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SARAN VIKRAM Saran Vikram is
perhaps the youngest of all racing drivers in India.
He is studying 11th Standard in Sree Venkateswara Matriculation Higher
Secondary School in Royapettah, Chennai. |
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L to R : Narain Karthikeyan, Saran
Vikram &
Karun Chandhok |
indmotorsport.com interviewed this Great Little Champion.
IMS : Congratulations Saran on
winning the National Champion 2006 - Formula LGB Swift title, how do
you feel ?.
Saran Vikram (SV): Fantastic..........from 1999 I worked too hard for this movement. At last I have won this championship. it was not an easy one. But winning a National Championship is a dream come true for me.
Saran likes Cricket and Football. But how was he drawn towards motorsports ? "My fore father worked in General Motors in 1935, which was owned by Americans before 2nd World War. My grand father worked in T.V.S. as Chief Mechanic. In 1950, my grand father opened his own garage. After my grand father, my father took over the business. We are in the business of Car Repair and Service for the 4th generation now. Actually I would like to become a good tuner like my father. My father said if you would like to become a good tuner, then you must be a good and clean racer, that's how I decided to take to motorsport"
IMS : You are studying 11th .......how do you manage your studies and motorsport.
SV : Yes, at times a bit difficult........but I must thank my school...they support me a lot.
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IMS : Saran, you started Karting at the age of 13?. Your experiences SV : No actually, I started karting at the age of 9. At that time, to my knowledge only few karterest are best in my category like Anand Prasad, his father Manohar Prasad, Aaditya and Akshaya. My first Karting event was in 2000 in Danny's Karting. I qualified P1......but in the race in 1st lap my kart stalled in the track because there was no fuel !!! My first win was the JK Tyre sponsored Karting event in Kart Attack, Chennai. That race I got P1 and I won the race too. It was a very close race with a very close fight between me and Anand Prasad. IMS : Obviously from Karting, you came to racing....... SV : Yes, my first race was in the JK Tyre National Racing Championship. I participated in the Maruti Esteem Saloon category. In the 1st race itself I received the "Novice cup" from Vicky uncle (Vicky Chandhok). I fnished 3rd in the overall Championship. I did race in the Formula Maruti (FISSME) also. I feel that if any one who would like to make it big in racing in India must start with Formula Maruti and must drive this for 2 years. |
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IMS : How did you prepare yourself for the JK Tyre National Racing Championship 2006
SV : I was ready to drive any category at the age of 13 itself... but I could not get my license, becasue of my age. When I decided to drive the Formula LGB Swift category, I just concentrated on that.....trying to keep my cool always.........and giving my best at each and every race.......that's it.
I must take this opportunity to thank Mr.B. Vijayakumar and Maruti Udyog, because they made the cars for us. I started my karting with 7 BHP engine karts, then I drove Rotax Karts and then drove Maruti Esteem Front Wheel drive Saloon Cars. After all these I drove Formula Maruti. All my friends, said that I cannot drive rear wheel drive racing car, because I drove most races with front wheel drive car. But I did not feel any problem in handling both Front or Rear wheel car drives.
IMS :
About your team WSRF Leelas,,,,
SV : I am too young to even talk about these legends in Indian motorsport. I can only convey my thanks to Vicky Uncle, Karun, & Leela - the best rally driver and the best tuner in the country for having helped me so far. I also have to thank Mr.Sanjay Sharma and JK Tyre for all their support.
IMS : Your motorsport idol
SV : Kimi Raikonen and ofcourse our own Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok
IMS : Indian Motorsport Racing Scenario
SV : Yes...a leap jump........due to introduction of these three new formula cars....going well. But in the sport where the drivers fight for milli seconds...I feel this 'fastest' sport is growing little slow.
IMS : Sponsorship scene.
SV : Big..Big..problem. I think this would be the answer you would get even from Narain or Karun. If they are finding it difficult....you can understand our problems. Basically, the sports needs more money to be pumped in.....the sponsors must think beyond cricket. May be we need to improve a lot in making our sport popular and visible to general public. But at the end of the day, we the drivers are finding it difficult day by day to raise the necessary monies to participate. I don't think, any driver can today say that he does not spend his own money in motorsport and is fully sponsored. This scenario must change and hope the change is fast enough.
IMS : What's next.......
SV
: I really do not know. I am just keeping my fingers crossed.
I am on the look out for sponsors. Based on the sponsorship package, I
would decide my course of action.
Contact Saran Vikram
@ saranvikramtmars@yahoo.co.in,
Mobile : +919444114249
indmotorsport.com
congratulates this great little Champion
and wish him all the very best for his future endeavours
** END **
