INDIA in F1

Tag: Road Racing

  • Young guns to challenge established stars: MMSC 2w Nationals Round 2

    Young guns to challenge established stars: MMSC 2w Nationals Round 2

    Chennai, July 6, 2023: The possibility of a new generation of riders continuing to push the seniors, like they did in the season-opener at Coimbatore last month, heightens the expectations of stirring duels in the second round of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2023 which gets underway at the Madras International Circuit here on Friday with over 150 entries in the fray. 

    The three-day event with 15 races besides practice and qualifying sessions, brings together country’s top riders and bike manufacturers – Honda, TVS, Yamaha and KTM – to contest in four National championship categories – Pro-Stock 301-400cc, Pro-Stock 165cc, Novice (Stock 165cc) and Girls (Stock 165cc), apart from a support race in the 301-400cc (Novice) class. 

    The card also includes the Petronas TVS One-Make Championship comprising three categories, the Open (Apache RR 310), Rookie (RTR 200) and Girls (RTR 200), while Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup will have a double-header in the NSF 250 class. 

    At the tight and twisty Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore last month, established stars had to constantly look over their shoulders as a new generation of racers announced its arrival with podium and top-10 finishes. However, the very technical MIC would be a different challenge for the young guns when they go up against their experienced peers. In this context, there is much to look forward to in the races this weekend. 

    Rajiv Sethu (RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate) and Mathana Kumar (Pacer Yamaha) started the season with a double apiece in the two premium Pro-Stock categories, 310-400cc and 165cc, respectively, in Coimbatore, but both were tested by a pair of Petronas TVS Racing’s new recruits, Sarthak Chavan from Pune and Bengaluru’s Chiranth Vishwanath. Another teenager, Shreyas Hareesh (Rockers Racing) from Bengaluru impressed with two top-10 finishes in the Pro-Stock 165cc category. 

    In contrast, Hyderabad teenager Vignesh Goud (Race’ists Motorcycle Club) also notched a double in the Novice class quite comfortably while the ever-improving Lani Fernandez (RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate) from Puducherry won the highly competitive Girls’ race. 

    Both the One-Make Championships also witnessed young riders excel. Chennai’s Kavin Quintal (NSF 250), Alwin Sundar (Petronas TVS Open) and Shreyas Hareesh (Petronas TVS Rookie) dominated their respective categories with a double each while Bengaluru’s Nithila Das impressed while winning the Petronas TVS Girls’ race. It will be no surprise if the quartet extend their winning run at the MIC this weekend. 

    MMSC president Ajit Thomas said: “The Coimbatore round presented a happy scenario with many young riders making a mark in various categories, and it certainly augurs well for the future. We look forward to the trend continuing in the remaining rounds at the MIC. Once again, we are grateful to our sponsors MRF Tyres, the manufacturers, the growing number of competitors and the Media who all have contributed to the success of the championship.”

    There will be live streaming of the races on various social media platforms. 

  • Ryhana Bee, Ann Jennifer for Asia Cup Road Racing Round 2

    Ryhana Bee, Ann Jennifer for Asia Cup Road Racing Round 2

    Ryhana Bee, right, and Ann Jennifer pose with FIM Asia vice-president Sujith Kumar before their races on Saturday. Photo FB @BSSujith

    Chennai, 12 Oct 2019: Ryhana Bee, the new 165cc Ladies Class National Champion, rushed to the airport straight from the awards function after receiving the award on Friday night to reach in time for the Round 2 of the FIM Asia Cup Road Racing championship 2019 to be held in Thailand on Sunday.

    Ryhana will have Ann Jennifer as teammate as the top two Indian riders will represent India as team FMSCI at the Road Racing event again. Jennifer was the National Champion for the year 2018 in the same class.

    Both the Indian riders will be seen in action at the Thailand Circuit, Nakhonchaisri
    as the event runs from October 11 to 13. FIM Asia vice-president Sujith Kumar (in the photo) is also present at the event.

    “We have taken up a lot of activities and have also promoted Women In Motorsports events in India. For every event, we are now sending a woman entry and even in domestic events, safety aspects are being given prime importance. In the near future, we expect a lot of improvements for the riders and in terms of infrastruture,” felt Sujith Kumar BS.

    I wanna thank FIM Asia, FMSCI, FIM WomenIn MOtorsport, Sujith Kumar for giving us an opportunity to run at the Asia level,” said Ryhana Bee. She sent her special thanks to Suresh Franklin who supported her in Team India. “It is always proud to represent the country and carry the Indian Tricolour,” she concluded.