6 rounds of gruelling bike racing...... scorching the race tracks at Coimbatore & Chennai WIN........ WIN......... ASHWIN !! Meet Ashwin Sundar - Champion of Champions 2006

He is just 17, studying in 12th standard in Saraswati Kendriya Vidyalaya.

When his school mates are busy watching 'cricket', he would be watching either Michael Schumacher speeding in the F1 track or Valentino Rossi taking that turn with his bike almost touching the ground in the FIM Moto GP.

Meet Ashwin Sundar - the 'Champion of Champions 2006'. In December 2006, this youngster achieved a rare distinction of being crowned the National Champion of Champions 2006 in the 2 wheeler road racing.

In the year 2006, there was a total of 6 rounds held for the Indian National Road Racing Championship for 2 wheelers (sponsored by Ucal and Rolon) and approved by The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the Government of India's National Sports Federation on the purpose built tracks at Coimbatore and Chennai. At the end of 6 rounds, Mr.Ashwin Sundar was crowned the "INDIAN CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS 2006".

But how was he drawn towards motorsports ?

"Since childhood days he was interested in speed", says Mr.Sundar, proud father of Ashwin.

Ashwin Sundar (Ashwin) : My Mom used to buy me remote control cars and am always thrilled whenever my father drove his car fast. It was natural that I was drawn towards speed and motorsports.

In 2002, I went to a Go-Kart centre (Kart Beat), I liked it so much, every day, after school, you can see me there. Seeing my interest, they took me to a professional Go-Karting circuit in East Coast Road, Chennai (Danny's Karting).

indmotorsport.com (ims) : Your first event.......

Ashwin : It was in Dannys Karting that I took part in my first Race and won it. Then it was Mr.Akbar Ebrahim who guided me.

ims : You seem to have started with four wheelers, why did you come to 2 wheelers.....

Ashwin : In 2004, I took to bikes, because I thought I could go to higher level in 2 wheeler motorsport, as the money involved is less than that of cars.

ims : When did you join TVS Racing ?

Ashwin : Actually I joined TVS Racing in 2005 and in the same year, I won a few races in 110 cc class and 160 cc class (4 Stroke) but could finish only 4th runner up in the Championship in 110 cc class and 2nd runner up in the 160 cc class.

ims : But you have also been doing well in the Karting & 4 W Racing as well....

Ashwin : Yes, actually in 2002-2003 I won the Intermediate Class in the MRF National GoKarting Championship. In 2003, I finished 2nd in the Dunlop Sprint Race in Malaysia in Rotax Class.

In 2004, in the Formula LGB and Saloon Class of the JK Tyre National Racing Championship, I finished on the podium. In 2005, again it was a podium finish in Saloon Class.

In 2005, I went to Malaysia and underwent training from Mr.Barry Leong, former MotoGP (500 cc) rider.

ims : Your racing experience abroad

Ashwin : In 2006, I joined Team Petronos. I finished on the podium in Malaysian Super Series and finished 1st runner up in the 115cc FIM Asia Road Racing Championship in underbone class. Both these events gave me hands on training and it is this experience that made me win the coveted National Championship in 2006.

ims : How do you manage studies and motorsports

Ashwin : Yes, it is a bit difficult at times. But I must thank my school for supporting me all through.

ims : Support from your parents

Ashwin : My parents have supported me from day one. I consider the support of my parents, my biggest strength.

ims : Since you have participated in both National and International events, how would you rate Indian Motorsports and world motorsports

Ashwin : The motorsport is slowly catching up in India, particularly the car racing, thanks to drivers like Narain, Karun & Armaan who had kept the Indian flag flying high. As far as 2 wheeler is concerned, I would say, that the competition level in India is very very less, but still competitive. 2 wheeler motorsport has a great potential in India. But there seems to be very less effort that has been put in to promote this great sport. We seem to be content with whatever we run. A lot lot more needs to be done to promote this exciting sport in India.

ims : Your bike....

Ashwin : Mainly TVS, I have ridden TVSs Victor 110 cc, Apache 150cc, Shaolin 150 cc in Indian racing. I rode the 115 cc 4 stroke underbone (max speed 130 kmph) in the FIM Asian Road Racing Championship and the 125 cc 2 stroke Underbone (max speed 170 kmph +) in the Malaysian Super Series in 2006.

ims : You have won the National Championship award in Group "D" : 4 Stroke : 80 to 110 cc, Group "D" : 4 Stroke :111 to 160 cc class and the Champion of Champions in the year 2006, how do you feel

Ashwin : Yes, it is a dream come true, to be a National Champion. I am very very happy. My thanks are due to all who have worked for this victory.

ims : Sponsorship in India

Ashwin : I am very lucky to have got the sponsorship from TVS. But the hard fact remains that in motorsport, sponsorship is very difficult to get. One of the reasons could be poor publicity, but unless there is money in the sport, publicity will not happen. It is a chicken or egg situation. But I am sure that 2007 would be better for Indian Motorsport.

ims : This year, we saw you performing very well in the Formula LGB Swift and Formula LGB Hyundai classes....

Ashwin : Yes, the last two rounds have been great for me with many podium finishes. I must thank MECO racing and Gemini Racing for supporting me.

ims : Which one is your favourite 2 Wheelers or 4 Wheelers

Ashwin : A bit difficult to answer, but........at present, I am concentrating more on two wheelers than 4 wheelers.

ims : Your favourite motorsport icons

Ashwin : Who else, other than Michael Schumacher & our own Narain Karthikeyan in 4 wheelers and Valentino Rossi in 2 wheelers.

ims : What's next..........

Ashwin : I have not decided yet. But my ultimate aim would be to ride 125cc class in the MotoGP International Championship event. I would always work towards that.

ims : about indmotorsport.com

Ashwin : indmotorsport.com is the only website that gives regular updates on motorsports. I understand the enormous efforts put in by this team in doing this great service to motorsport. Hats off to them and keep up the good work.

Comments

indmotorsport.com wishes Ashwin Sundar all the very best in all his endeavours.