Kawasaki Cup

The finals of the Malaysian Super Series 2008 (MSS) is scheduled between 17th & 19th of October 2008 which will be the support race for the Malaysian Moto GP. It will be a crucial weekend for India’s contingent of international Indian bike riders viz. Rohit Giri, K.Rajini, Emmanuel Jebaraj, Emmanuel Clarke and P.Karthick. All of them have performed extremely well in their respective categories which include competitors from Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australian, Finland, Norway etc.

Team Red Rooster will be happy to see their riders Rohit Giri from Bangalore & Rajini K from Chennai, both astride Yamaha R6 fighting in the SuperSports Novice & Open category respectively. While Rohit Giri is leading the SuperSports Novice Category with 152 points and all set to win this category K Rajini is well poised in second place in the overall championship position in the Super Sports 600 cc Open class. Rajini needs to come up with a couple of consistent performances this weekend to ensure that he seals the runner up position.

Emmanuel Jebaraj this year could compete only in few races, while in the begining of the season, he participated in the Bikerz Naza cup, and is still on 10th position out of 22 riders, later decided to participate in the SuperSport Novice category. He could participate in only one round in the SuperSport Novice category and this round would be only the 2nd round for him. He is in 17th place with 20 points. He is sponsored by Red Rooster Racing, Live Life and Eclipse Malaysia.

(L to R) : Rajini K, Emmanuel Jebaraj, P Karthick & Emmanuel Clarke

Emmanuel Clarke has been participating in the Kawasaki Cup category of the Malaysian Super Series racing on a Kawasaki KR 150. He is placed 7th overall in that category which has a grid of 29 riders. Clarke races for Team Race Line and is sponsored by Dollar Apparels and Pagalam Trawells.

P. Karthick is racing in the Production class 125 cc category of the Malaysian Super Series and he is currently placed 7th overall in a grid of 36 riders. Karthick had a spate of bad luck this season including a couple of injuries – making him miss a couple of races - which has deprived him of a higher place in the overall position. In the previous race he was heading the grid and was well placed to take the chequered flag when misfortune struck through mechanical failure shattering his dream of a maiden race win. Karthick races for BKR Racing team and is sponsored by Perot Systems and TVS.

Lack of sponsorship has not deterred these youngsters from making it to the top league by their sheer dedication and love for the sport. Lack of financial support does not allow additional practice time which in turn deprives them from getting enough knowledge of the track. While other riders and teams have a minimum 3 to 5 day practice sessions, the Indian riders get to the track only in the official practice session which is a day prior to the race day. It is high time that these budding talents are given their due recognition. Their current achievement level could touch greater heights if the necessary support and encouragement are provided. More sponsorship and sufficient financial backing will definitely ensure that all of them perform better and bring more honor and laurels to the country.

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