Sarath Kumar scores points in Round 1

David Bodapati April 3, 2017

999 1 minute read

Sarath Kumar in action at Johor Bahru on Sunday. A Honda Ten10 image

Johor Bahru (Malaysia), 3 April 2017: Shankar Sarath Kumar, representing RAMA Honda Racing by NTS T.Pro Ten10 team, and supported by Honda 2Wheelers India, made a promising start to his campaign in the 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship by picking up points in the SuperSport 600cc class double-header here over the weekend.

Chennai-based Sarath, coming back from a knee injury, improved his time and consistency, and appeared more comfortable with the bike, Honda CBR 600WR, especially in Race 2, while scoring points in both the races.

The other Indian in the fray, Rajiv Sethu, also in the RAMA Honda Racing team by NTS T.Pro Ten10 team livery, and participating in the Asia Production 250cc class,became the first rider from his country to race a Honda CBR 250RR.

With limited development time and test, the Chennai-based youngster made good use of the platform to finish ahead of few bikes on the grid to hold out great promise at the start of the new season.

Sarath and Sethu are part of a five-rider contingent in two classes, backed by John Sudheer of RAMA Group of Companies and who is also the team ambassador.

For RAMA Honda Racing team by NTS T.Pro Ten10 team, it was a fruitful weekend in the SuperSport 600cc class as Japanese ace Tiga Hada delivered two podium finishes in the double-header. He finished second in Race-1 and won Race-2 to take an early lead in the championship.

Reflecting on his performance in the first round, Sarath Kumar said: “Although I fell down in preliminary tests and hurt my right shoulder, I was able to ride without any problem. We communicated well with the new mechanics and I hope to improve step by step. I am happy that I scored points in both the races.”

Rajiv Sethu said: “I am thankful to the team for able to finish the race safely. It was a learning curve for me, racing with quality riders. It was a first time for me and my team and I hope to grow as the season progresses.”

Team Owner, Yusuke Teshima: “We appreciate the cooperation of many people and I am thankful that the season of the Asia Road Race Championship has started in this way. We are proud that Tiga Hada achieved victory in the first round and it is a good start to the season. We are also thankful to our supporters RAMA, NTS, Honda, WebikeMSK.”

eom/AP Media Comm press release