INDIA in F1

Tag: Vishnu Prasad

  • Vishnu Prasad, Ruhaan Alva crowned National Champions

    Vishnu Prasad, Ruhaan Alva crowned National Champions

    Coimbatore, 27 Feb 2022: Multiple-national champion Vishnu Prasad regained the LGB Formula 4, the coveted JK Tyre National Racing Championship for 2021 while Ruhaan Alva clinched the Novice Cup title in the 24th JK Tyre fmsci National Racing Championship 2021, which concluded with Round 4 at Kari Motor Speedway here on Sunday.

    Anish Shetty won the 2021 Championship in the maiden JK Tyre present Royal Enfield Continental cup which made its debut along with the JK Tyre 4-wheeler National Racing Championship this year. The delayed 2021 championship calendar was completed only today due to COVID.

    In the LGB Formula 4 category, Chennai’s Vishnu Prasad beat Sandeep Kumar, also from Chennai, as the later trailing by two points coming into the final round, crashed out and it hurt his championship. Sandeep recently won the Polo Cup National title.

    In a keenly-contested race, the top-four drivers were in the title-hunt with just seven points separating them. Young-gun from Kolkata Arya Singh won the final race beating Ashwin Datta and Vishnu finish to second and third respectively.

    Earlier in the first race, Vishnu, the Championship leader in the Feature event, led the race and his closest contender Sandeep crashed out pushing for the title. Meanwhile, Diljith TS, fought back and managed to stave off a fighting Mira Erda to 2nd. Thus, the Championship went go down to the wire with the final race deciding the champion.

    In the Continental GT Cup, too, the top-two riders having just seven points between them for the Championship title. Anish D Shetty won the maiden Championship title which presented by JK Tyre along it four-wheeler National Racing Championship. The top-three riders, Meka Vidhuraj, Allwin Xavier and Anish engaged in a tight fight but Anish took the lead after a few laps but could not sustain it. Both Meka and Allwin managed to exploit corners and overtook Anish, to finish first and second in that order.

    Leading the table with 98 points in the Novice Cup, Ruhaan Alva was declared the Championship Winner for 2021. On Sunday, Jaden R Pariat scored back-to-back wins. The two karting boys, who were friends off the track had a good day. Ruhaan, the senior of the two,  is a gifted driver who tuned his racecraft in Europe before winning National karting championships in India. Jaden, from Guwahati, has shifted from a Delhi school to Bengaluru to improve his racing skills and graduated to open-seat cars this years after just a couple of seasons in karting where he was nurtured by teammate Ruhaan.

    Elated with his Championship title, Ruhaan said, “It’s been a tough fight with the competition constantly improving. COVID has had a big impact on my preparation but am happy to finish on the top. My ultimate aim is to get into F1.”

    Equally ecstatic with his performance on the last day of the season, Jaden said, “The start was a tough moment so I just focused. With the winner’s cup in hand, I look forward to race in F4 now.”

    National Championship Winners for 2021 (provisional standings)

    NOVICE CLASS

    1. Ruhaan Alva, 98 points, National Champion

    2. Jaden R Pariat, 80;

    3. Neym Rizvi, 49.

    Team Champion: Msport, 202 points

    LGB Formula 4

    1. Vishnu Prasad, 70 points (National Champion)

    2. Diljith TS, 59 points

    Joint 3rd: Arya Singh & Sandeep Kumar- 55 points each,

    Team Champion: Dark Don Racing- 167 points

    Support Class: JK Tyre presents Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup

    Overall Championship Standings (provisional):

    1. Anish D Shetty, 64 points – Champion;

    2. Allwin Xavier, 61 points;

    3. Anfal Akdhar, 40 points.

    Day 2 Provisional Results:

    JK Tyre Novice Cup (Race 2):

    Jaden R Pariat (MSport) – 15:41.357

    Aadithya Parasuram (Hasten Performance) – 15:46. 318

    Neym Rizmi (MSport) – 15:46.513

    Race 3:

    Jaden R Pariat – 17:59.256

    Ruhaan Alva – 18:01.576

    Aadithya Parasuram – 18:02.166

    LGB Formula 4 (Race 2)

    1. Vishnu Prasad (MSport) -22:44.206

    2. Diljith TS (Dark Don Racing) -22:46.755

    3. Balaprasath (Msport) – 22:51.546

    Race 3 (timings not available due to technical issue)

    1. Arya Singh (Dark Don Racing) –

    2. Ashwin Datta (Dark Don Racing) –

    3. Vishnu Prasad (MSport) –

    Continental Cup: Race 2:

    1. Allwin Xavier (17:28.877)

    2. Meka Vidhuraj -17:31.885

    3. Anish Shetty (time not available).

    Note: This report was uploaded on 1 March 2022.

  • JK Tyre Racing Nationals Round 2 from Friday

    JK Tyre Racing Nationals Round 2 from Friday

    Coimbatore, 18 Nov. 2021: Chennai’s Vishnu Prasad and Bengaluru boys Sohil Shah and Ruhaan Alva who showed fighting spirit and refused to accept defeat in the first round are raring to go in the Round 2 of the 24th JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship (JKNRC) 2021 at the Kari Motor Speedway (KMS) which begins at the Karimotorspeedway from Friday.

    There is much more in store in the second round to be held at the KMS circuit yet again this weekend. The riders and drivers, who have come from across the country, are now even better prepared and battle ready to push themselves up the order in the provisional points table.

    After the first round, Vishnu heads the premier LGB Formula 4 standings with 21 points from three races followed by Sohil Shah (14 points).

    Amir Sayed of Kottayam is not far behind. He is currently lying third and it is only a few points that is now separating him from his former MSport teammates.

    But the top three are aware of the other drivers, who are capable of pulling off a surprise on their day. The list includes Mohamed Ryan and A. Sandeep Kumar (both Chennai), Arya Singh (West Bengal), Chirag Ghorpade (Bengaluru), T.S. Diljith (Kerala), to name a few.

    The ever-popular Mira Erda from Vadodara, Gujarat, showed fine form as well battling alongside the adventurous boys. There are a host of other drivers from Delhi, Haryana and Faridabad who are also keen to show their bit of magic on the track.

    The JK Tyre presents Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup, which made its debut in the opener, was equally enthralling. The bikes looked bigger and heavier but the riders were stronger and faster.

    Anish Damodara Shetty from Hubli was the man in command. He was hotly challenged by Allwin Xavier from Thrissur. The duo, having tested the machines for one full round on the smooth and flowing Kari track, is expected to build an even better show during the weekend.

    Raivat Dhar (Jammu) and Lani Zena Fernandez (Puducherry), the only girl racer on the grid for the RE GT Cup, will all look to better their performance in the second round.

    Ruhaan Alva ruled the races in the JK Tyre Novice Cup. There was not even a slight whiff of underperformance from this youngster from Bengaluru. It’s going to be tough for the rest in fray to play catch up with him.

    The exciting part of the turnover in a JK Tyre racing championship, of course, is the effort in finding new and promising talents. There are many coming in from every nook and corner of the country to test their skills in the Novice Cup.

    There will three races each of JK Tyre LGB Formula 4 & JK Tyre novice Cup and 2 races of JK Tyre presents RE Continental GT cup over the weekend.

    About JK Tyre Motorsport:

    JK Tyre has been closely associated with the world of motorsports for almost three decades back. The company laid down a long term plan to popularise and promote the sport in the country. Its first target was to change the notion that this was a sport for the elite. So it packaged and redesigned it in a spectator-friendly way, drawing the masses to the sport.

    The company then endeavored to spot, nurture and sharpen the drivers to turn them into world champions. With this goal in mind, we conceptualized the JK Tyre National Racing Champion in 1997. Our efforts started paying dividends in just a few years’ time, with the likes of Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandok going all the way to the F1 rung, the highest level of single-seat racing in the world. Since then, a number of stars emerged, including Armaan Ebrahim, the Maini brothers (Kush and Arjun), Anindith Reddy Konda, amongst many others. 

    Before all this, JK Tyre had a successful stint in rallying too, conquering the scene in the early 90s. At the same time, gradually, we moved on to various disciplines, including cross-country rallying and off-roading, leaving a mark in each of them with their unique and innovative ways.  

    JK Tyre Motorsports is also very proud of the role it has played in bringing women into motorsports in a big way. Apart from encouraging them to get into the sport through karting as kids, we also gave them opportunities in various national championships. Last year was particularly rewarding for us as an All-Women Racing team was introduced for the first time in the LGB 4 category. In addition, the company also undertook various other initiatives to encourage them to try motorsports, even if for fun to begin with.  

    To supplement JK Tyre’s entry into the two-wheeler market, the JKNRC hosted the Suzuki Gixxer Cup and the Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup categories and saw enthusiastic participation from across the country.

    Today, the company is synonymous with motorsports, and even more so with racing, creating a lot of goodwill for the brand. Right from budding racers to accomplished drivers in the country, everybody owes their rise and success to JK Tyre.  

  • Ruhaan Alva completes clean sweep in Novice class; Vishnu, Sohil win a race each

    Ruhaan Alva completes clean sweep in Novice class; Vishnu, Sohil win a race each

    Coimbatore, 24 October 2021: Young Ruhaan Alva of Bengaluru made it a memorable day as he completed a clean sweep in the Novice Class winning the third and final race in the first round of the 24th JK Tyre FMSCI Indian National Racing Championship at the Kari Motor Speedway here on Sunday.

    The talented Team MSport driver, steered his yellow #27 to another clinical finish and did it in style starting from 13th on the grid. After winning the two rounds on the opening day of the season on Saturday in the Novice Class, the Bengaluru teenager changed his gear-box and suffered a 5-place grid penalty and along with the first-eight reverse grid, made him start on P13. Undaunted, the calm and lanky Ruhaan, overtook one by one and drove a fantastic race to claim another seemingly improbable victory.

    He came out triumphant posting 30 out of 30 points and is leading the 4-round Championship table in his Class.

    Behind him Chetan Surineni, who started on P5 had a consistent race as he made up a few places and defended his place even as another karting graduate Jaden R Pariat, was actually the ‘Driver of the Day’. Having started among the back benchers at P17, he exhibited good driving skills and made up postions one-by-one to get on to the top and took the final place on the podium for a well-deserved third place.

    Meanwhile, in the Senior section, former champion and mentor Vishnu Prasad from Chennai and experienced youngster Sohil Shah of Bengaluru, also from MSport, won a race each in the premier LGB Formula 4 class.

    A quick get-away from the lights saw, Vishnu Prasad take the lead from P3 as he was adept at his reflex timings won the first race, and after dilly dallying midway through with his ward, Amir Sayed of Ahura Racing. Amir, the Novice Cup 2020 champion graduated to F4 this season.

    The experienced Vishnu, winner of several titles year after year, managed to break free towards the end for a place atop the podium. “I think we got a lucky break in the beginning when everyone else was fighting,” said the 28-year-old, who mentored Amir last season.

    “Amir is doing really well and I am very happy for him. The guys are fighting it out in the middle with their teachers and are coming up the ranks,” explained Vishnu. Sohil Shash wh got a 10-second penalty finished 10th. But, Sohil came back strongly to take the chequered flag in the second race ahead of Vishnu.

    Earlier, Anish Damodara Shetty of Hubli won the Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup’s second race too.

    The results (provisional): FLGB4:

    Race 1: Vishnu Prasad (MSport) 22:45.828; 2. Amir Sayed (Ahura Racing) 22:49.736; 3. Chirag Ghorpade (Momentum Motorsports) 22:53.650.

    Race 2: 1. Sohil Shah 19:01.088; 2. Vishnu Prasad 19:02.222; 3. A. Sandeep Kumar 19:03.875.

    Novice Cup: 1. Ruhaan Alva (MSport) 21:48.110; 2. Chetan Surineni (Quest Motorsports) 21:48.714; 3. Jaden R. Pariat (MSport) 21:48.985.

    Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup: 1. Anish Damodara Shetty (Hubli) 13:57.731; 2. Allwin Xavier (Thrissur) 14:06.374; 3. Anfal Akdhar (Thrissur) 14:08.009.

    Saturday results (revised): FLGB4: 1. Arya Singh (Dark Don Racing) 23:27.088; 2. Raghul Rangaswamy (MSport) 23:29.179; 3. Mohamed Ryan (MSport) 23:29.308.

  • Vishnu Prasad pips Raghul to win Formula LGB-4 title: JK Tyre Nationals

    Vishnu Prasad pips Raghul to win Formula LGB-4 title: JK Tyre Nationals

    Chennai’s Vishnu Prasad on way to hi championship crown in the LGB4 class of the JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship at BIC, Greater Noida. A JK Tyre photo

    Greater Noida, 1 Dec 2019: Chennai’s Vishnu Prasad and Bengaluru’s Syed Muzammil Ali demonstrated nerves of steel to emerge as the heroes of the thrill-a-minute JK Tyre Festival of Speed here on Sunday.

    Over 35,000 excited and screaming fans had the time of their lives at the Buddh International Circuit, enjoying a wholesome entertainment package topped up by tense races, close finishes and a couple of spectacular crashes too.

    Eventually, Vishnu of MSport pipped his friend, team-mate and rival, Raghul Rangaswamy, to the crown in the coveted Formula LGB-4 category of the JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship.

    Going into the final day with 73 points apiece, Vishnu and Raghul knew that, for once, they didn’t have to chase victory; they just had to finish ahead of the other to claim the championship.

    But, true to their reputation, they went all out, providing for a thrilling race, with Vishnu winning in dramatic fashion; Raghul finished third to take the second position in the championship.

    The Suzuki Gixxer Cup too followed the script of the season, with Syed Muzammil Ali and Tanay Gaikwad locked in one last fight. Tanay, however, began with a huge disadvantage following a DNF on Saturday.

    He began from the back of the grid and valiantly fought his way up but could only manage a third-place finish to settle for the second position in the championship. Muzammil, who had an overnight 2-point lead, made sure that he hit the post ahead of Tanay to clinch the Cup.

    The inaugural X1 Racing competition, Powered by JK Tyre, too proved to be with an instant hit, with its mix of top international and domestic drivers in an exciting new format.

    Bangalore Racing Stars, with Arjun Maini, Oliver Webb, Vishnu Prasad and Michelle Gatting, claimed Round 1 in style, thanks to their two wins on Day 1. They also won the last race of the round, the relay race, to emerge clear victors.

    Mumbai Falcons, (Kush Maini, Mikkel Jensen, Karthik Tharani and Pippa Mann) won one of the two races of the day and had to settle for the second position.

    Rajini Krishnan (JK Tyre Superbike 1000cc), P. Sai Rahil Shetty (JK Tyre Superbike Cup 600cc) and Japan’s Karen Ogura (Asia Cup Road Racing) were the other heroes of the day, winning their respective races on Sunday.

    Car stunts at the JK Tyre Festival of Speed.

    RESULTS (Championship winners):

    JK Tyre LGB Formula 4: 1. Vishnu Prasad (83); 2. Raghul Rangasamy (79); Diljith T S (68)

    JK Tyre LGB Formula 4 Rookie: 1.Megaa K. S. (85); 2. Mihir Barve (73); 3. Akshay Kapoor (62)

    JK Tyre Suzuki Gixxer Cup: 1. Syed Muzammil Ali (64); Tanay Gaikwad (60); Sidharth Sajan (36)

    Provisional Results:

    JK LGB Formula 4: 1. Vishnu Prasad (23:16.961); 2. Ashwin Datta (23:18.060); 3. Raghul Rangasamy (23:18.675)

    JK Tyre Suzuki Gixxer Cup: 1. Sanjeev Mhatre (23:28.022); 2. Syed Muzammil Ali (23:29.287); 3. Tanay Gaikwad (23:35.746)

    Asia Cup Road Racing: 1. Karen Ogura (20:51.318); 2. Eane Jaye Sobretodo (20:51.478); 3. Mei Sakurai (21:01.006)

    JK Tyre Superbike 1000cc: 1. Rajini Krishnan (11:49.834); 2. Dilip Lalwani (11:51.070); 3. Simranjeet Singh (11:53.166)

    JK Tyre Superbike Cup 600cc: 1. P. Sai Rahil Shetty (12:21.241); 2. Gurvinder Singh (12:26.929); 3. Vishal Khubchandani (12:41.629)

    X1 Racing Powered by JK Tyre:

    Race 1: 1. Mumbai Falcons; 2. Bangalore Racing Stars; 3. DGR Ahmedabad

    Race 2: 1. Bangalore Racing Stars; 2. Mumbai Falcons; 3. NK Racing Chennai

  • Ashwin Datta leads podium sweep for Momentum Motorsports; Arjun Balu, Vishnu, Nayan win

    Ashwin Datta leads podium sweep for Momentum Motorsports; Arjun Balu, Vishnu, Nayan win

    Chennai, 20 July 2019: Chennai young gun Ashwin Datta spearheaded a momentous podium sweep for his team Momentum Motorsports in the highly competitive Formula LGB 1300 category, holding off two Bengaluru schoolboys while Nayan Chatterjee (Mumbai) and local challenger Vishnu Prasad won a race apiece in the premium MRF F1600 class on Day Two of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Car Racing Championship at the MMRT, here today.

    Also in the limelight was Coimbatore veteran Arjun Balu (Race Concepts) who shrugged off a poor qualifying session where he finished fifth, and won the popular Indian Touring Cars race with a measure of comfort, while Chennai’s RP Rajarajan took the honours in the Super Stock category after a tough fight and Pune lad Pratik Sonawane topped in the Volkswagen Ameo Class race.

    Datta, 20, who was runner-up to Sohil Shah in the LGB 1300 championship last season, overcame a sluggish start when he dropped from second to third before recovering to grab the lead and chalk up his second win of the season. Finishing second and third behind him, respectively, were two Bengaluru schoolboys, Tijil Rao (16), who had started from pole position and Chirag Ghorpade, only 14.

    In the first MRF F1600 race, Chatterjee benefitted from a drive-through penalty for pole-sitter Sohil Shah from Bengaluru for jump start and once in front, he opened up a comfortable lead to win from Chennai’s Nirmal Umashankar and Coimbatore’s Bala Prasath. Sohil Shah, who posted the fastest lap of the race, eventually was placed ninth. In the next race, Vishnu Prasad, starting fourth on the grid, rocketed off the blocks to take the lead in the first lap itself and then hung on to win ahead of two other Chennai drivers, Sandeep Kumar and Raghul Rangasamy.

    Ace drdiver Arjun Balu from Coimbatore after winning the ITC Race on Saturday.

    Earlier, Balu, who had a poor qualifying session due to a technical hitch with his car, was not to be denied when the eight-lap race got underway. Some four corners before the end of the first lap, the Coimbatore star jumped four positions to take the lead and never looked back.

    Behind him, after the initial jostling for track positions, Karthik Tharani (VW Motorsport) seemed content to hold his second spot behind Balu while further back, Nikanth Ram (ARKA Motorsports) won a tight battle with another VW factory driver Ishaan Dodhiwala, to complete the podium.

    Meanwhile, Oman’s Shihab Al Habsi and Finn Elias Seppanen shared the top honours in the two Formula 4 SEA races.

    The results (Provisional – all 8 laps unless mentioned):

    MRF F1600 (Race-1): 1. Nayan Chatterjee (Mumbai) (13mins, 31.977secs); 2. Nirmal Umashankar (Chennai) (13:34.309); 3. A Bala Prasath (Coimbatore) (13:34.805). Race-2: 1. Vishnu Prasad (Chennai) (13:34.363); 2. Sandeep Kumar (Chennai) (13:35.140); 3. Raghul Rangasamy (Mamallapuram) (13:35.732).

    Indian Touring Cars (Race-1): 1. Arjun Balu (Race Concepts) (15:22.141); 2. Karthik Tharani (VW Motorsports) (15:31.209); 3. Nikanth Ram (Arka Motorsports) (15:38.667).

    Super Stock (Race-1): 1. RP Rajarajan (Performance Racing) (16:23.257); 2. Rithvik Thomas (Race Concepts) (16:25.808); 3. Sudanand Daniel (Race Concepts) (16:27.363).

    Formula LGB 1300 (Race-1): 1. Ashwin Datta (Momentum Motorsports) (15:23.678); 2. Tijil Rao (Momentum Motorsports) (15:25.447); 3. Chirag Ghorpade (Momentum Motorsports) (15:33.840).

    Volkswagen Ameo Class (Race-1): 1. Pratik Sonawane (Pune) (15:36.937); 2. Saurav Bandyopadhyay (Mumbai) (15:41.501); 3. Jeet Jhabakh (15:45.786).

    Formula 4 SEA (Race-1, 11 laps): 1. Shihab Al Habsi (Oman) (20:40.847); 2. Elias Seppanen (Finland) (20:43.526); 3. Alister Yoong (Malaysia) (20:44.174). Race-2 (12 laps): 1. Seppanen (19:57.398); 2. Young (19:57.948); 3. Al Habsi (19:58.826).

  • Ashwin, Vishnu start favourites for Round 3 of 21st JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship

    Ashwin, Vishnu start favourites for Round 3 of 21st JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship

    EURO JK 18 championship leader Chennai’s Ashwin Datta in action.

    Coimbatore, October 13: Round 3 of the 21st JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship will commence here today at the Kari Motor Speedway with the Chennai trio of Ashwin Datta, Vishnu Prasad and Joseph Matthew looking to consolidate their positions on the leaderboard.

    Ashwin, who had surprised everyone with speed and guile this season, has managed to stay ahead of the pack with three podium finishes in the Euro JK 18 category with 51 points. He will be looking anxiously over this shoulder as he has a slender two-point lead.

    Mumbai’s Nayan Chatterjee

    Nayan Chatterjee (49 points) was breathing fire in Round 2 and will be keen to carry that momentum forward to stake his claim for the championship in the final round next month.

    “The championship has reached a very exciting stage, with anyone capable of winning in each of the championships,” Sanjay Sharma, Head of JK Motorsports, said. “It is going to be an intense battle this weekend.”

    In the LGB 4 category, MSport’s Vishnu was at his imperious best in the last round, winning two races and finishing second in one to gather a total of 28 points. With 50 points in the kitty from two rounds, he will look to widen the gap further at the top. Vishnu, however will be wary of his buddy and team-mate Raghul Rangasamy who is not too far behind him at 45 points.

    In the JK Tyre Novice Cup, all eyes will be on 14-year-old Tijil Rao of Momentum Motorsports, who annexed his maiden win to end the round with 13 points. He is currently third in the championship standings. Tijil’s team-mate Siddharth Mehdiratta is currently leading the standings with 16 points, just one ahead of but Viswas Vijayaraj.

    Chennai’s Vishnu Prasad

    Defending champion Joseph Matthew of Chennai continues to rule the Suzuki Gixxer Cup. He is yet to drop a point in the championship and has four wins from as many starts for a total of 40 points. He will be the man to beat once again.

    The top 3 after Round 2 – EURO JK 18: Ashwin Datta – 51 points; Nayan Chatterjee – 49 points; Brayan Perera – 43 points

    LGB Formula 4: Vishnu Prasad (Msport) – 50 points; Raghul Rangasamy (Msport) – 45 points; Rohit Khanna – 37 points

    NOVICE CUP: Siddharth Mehdiratta (Momentum Motorsports) – 16 points; Viswas Vijayraj (DTS Racing) – 15 points; Tijil Rao (Momentum Motorsports) – 13 points.

    JK Tyre Suzuki Gixxer Cup: Joseph Matthew – 40 points; Syed Muzzammil Ali – 30 points; Malsawmdawngliana – 21 points.