INDIA in F1

Tag: MSBK

  • Kabilesh Triumphs at MalaysiaSBK: A New Indian Champion Rises

    Kabilesh Triumphs at MalaysiaSBK: A New Indian Champion Rises

    Sepang (Malaysia), Dec 15, 2024: Fourteen-year-old Indian sensation K.R. Kabilesh burst into the international spotlight at the Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) finale on Sunday, claiming his maiden victory on the global stage. Competing in the MSBK 250B class, the youngster clinched two podium finishes, placing second in Race 1 before surging to a commanding win in Race 2 at the famed Sepang International Circuit.

    Though still in his early teens, Kabilesh’s journey has been anything but ordinary. He first turned heads in the Indian Mini GP races in Bengaluru back in 2022, running alongside none other than his father, multiple national champion Rajini Krishnan. Since starting out in the FIM MiniGP Indian Championship, the young rider steadily graduated to national-level racing before making his MSBK debut earlier this year aboard a Kawasaki Ninja 250R. By Round 3 in October, he was already a podium finisher. At the season finale, he lifted his performance even further. He is also the youngest rider to win in the MSBK.

    Race 1 saw Kabilesh seize the lead from the start, fending off a relentless challenge from Indonesian rider Rakha Bima Saktiansyah. Despite relinquishing the top spot on Lap 4, he remained in hot pursuit, ultimately crossing the line a razor-thin 0.014 seconds behind his rival, a clear indicator of the fight he was willing to bring.

    That narrow defeat only fueled his determination. In Race 2, Kabilesh delivered a stunning performance, building a four-second cushion over Saktiansyah that his competitor simply couldn’t overcome. The result capped a stellar rookie season, propelling Kabilesh to a fourth-place finish in the overall standings with a total of 81 points.

    For Kabilesh, racing is more than a passion. It’s in his DNA. His father, Rajini Krishnan, is an iconic figure in Indian motorsport, boasting 11 national titles, as well as the Losail Asian Champion (600cc) crown and MSBK championships. Kabilesh, following in those legendary footsteps, has already begun carving out his own legacy.

    “It’s rewarding to see my hard work pay off,” Kabilesh said after the race. “While other kids play, I’m out there travelling and racing. It’s a sacrifice, but today’s result makes it all worth it. This is just the beginning of a long, challenging road.”

    Caption: Eleven time National champion, Rajini Krishnan, left and India’s first rider in MotoGp, Sarath, who also coached the youngster, pose with Kabilesh after his win at Sepang on Sunday.

    The young rider was quick to credit the man who paved the way. “I am extremely thankful to my dad, Rajini Krishnan, without whom I wouldn’t be here. He’s my hero, my mentor, and my inspiration. I dedicate this win to him,” Kabilesh added.

    With talent forged on familiar tracks at home and now proven on the international stage, Kabilesh’s star is unmistakably on the rise—just like the racing dynasty he proudly represents.

  • Rakshith Dave misses Malaysian SBK Championship title by a whisker

    Rakshith Dave misses Malaysian SBK Championship title by a whisker

    Sepang, 19 December 2023: Indian teenager Rakshith Dave bagged two podium places in the third and final round to clinch a creditable runners-up spot, in his debut season, in the Malaysian Superbike Championship 2023, which concluded here at the Sepang International Circuit.

    Rakshith, who made his international debut in Round 1 with a stunning double victory in his class went on to bag the second place in the highly-competitive Championship in Malaysia.

    In Round 3, Rakshith won two podiums, a second and a third place in the MSBK 250 B Race category but had to be content with the second in the overall standings of his class for the championship. In the in the 8-lap Race 1, he timed 20min, 53.558sec and later clocked 20:41.903 for a second place in Race 2.

    Earlier, astride a Honda CBR250RR, Rakshith won both the Round 1 races in his class in the Malaysia SBK 250cc category (B category), at the famed MotoGP circuit, the Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur. Rakshith bagged the ‘Week-end Warrior Trophy’ in the first round.

    Rakshith Dave in action at Sepang in the first round in August 2023. INDIAinF1 image

    Chennai’s Rakshith, 15, a Class X student of Lady Andal, said: “I am very happy to take a second place in the prestigious Malaysian Super Bike Championship. I am really elated and this gives me a push to continue my dreams. I thank my family, my team and crew who have worked really hard for this season and I hope to launch a new and better season soon.”

    Rakshith made his debut at the Madras International circuit in 2020 after he was selected for the Honda India Talent Cup and took a podium in his very first race. In the next two years, he scored many victories and podiums and graduated to NSF 250 class and went on to take part in the inaugural MiniGP India series in 2022. In 2023, he not only won the second place in the Idemitsu Honda 2023 Championship but also won the overall title in the teenage class of the MMSC Sprint Rally.

    The highlight of 2023 for Rakshith came when he was selected to represent India in the Asia Talent Cup 2024 to be held over six rounds across as many countries. He was one among the 10 riders to be selected from the Asia Pacific Region.

    The MSBK championship consisted of six races over three rounds at the same venue in Sepang. After winning both the races in Round 1, he came back strongly to win the second race in Round 2 after some technical issues with the bike prevented him from starting Race 1. In Round 3, he achieved another two podiums to finish the season on a bright note with 111 points, just 4 points behind Muhd Izrul Huzaimie Amran who won the 250B class title.