MUMBAI: Pune-based racers proved their mettle at the Ajmera IndiKarting Clash of Go-Karts event here, which saw over 500 entries with over 177 participants finally qualifying. Racers from all around the country were in attendance including from, Kashmir, Kerala, Vijayawada, Gujarat, Haryana and other places.
Sarvesh Bode, was the star of the Pro Senior Category and won the overall title of the Clash of the Pros. After three rounds, the young college student emerged as the undisputed leader thanks to four race victories and two runner up podiums out of a total of nine races.
He claimed the title with 66 points ahead of Mumbai racers Aaroh Ravindra (40 Points) and Mihir Patel (38 points). Another Pune Racer--Jonathan Kuriakose, the 2016 National Champion, finished third in Race 3 and third overall in Round 3 of the Clash of Pros. He also had a runner up finish in Round 2, but had to miss the first of three rounds and finished fifth overall after considering all nine races.
In the Pro Cadet Category, Nigel Shaju emerged as the second runner-up after nine races. The 11-year-old from Pune, at a disadvantage due to lack of practice, had 44 points in total. Mumbai’s Raiden Samervel and Nirvaan Chandna were ahead of him.
Diana Pundole from Pune was the clear favourite to win the Women’s category. She started on pole position and quickly built up a sizeable lead. Just when she looked like she had won the race, a backmarker (driver who is one lap down) turned into Diana, causing her to spin around. She almost fell to third position but pushed hard to reach the new leader.
Unfortunately she ran out of laps and was unable to regain the lead. Jhanvi Bhavsar won, while Namasvi Bhuptani was third.
The Master category saw Pune’s Sumit Kulkarni finish second behind Prasad Iyer from Mumbai. Sumit had earlier qualified fourth, but finished second in the semi finals, which allowed him to start in the same position for the finals. A good start saw him keep his position, but he was constantly under threat Prashant Sonpar who eventually finished third, right behind Sumit.
“Inspite of shutting the circuit in Pune, there has been a good response from Pune racers. Hopefully we can have another circuit in Pune again. Sarvesh has been consistently putting in a lot of effort and has been winning racers. He has a lot of potential and will hopefully go further if he can get the required funding,” said eight-time National Champion and founder of IndiKarting - Rayomand Banajee.
The Akshay Patil Memorial Trophy, constituted in honour of Pune racing driver Akshay Patil, who passed away, over a year ago, was awarded to Mumbai’s Mihir Patel.
RESULTS:
Clash of the Pros Overall:
Pro Senior: 1. Sarvesh Bode (66 points); 2. Aaroh Ravindra (40 points); 3. Mihir Patel (38 points).
Pro Junior: 1. Shaurya Kapani (84 points); 2. Tej Patel (62 points); 3. Veer Sheth (39 points).
Pro Cadet: 1. Raiden Samervel (86 points); 2. Nirvaan Chandna (76 points); 3. Nigel Shaju (44 points).
Clash of the Pros (Round 3):
Pro Senior: 1. Aaroh Ravindra; 2. Danesh Banajee; 3. Jonathan Kuriakose
Pro Junior: 1. Shaurya Kapani; 2. Veer Sheth; 3. Hoshmand Elavia
Pro Cadet: 1. Raiden Samervel; 2. Nirvaan Chandna; 3. Nigel Shaju
Other results:
Open: 1. Aman Singh Bhui; 2. Danesh Banajee; 3. Akshay More.
Amateur: 1. Jamie Shaw; 2. Ayan Sharma; 3. Chandan Hegde
Inter School: 1. Raghav Vaishnav (St. Lawrence High); 2. Tej Patel (Podar International); 3. Aziz Hirkani (Lilavati Podar).
Inter College: Jamie Shaw (Jai Hind); 2. Madhav Krishna (Cathedral & John Connon); 3. Ayan Sharma (Shubham Raje).
Veteran: 1. Suraj Singh Bhui; 2. Danesh Banajee; 3. Monish Jain.
Corporate: 1. Aman Singh Bhui (Amrit Elastomers); 2. Monish Jain (Heena Gems); 3. Akshay More (DINS Technology)
Senior Plus: 1. Utsav Thakkar; 2. Yash Doshi; 3. Raghav Vaishnav,