The Championship which was launched in 1997 by JK Tyre has now become the revered launch pad for budding motorsport talents in the country. Round one held recently at the Kari Motor Speedway witnessed some fierce racing throughout the field in all 11 races over the weekend.
Day 1 witnessed two races of the Euro JK 17, the flagship racing series, along with one race of the LGB4 category. The motorcycle series had two races each - the Gixxer Cup round followed by the Road to Rookie Cup.
Chennai’s Vishnu Prasad dominated the proceedings in the Euro JK 17 races after winning both the races in the category. He had started fourth after qualifying concerns, but he managed to whip out a stellar first lap to gain the lead which he held till the end of the race.
The motorcycle races started with the Road to Rookie Cup, which Suzuki, along with JK Tyre, organised in order to create a platform for young and budding motorcycle racers. The experienced Jaden Gunawardena from Sri Lanka took pole position. Lalhruaizela and Lalnunsanga from Aizawl, Mizoram took the second and third positions respectively.
The second day began with Formula LGB4 with Chittesh Mandody managing to pass the golden boy, Vishnu Prasad, after a long battle through the race. Starting from the pole, he maintained his lead throughout despite the safety car coming in to take the win followed closely by Vishnu Prasad again, and Saran Vikram finished third in the second LGB4 race of the day.
The Gixxer Cup was dominated again by Joseph Mathew right from the beginning. Number #23 Lalmawipuia attempted a double overtake on the fellow Mizoram rider Malsawmdawngliana and race leader Joseph. However, he had to cede the lead back to the two again after a few corners.
In the Road to Rookies Cup, Sri Lanka’s Jaden G registered another undisputed win. Varoon S, fought the Lalhruaizela and Lalnunsanga to claim the second position.
Subsequent rounds of the JKNRC will be held at MMRT in Chennai and BIC in Delhi as the season progresses.
Results of Euro JK 17–
Race 1: 1. Vishnu Prasad; 2. Nayan Chatterjee; 3. Anindith Reddy
Race 2 : 1. Vishnu Prasad; 2. Anindith Reddy; 3. Nayan Chatterjee
Results of LGB4 -
1. Chittesh Mandody; 2. Diljith TS; 3. Saran Vikram
Results of Gixxer Cup -
1. Joseph Mathew; 2. Sanjeev Mhatre; 3. Lalmawipuia