Disappointing end to Sailesh’s debut Euro Racecar weekend

1 April, Nogaro (France): After promising start and progress, Sailesh Bolisetti’s debut weekend ended on a disappointing note after he finished 20^th in the final race of the opening round of the 2013 Euro Racecar season.

Having qualified 18^th and posting massive improvements in his very first race on Sunday to finish 13^th, the 24–year old from Vizag was expecting more improvement despite the torrential downpour that returned on Monday.

After Sailesh nailed the rolling start yet again and gained a few places, trouble was already brewing as a cold start meant that there was fuel vapour in the cockpit and he could barely keep his eyes open.

“Conditions were difficult to start with – visibility was really low because of the rain but I somehow managed to hold on. The car felt really good and we had the pace – in fact it felt better than yesterday.

“But once my eyes started watering, I had to rub them continuously in order to see properly.

Sailesh was running 15^th when he had contact with another car that sent him off track, and he rejoined dead last.

As a result of the impact, there was some damage to the suspension and the alignment of the tyres was thrown out, making the car impossible to control in the wet. But Sailesh managed to haul in a couple of cars and finish 20^th.

“After going off and coming back onto the track, the car was all over the place. So it was just about bringing it home. At one point I didn’t think it’d be possible as I could barely see anything, so it was a relief to finally see the chequered flag.”

Round two of the Euro Racecar Series is scheduled at the historic F1 track – Dijon in France on May 11.

“Obviously I was expecting a far better result to round off my debut weekend, but it wasn’t to be. But I’m happy with the progress we made – from the first practice to the races.

“I am now looking forward to getting back to sunshine in India after spending the last three weeks in uncharacteristically bleak South France and recharge myself for Dijon which is a track with some great history and character.”