Heartbreak for Ashwin Datta as Sandeep conquers title

Amir Sayed Novice champion

David Bodapati January 24, 2021

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Anushriya Gulati, centre, along with Sandeep, right, and Sayeed, the Champions of the 23rd JK Tyre-FMSCI National Racing on 23 Jan 2021. A JK Photo

Coimbatore, 26 Jan. 2021: Racing ace Sandeep Kumar of Chennai clinched the Formula LGB 4 class as he brought out all his experience to keep his cool for his first major National title with a podium in the last race of the season in the 23rd JK Tyre fmsci National Racing Championship at the Kari Motor Speedway here on Sunday.

Youngster Amir Sayed from Kottayam annexed the Rookie championship even as all eyes were focussed on the title fight in the higher class where championship leader Ashwin Dutta, missed the title by a whisker. The Formula LGB 4 season provided all the thrills and even the last race to decide the winner proved to be a thriller till the last corner of the last lap. But all the chaos and mechanical hiccups were a heartbreak for Ashwin Datta. In a fight between two Dark Don teammates, both from Chennai, Datta began the day with brake issues and logged zero points in Race 1 in the morning yielding much ground to Sandeep.

The loss was a double whammy as he had to start from the back of the grid for the 12th and final race of the season, which saw the formation lap run for three times before the race was restarted. Ashwin lost his focus and in a melee at the first corner, he was forced to retire after contact with other cars, leaving his teammate from Dark Don in best position to win the championship.

Sandeep, the 28-year advocate, brought to the fore all his vast experience and played it cool. The 2012 Scirocco cup awardee, who spent two years in Europe, thus gained his first National Championship title, taking second in the final race. He logged 66 points to Ashwin’s 63.Vishnu Prasad, was third with 54 points.

“I kept my cool and did my job. The final standings have to be tabulated,” said Sandeep.

Meanwhile, teen sensation Amir Sayed won the Novice Cup. “I enjoyed myself and it was fun driving in this championship. I am happy to win the title,” said Amir, who logged 120 points with an all-win record.

He was extremely happy to be crowned champion but kept his emotions in check. There was no undue celebration and even on the podium, he was well in control. “It has been a very thrilling and satisfying championship for me,” said Amir.

Amir, who had started from Karting, is a debutant in the racing championship. He talks about the transition, “I spent a lot of time with Vishnu Prasad on the tracks in Chennai and Coimbatore. He has mentored and guided me and that is why I could do well in this championship,” added Amir. The obvious plan for the next seasons for Amir would be to shift gears and move to the higher category.

Provisional Race Results: Formula LGB 4 (Race 4 -14 laps): 1. Mohamed Ryan – MSport – 20:21.929; 2. Vishnu Prasad – MSport – 20:23.545; 3. Arya Singh- Dark Don Racing – 20:25.170.

Race 5 (15 laps): 1. Diljith TS –Dark Don Racing- 23:58.426; 2. Sandeep Kumar A – Dark Don Racing – 23:58.890; 3. Sarosh Hataria – Ahura Racing – 23:59.793

Race 6: (15 laps): 1. Vishnu Prasad- MSport –21:01.907; 2. Mohamed Ryan – Msport –21:07.490; 3. Sarish Hatarai – Ahura Racing – 21:14.292.

JK Tyre Novice Cup: Race 5 (10 laps): 1. Amir Sayed- MSport – 14:17.157; 2. Chetan Surineni – Momentum Motorsports – 14:31.672; 3. Aman Chaudhary- DTS Racing – 14:32.509;

Race 6 (10 laps): 1. Amir Sayed- MSport – 16:34.084; 2. Chetan Surineni- Momentum Motorsports- 16:56.452; 3. Neym Rizvi- MSport- 17:01.933;

Overall Championship Standings:

LGB Formula 4

1. Champion: Sandeep Kumar, Dark Don Racing –66 points;

2. Ashwin Datta, Dark Don Racing –63 points;

3. Vishnu Prasad, MSport –54 points

Novice Cup

1. Champion: Amir Sayed, Msport – 120 points;

2. Dhruvin Gajjar, DTS Racing –49 points;

3. Aman Chaudhary, DTS Racing –46 points.

Ladies Class

1. Champion: Anushriya Gulati, Ahura Racing;