JK Tyre – FMSCI Rotax Max National Karting Championship 2011 opens with some thundering performances by the drivers

~Kolhapur lad Chittesh Mandody won in the Senior Max category~

~Maini brothers from Bangalore Arjun Maini and Kush Maini dominated in the Junior and the Micro Max category~

Kolhapur, June 5, 2011: The maiden round of the 8th edition of the JK Tyre FMSCI Rotax Max National Karting Championship got off to a rousing start on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at the 1.1 km long track Circuit 09 in Kolhapur. 39 drivers from across the country stormed the tracks with some heart pulsating action and thrilling races over two days of the weekend. The weather did try to play spoilsport as the city received heavy rainfalls on the qualifying day but it did not deter the drivers' confidence in giving their best shot during the race weekend.

Day 1 witnessed the qualifying & the heat races which was well contested by all the participants. All the three classes witnessed a very fierce tussle between the top karters of the country fighting for the top positions on the grid on day one. In the Micro Max category, Pradyumna Danigond finished first followed by Akash Gowda and Kavin Vinay Lazarus. In the Junior Max category, Krishnaraj Mahadik led in the top slot, He was followed closely by Tarun Reddy and Akhil Ranibdra. In the Senior Max category, Ameya Bafna finished first followed by Chittesh Mandody in the second place. Vishnu Prasad finished third in the qualifying round.

The pre–finals and the final rounds were held on Sunday, June 5, 2011. Tables turned drastically as none of the winners of the qualifying races across categories managed to finish podium in the pre–final and the final race. The pre–finals witnessed an engaging battle between the top drivers. In the Micro Max category, young Bangalorean Kush Maini from Team Maini Racing, Gaurav Prakash Marne from Kolhapur from Team Mohites Racing and Kavin Vinay Lazarus from New Delhi from Team Mohites Racing lead the grid in the first, second and third positions respectively. In the Junior Max, there was a lot of scrutiny over the final results because of a crash between Bangalore boy Arjun Maini of Team Maini Racing and Kolhapur lad Dhruv Mohite of Team Mohites Racing. However, the final result was Mumbaikar Jehan Daruvala of Team Rayo Racing who finished first followed by Tarun Reddy of Team Meco Racing. Kolhapur lad Krishnaraj Mahadik of Team Mohites Racing finished third. It was a clean race in the Senior Max category as Chittesh Mandody from Kolhapur from Team Mohites Racing emerged as the clear winner followed by Chennai lad Vishnu Prasad from Team Meco Racing. Sandeep Kumar of Chennai from Team Meco Racing finished third. Ameya Bafna who started in the second position lost out on his position in the top three could only finish 6 laps.

The engines revved up as the drivers in the Micro Max category were ready for the final round of Round 1 of the championship. Kush Maini led the formation lap followed and continued to lead in the races as they began. He sat on a comfortable lead but the real battle was behind him for the second and third position with drivers like Akash Gowda, Mira Kirti Erda, Gaurav Prakesh Marne and Kavin Vinay Lazarus fought intensively for the positions. After being overtaken a lot of times by his close rivals, Akash Gowda finally made it to the second position in the grid and following him was Gaurav Prakash Marne. The only girl contestant in the grid, Mira did not let the boys succeed easily and gave them a tough competition. Her performance in Round 1 is highly commendable. The best team trophy award went to Team Maini Racing.

After being declared the winner, Kush Maini of Micro Max category said, "I feel very good and confident as it was a great start to the championship by winning both the pre–finals and the finals. My qualifying was a disaster as I had a mechanical problem but slowly made my way up through the heats. I'm looking forward to the next round in Kolhapur."

Light drizzles delayed the Junior Max races by some time but once the drivers were there, the race was worth a watch. While Jehan Daruvala started off in the first place in the 20 laps final in the Junior Max category, he couldn' hold on to his lead position for long as Arjun Maini overtook him after 6 laps. Unperturbed by his defeat in the pre–finals, the passion and commitment of the 12 year old led him to victory as he took the chequered flag. Following him was Jehan Daruvala and third place was taken by Dhruv Mohite. Team Maini Racing was awarded the Team trophy once again.

An elated Arjun Maini, winner of Junior Max said, "It felt good to win the opening round of the championship. I started fourth for the finals and I was confident that I had the pace. My kart gave me as much support as I needed to win and also set the fastest lap. I had a good start and moved into the second quickly and then after around 6 laps I overtook to take the lead and held on to the position."

It was a great day for Chittesh Mandody who commenced the season on a winning note by racing away to his first podium of the season in the Senior category. Chittesh got off to a good start and ensured that he maintained his lead till the end. Giving him close competition was Vishnu Prasad but then Chittesh managed to take a comfortable lead after ten laps leaving the Chennai lad way behind. Following them in the third slot was Sandeep Kumar. The team trophy in the Senior class was bagged by Team Mohites Racing.

Chittesh Mandody said, "The race was good. I had a tough start as the first ten laps Vishnu Prasad was too close but I thoroughly enjoyed the race. I thank my team, my father for being a wonderful support and I look forward to the next round of races."

It was a great weekend and the participants are looking forward to the next round scheduled in Kolhapur on June 11–12, 2011.

Results:

Micro Max (15 LAPS): 1st –Kush Maini – 12:10:231, 2nd– Akash Gowda –12:19:893, 3rd – Gaurav Prakash Marni – 12:20:378

Junior Max (20 LAPS): 1st – Arjun Maini –14:40:115, 2nd – Jehan Daruvala– 14:41:745, 3rd – Dhruv Mohite– 14:51:617

Senior Max (22 LAPS) – 1st – Chittesh Mandody– 16:11:437, 2nd – Vishnu Prasad– 16:16:743, 3rd – Sandeep Kumar: 16:31:658