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CAN YOU BEAT THE FASTEST INDIAN? AT HYDERABAD ON 28 JANUARY 2005 NARAIN KARTHIKEYAN, SCORCHES HYDERABAD |
Alok Katakam and C Raghunath Babu become eligible for finals of ‘Can you Beat the Fastest Indian’ go-karting challenge.
The Fastest Indian in the World, Narain Karthikeyan was in ruthless form at Hyderabad, setting an incredible pace at the Runway 9 circuit in the third round of the ‘Can You Beat the Fastest Indian’ go-karting challenge. Presented by Tata Racing, SPEED from Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd. and Red Bull energy drink and organized by OVERDRIVE Magazine and Sportscraft, the challenge has been designed to promote up and coming karting talent across the country. The challenge gives young karters a once in life-time opportunity to pitch their nascent skills against that of the best racing driver in the country in addition to being a fantastic platform to learn the finer techniques of karting from the Speedmaster himself.
After lapping the karting circuits at Goa and Bangalore, Narain Karthikeyan came down to the Runway 9 in Hyderabad and straight off set a scorching pace in the practice session itself. Karthikeyan displayed incredible race craft in the high-power 2-stroke Comer karts that were to prove more than a handful for most participants thanks to the slippery nature of the circuit and the cool overcast conditions that didn’t help matters.
Qualifying was held in the morning session to shortlist the 24 quickest drivers who would get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to beat the lap time set by Karthikeyan in the same kart, on the same tyres and under similar conditions. A fairer and more level playing field has never been seen before especially considering all competitors were ballasted to 60kilos to negate the weight advantage that lighter drivers might have had.
As per the format followed at the previous round Karthikeyan set the evenings proceedings rolling by setting three flying laps, the best of which was timed at 42.890seconds. Almost immediately though unseasonal showers put and end to the days proceedings and the event was postponed to the next morning since the wet track was virtually undriveable on. The next morning the 24 qualifiers were then set out one-by-one for their three flying laps, the best of which would be compared against that of Karthikeyan’s.
Of the aspirants Hyderabad lad Alok Katakam setting the quickest time of 45.594sec. In fact Alok was the quickest in the earlier practice and qualifying sessions and did his reputation proud though he failed to beat the time set by the Speedmaster. His mastery over the rest of the field was tremendous with the second quickest driver, C Raghunath Babu nearly three seconds behind with Mazdayar Vatcha a further tenth behind. Breathtaking stuff, courtesy the Hyderabad boys.
Narain Karthikeyan, who had to leave for Mumbai urgently in anticipation of a major racing announcement, was all praise for the Hyderabad karters. “The track is very slippery and mastering these powerful karts needs a lot of skill. These guys have proved their race-craft and hope they get an opportunity to compete in higher classes of motorsport. Congratulations to the winners and hope they do their city proud at the finals in Mumbai.”
The quickest three drivers won a crate of the Red Bull energy drink, a gift voucher from SPEED, an exquisite timepiece from Tata Racing and a highly detailed scale model from OVERDRIVE. The top two go to the grand finals to be held at Mumbai on the 6th of February and will get another opportunity to beat the time set by Narain Karthikeyan. However the top two from Hyderabad aren’t entitled to the start money of Rs.8000 since they failed to beat the Speedmasters time.
The five-round karting challenge next moves to Mumbai for the last of the regional rounds on the 3rd of February before the grand finals at the same circuit. The winner of the grand finals bags an all-expense paid trip to Malaysia to witness the second round of the Formula 1 world championship. In addition the winner of the race between the regional round champions will also get an all-expense paid trip to Malaysia for the F1 round.
The “Can You Beat the Fastest Indian” go-kart challenge is held under the sporting code of the FIA and the CIK, the international governing bodies for Motorsport and Karting.
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