Round 4 of National 2-Wheeler Racing Championship from Friday, January 7
Country’s top two-wheeler manufacturers – TVS, Honda, KTM and Yamaha – and racers congregate at the iconic MMRT circuit after a three-month break for the fourth round of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2021 commencing on Friday, January 7, with over 100 entries in the fray.
It being the penultimate round of the 2021 championship that spilled into the New Year due to the pandemic, the focus would be on the points leaders in various categories who will be looking to consolidate their respective positions. However, if the previous three rounds are any guide, then the competition is expected to be as fierce and close, thus providing for plenty of excitement.
Promoters Madras Motor Sports Club, in their 70th year, have scheduled a card of 18 races with Covid-19 safety protocols in place, besides practice and qualifying sessions spread over three days that promise another dose of high octane action.
Multiple National champions Rajini Krishnan (RACR Castrol Power Racing) and Jagan Kumar (TVS Racing) head the championship stakes in the premier Pro-Stock 301-400cc and 165cc categories, respectively, with three wins apiece, though neither can afford to relax despite enjoying sizeable leads in the points table.
The situation is somewhat similar in the two other National championship categories. Thrissur’s Anfal Akdhar (Rockstar Racing) enjoys a 10-point advantage in the Novice (Stock 165cc) category while local challenger Ryhana Bee (RACR Castrol Power Racing) has a 30-point cushion in the Girls (Stock 165cc) class following an unbeaten run.
Amarnath Menon from Kozhikode (Open, RTR 310), Kolhapur’s Jinendra Kiran Sangave (Rookie, RTR 200) and Chennai teenager Rakshita Dave (Girls, RTR 200) head the respective leaderboards in the TVS One-Make Championship organized by the Madras Motor Sports Club.
The Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup has thrown up firm favourites after three rounds. Chennai teenager Kavin Quintal (NSF 250R), who is the only Indian selected for the Asia Talent Cup organized by Dorna Sports, and Prakash Kamath from Bokaro Steel City (CBR 150R) head their respective categories.
Looking ahead to the weekend, MMSC president Ajit Thomas said: “At the outset, MMSC wishes the motorsport fraternity and the Media a happy New Year. These are difficult and challenging times in view of the pandemic, but they have not dampened the enthusiasm of the competitors, the teams and the manufacturers, going by the number of entries. We remain indebted to them and also our sponsors MRF Tyres, for their whole-hearted support. And so, as before, we look forward to another weekend of keen competition.”
About Madras Motor Sports Club
Since its humble beginnings in 1953, the Madras Motor Sports Club has grown in stature as the hub of motorsport activity in India. Having moved its racing activities from Sholavaram to its present location, the MMRT circuit in Sriperumbudur in 1979, MMSC has kept pace with changing times by upgrading facilities. At a cost of about Rs 20 Crore, the MMSC built a pit complex comprising 20 garages, VIP hospitality suites and a viewing gallery, on the eastern side, apart from a second Paddock on the western side with its own short circuit. Parallelly, MMSC imported timing equipment specifically for Drag racing. The Control Room too was upgraded with state-of-the-art hardware while the track itself was improved to meet the exacting FIA standards for Grade-2 certification. MMSC also constructed a 500-capacity grand stand with provision for garages / storage below. In another upgrade, the MMSC purchased Digi flags from TAG Heuer Chronolec that will be positioned strategically around the track. The facilities are also extensively used by various vehicle manufacturers for testing their products, displays and corporate days.