Arjun Maini wins Race 1: Round 3 of JK Racing India Series
Greater Noida, 28 Sept 2013: Thousands of motorsports fans got their fill as they witnessed top-quality racing as the Round 3 of 16th JK Tyre Racing Championship got underway in right earnest at the Buddh International Circuit under clear blue skies. For the first time this year, the country’s premier most racing championship brought together India’s best young racing talent to the 5.14km Formula One track much to the delight of fans and the public.
Those who braved the hot and humid conditions were rewarded with high-speed action, precision driving, breathtaking overtaking manoeuvres and edge of the seat fights for track positions. The 60 drivers from across the country are taking part in this speed fest, according to a JK Tyre press release.
The highlight of the day, of course, was the newly introduced JK Racing India Series, which uses international spec FB02 cars built around Mygale chassis and powered by 1.2-litre BMW engine. All eyes were on young Mahavir Rangunathan, who claimed pole in the qualifying races held earlier in the day by a mere 1/100thof a second ahead of Arjun Mani and championship leader Vishnu Prasad among other.
As the five red lights went out, Mahavir made a clean getaway with Arjun, Vishnu and the rest of the pack in hot pursuit. The Chennai driver managed to keep Maini behind him for a couple of opening laps, but “in an epic overtaking manoeuvre” Maini overtook the pole man. Once ahead, the 15-year-old racer of Bangalore controlled the pace brilliantly ahead even as Vishnu and Karminder, who started from third and sixth place on the start grid made their moves on Mahavir.
“It was quite frustrating to be stuck behind Mahavir for the first few laps, but then I would say it was an epic moment when I finally managed to overtake him. Once I got in front, I just kept my head down to string together as many consistent laps as possible. I am happy to win the first race of the weekend of the JK FB02 and my aim is to win the remaining two races on Sunday,” said Arjun looking back on his win in the gruelling 10 lap race, who also claimed the fastest lap of the race with the best time of 2:12:509.
Vishnu, who cleaned up the opposition by taking all three wins in the second round at Coimbatore, had to be satisfied with second place. “I did what I could, but Arjun had good pace and I couldn’t overtake him. Still I am satisfied with today’s result and it gives me motivation to better the result in the second and third races of JK FB02,” said Vishnu.
Despite finishing third, Karminder Singh, sported the biggest grin among the podium finishers. This was the maiden podium for Karminder in JK FB02 and to sweeten things, it came in front of home fans of the Delhi based racing driver. “I didn’t make the best of starts, but I realised that I needed to keep things clean and consistent. In the end, it paid off and I am thrilled that my first podium came on my home track,” said Karminder recalling his race.
In the JK Tyre Volkswagen Polo R Cup, South African driver, Jeffery Kruger, claimed the top step of the podium with a total time of 20:15.281. Mumbai-based Rahil Noorani finished in second place, while the last step of the podium was claimed by Angad Matharoo from Chandigarh.
In the FLGB Formula 4, it was a Saraosh Hataria show all the way. The Dark Don Racing driver from Coimbatore, who is leading the championship with 106 points, claimed the first golden three of the weekend. Sarosh first claimed pole and then went on to dominate the race and went further to post the fastest lap of the race. Sarosh took the eight lap race with a total time of 20:58:845. The remaining two places on the podium were also swept by Dark Don Racing drivers. Karthik Krishna claimed second place with a time of 21:00.035 and Advait Deodhar finished in third place. “It was a very satisfying victory for me. As a team we have been working very hard right from the start of the season, so when it pays off you feel very motivated and charged. This was a very good race for us as we claimed all the three places on the podium,” said Sarosh.
JK Racing India Series (JK FB02): Race-1: 1. Arjun Maini 22:15:289 2. Vishnu Prasad (22:18:835) 3. Karminder Singh (22:35:686).
FLGB Formula 4: Race 1: 1. Sarosh Hataria (20:58:845) 2. Kartik Krishna (21:00:035) 3. Advit Deodhar (21:00:827)
September 29, Greater Noida: Thousands of motorsports fans got their fill as they witnessed top-quality racing as the Round 3 of 16th JK Tyre Racing Championship got underway in right earnest at the Buddh International Circuit under clear blue skies. For the first time this year, the country’s premier most racing championship brought together India’s best young racing talent to the 5.14km Formula One track much to the delight of fans and the public.
Those who braved the hot and humid conditions were rewarded with high-speed action, precision driving, breathtaking overtaking manoeuvres and edge of the seat fights for track positions. The 60 drivers from across the country taking part in this speed fest put their best foot forward.
The highlight of the day, of course, was the newly introduced JK Racing India Series, which uses international spec FB02 cars built around Mygale chassis and powered by 1.2-litre BMW engine. All eyes were on young Mahavir Rangunathan, who claimed pole in the qualifying races held earlier in the day by a mere 1/100thof a second ahead of Arjun Mani and championship leader Vishnu Prasad among other.
As the five red lights went out, Mahavir made a clean getaway with Arjun, Vishnu and the rest of the pack in hot pursuit. The Chennai driver managed to keep Maini behind him for a couple of opening laps, but “in an epic overtaking manoeuvre” Maini overtook the pole man. Once ahead, the 15-year-old racer of Bangalore controlled the pace brilliantly ahead even as Vishnu and Karminder, who started from third and sixth place on the start grid made their moves on Mahavir.
“It was quite frustrating to be stuck behind Mahavir for the first few laps, but then I would say it was an epic moment when I finally managed to overtake him. Once I got in front, I just kept my head down to string together as many consistent laps as possible. I am happy to win the first race of the weekend of the JK FB02 and my aim is to win the remaining two races on Sunday,” said Arjun looking back on his win in the gruelling 10 lap race, who also claimed the fastest lap of the race with the best time of 2:12:509.
Vishnu, who cleaned up the opposition by taking all three wins in the second round at Coimbatore, had to be satisfied with second place. “I did what I could, but Arjun had good pace and I couldn’t overtake him. Still I am satisfied with today’s result and it gives me motivation to better the result in the second and third races of JK FB02,” said Vishnu.
Despite finishing third, Karminder Singh, sported the biggest grin among the podium finishers. This was the maiden podium for Karminder in JK FB02 and to sweeten things, it came in front of home fans of the Delhi based racing driver. “I didn’t make the best of starts, but I realised that I needed to keep things clean and consistent. In the end, it paid off and I am thrilled that my first podium came on my home track,” said Karminder recalling his race.
In the JK Tyre Volkswagen Polo R Cup, South African driver, Jeffery Kruger, claimed the top step of the podium with a total time of 20:15.281. Mumbai-based Rahil Noorani finished in second place, while the last step of the podium was claimed by Angad Matharoo from Chandigarh.
In the FLGB Formula 4, it was a Saraosh Hataria show all the way. The Dark Don Racing driver from Coimbatore, who is leading the championship with 106 points, claimed the first golden three of the weekend. Sarosh first claimed pole and then went on to dominate the race and went further to post the fastest lap of the race. Sarosh took the eight lap race with a total time of 20:58:845. The remaining two places on the podium were also swept by Dark Don Racing drivers. Karthik Krishna claimed second place with a time of 21:00.035 and Advait Deodhar finished in third place. “It was a very satisfying victory for me. As a team we have been working very hard right from the start of the season, so when it pays off you feel very motivated and charged. This was a very good race for us as we claimed all the three places on the podium,” said Sarosh.
JK Racing India Series (JK FB02): Race-1: 1. Arjun Maini 22:15:289 2. Vishnu Prasad (22:18:835) 3. Karminder Singh (22:35:686).
FLGB Formula 4: Race 1: 1. Sarosh Hataria (20:58:845) 2. Kartik Krishna (21:00:035) 3. Advit Deodhar (21:00:827)
JK Tyre Volkswagen Polo R Cup- Race1: 1. Jeffery Kruger (20:15:281) 2. Rahil Noorani (20:26:251) 3. Angad Matharoo (20:27:352)
1. Jeffery Kruger (20:15:281) 2. Rahil Noorani (20:26:251) 3. Angad Matharoo (20:27:352)
ends