Racing) (19:31.153); 3. Viswas Vijayaraj (19:31.557).
Qualifying (best lap – top 3): 1. Viswas Vijayaraj (01:52.719); 2. Deepak Ravikumar (Chennai, Ahura Racing) (01:52.809); 3. Raghul Rangasamy (01:53.060).
MRF Saloons (Toyota Etios) (Race-1): 1. Angad Matharoo (Chennai) (16:38.754); 2. Zahan Commissariat (Mumbai) (16:39.058); 3. Jaiprashant Venkat (Coimbatore) (16:47.584). All three from Redline Racing.
Qualifying (best lap – top 3): 1. Angad Matharoo (02:03.052); 2. Diana Pundole (Pune, Redline Racing) (02:03.076); 3. Zahan Commissariat (02:03.458).
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Tidemand back with MRF Tyres in a bid to defend ERC title
Pontus Tidemand will return to the red and white colours of MRF Tyres as he embarks upon an FIA European Rally Championship assault in 2023.
Bengaluru, 24 Feb 2023: Tidemand’s collaboration with the Indian brand, MRF Tyres, has a successful history, dating back to 2015 when the Swede campaigned a Škoda Fabia S2000 in the Asia Pacific Rally Cup. He dominated the championship, winning five of the six rounds to claim the title.
Since then, Tidemand has continued to make a name for himself, claiming the 2017 WRC2 crown before going on to steer a Fiesta World Rally Car for M-Sport Ford on several WRC events in 2019. He has been less active during recent seasons, with his efforts focused on national rallies in his home country, reported FIAERC on Thursday in its news bulletin.
But now, the 32-year-old is hoping to recapture that success as he prepares for his first assault on the ERC with the MRF Dealer Team, piloting a GN Motorsport prepared Ford Fiesta Rally2. In the co-driver’s seat will be Julia Thulin, who guided Robert Virves to last year’s FIA Junior WRC title.
“It’s exciting to be back with MRF Tyres,” Tidemand told FIAERC.com. “We have some really great memories together from 2015 and I can’t wait to get going.
“The dream is still there. When you have been out [from this level of competition] for a little bit, it gives you a chance to re-evaluate everything you’ve been doing and look at what is right and what is not right. I’m really looking forward to coming back to the bigger events again.”
Fierce competition is expected at the season-opening Rally Serras de Fafe next month (10 – 12 March), with the likes of Erik Cais, Craig Breen and Georg Linnamäe all confirmed – plus Tidemand’s rally-winning colleagues Efrén Llarena and Mārtiņš Sesks.
“I’ve been reading all about it,” Tidemand laughed, referencing the ultra-competitive field he’s about to face. “We are going straight into the heat! I mean, the competition is going to be as good as WRC2, or maybe even better than WRC2.
“For Fafe, we will go there and try to do a good result. It’s the first rally of the season, so I think it’s important that we have a nice clean rally and secure some good points. That’s the main target, I think.”
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Pole position for Sohil Shah, Ritesh Rai: Racing Nationals
Chennai, 27 Jan 2023: Bengaluru youngster Sohil Shah and Chennai’s Ritesh Rai grabbed pole position in the MRF Formula 2000 and Volkswagen Polo Cup categories, respectively, on the opening day of the fourth and final round of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Car Racing Championship 2022 at the Madras International Circuit, here on Friday.
Sohil Shah is the only driver to dip under 1 minute 32-second mark, both in practice session and qualifying, and became the fastest driver of the day.
The 21-year old Shah set a best time of one minute, 31.668 seconds to qualify for the pole position ahead of championship leader Sai Sanjay from Salem (01:32.095) and Gurugram’s Divy Nandan (01:32.246). In fact, Sohil went quicker in the qualifying as compared to his time in the practice session (01:31.969) earlier in the day. Shah, who missed the first two rounds, is not in contention for the title. Sai Sanjay leads the championship table with 153 points ahead of Mohamed Ryan who has 125 points in second. Three more races offering a total of 75 points are in the menu for the week-end.
Meanwhile, 40-year old Chennai racer, Ritesh Rai, who is placed eighth in the championship, put in a hot lap of 01:56.000 to earn himself the pole position in the VW Polo Cup. Qualifying for P2 was Mumbai’s Pratik Sonawane (01:56.419) who heads the points table, while Raaj Bakhru (01:56.605), also from Mumbai, will start tomorrow’s race from P3.
Earlier, Coimbatore’s Arjun Narendran (Arka Motorsports), placed second in the points table behind Arjun Balu (Race Concepts) warmed up for the double-header by topping the time sheets in the Indian Touring Cars practice session with a 01:52.389. Veteran Balu, the defending champion, had issues with an overheating engine after just two laps which forced him to pit.
Gurunath Meiyappan (Race Concepts, 01:54.901) and Ritesh Rai (Performance Racing, 02:03.252) were the fastest in the practice session for Indian Junior Touring Cars and Super Stock categories, respectively.
Championship contender in the Formula LGB 1300, Viswas Vijayraj from Nellore (DTS Racing) was the fastest in the practice sessions with a best lap of 01:51.451. Behind him were team-mate Diljith TS (01:51.533) from Thrissur and championship leader Mamallapuram’s Raghul Rangasamy (01:51.698) of MSport.
Gurugram’s Justin Singh, who heads the points table, was the fastest in practice for the MRF Saloons (Toyota Etios) category, clocking 02:02.427.
The results (Qualifying – top 3):
MRF F2000: 1. Sohil Shah (Bengaluru) (1:31.668); 2. Sai Sanjay (Salem) (1:32.095); 3. Divy Nandan (Gurugram) (1:32.246).
Volkswagen Polo Cup: 1. Ritesh Rai (Chennai) (1:56.000); 2. Pratik Sonawane (Mumbai) (1:56.419); 3. Raaj Bakhru (Mumbai) (1:56.605).
