CHENNAI: The fourth leg of the six-round Petronas Asian Road Racing Championship that begins

05/09/2009

Sporty India Updated

CHENNAI: The fourth leg of the six-round Petronas Asian Road Racing Championship that begins with a qualifying session at the Madras Motor Race track here on Saturday will provide a platform for Indian riders to deliver in front of a home audience at the international level.

The track at Irungattukottai bore a brand new look on Friday. And so it should have, considering the time, effort and money spent dolling it up for the marquee event.

With over a month of preparations in place, the circuit proved up to the critical analysis Ron Hogg of Malaysia’s Two Wheels Motor Racing subjected it to.

“I’m happy with the track conditions. I had come here a month ago and advised the Madras Motor Sports Club to work on certain areas such as the gravel traps, ‘run off’ areas and tyre barriers. Everything looks fine now.”
Technical circuit

Hogg pointed out that it would be unrealistic to expect top speeds on Sunday because the track did not have long straight stretches. “It is more of a technical circuit,” he added.

India, and Indian teams, will be represented in all three scheduled events. Other names apart, home hopes will rest principally on K. Rajani and Preetham Dev Moses (both Red Rooster Racing) in the 600cc Superbikes category, Harry Sylvester and K. Jagan in the UAM 125 cc, and T.K. Vishwanath and Karthik (both TVS) in the 115 cc Underbones.

Preetham, who sits at number 15 overall with 15 championship points, is likely to benefit from competing in the early rounds.

The biker, who turns 29 on the day of the qualifiers, said he was excited about racing at home and that little compared to the experience of riding a superbike.

“It is a dream come true for me…the pressure will always be there, but I know this track well and will, hopefully, use that to my advantage.

Riding a superbike is mind-blowing. After a while you feel like you are flying and forget everything else.”

Preetham also indicated his goals for the season. “Right now my main focus is to finish in the top five. If I manage to be in the top three, then that will be a bonus.”