The Hindu : Surjit Saini triumphs

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 16, 2002

Sport

Sport - Racing : Motor

Surjit Saini triumphs

By Our Sports Reporter

Nuvem (Goa) Oct. 15. Excitement was at a feverish pitch in the third round of the National Karting championship held at Belloy Nuvem, Goa on Sunday. The 496m-track which boasts of the most picturesque and easily among the top three karting tracks in the country was the venue of the third round and a sizeable crowd turned out to cheer the local competitors as well as the karters from other parts of the country who were here hoping to gain a ticket for the All India Finals to be held at Delhi on Dec. 15.

Some karters who missed out after the second round at Bangalore decided to take another shot at making the All-India finals. Rajesh Pawar, Rayomand Banajee and Fazal Khan who drove at Bangalore were in the line-up for the senior class. Tej Naik and Nikhil Kashyap took another tilt at making the finals driving in the cadet class and a number of enthusiasts from Pune and Goa made up for the rest of the competition.

The programme on the final day on Sunday began with a five year-old making a demonstration run on the sinuous track replete with gradients and sharp bends. The serious business began with the semifinals of the senior class.

In the first semifinal, Rayomand Banajee showed his skills to lead from Surjit Saini, Rajesh Pawar and Ashok D'Costa. Fazal Khan, Harmeet Singh, Abbas Ghadialli and Mahendra Jubbal qualified from the second semifinalists.

The title round proved to be a no contest for Surjit Saini. Surjit soon established a fair lead and was never troubled by the others. Some keen competition however was on for the second and other minor placings.

Rajesh Pawar with some clever manoeuvres kept Fazal Khan and others at bay. Fazal in fact dropped out a few laps prior to the finish and Rayomand Banajee's desperation to make the National finalists showed when he attempted some dangerous manoeuvres. He was however black-flagged by the stewards and his chances of making it to Delhi went up in smoke. Saini won from end to end and Rajesh Pawar ended up a creditable second and Mahinder Jubal made a late finish to clinch the third spot.

The cadet class (8-12 years) was at Akshay Hede's mercy. Akshay warmed up well and established a clear lead to win by a huge distance from Parth Ghorpade and Tej Naik who took the second and third spots respectively.

The ladies section began with Sonia Moraes and Shalinee Singh driving almost bumper to bumper initially but Sonia soon pulled away and emerged a clear winner. Shalinee Singh was a clear second and Marylene Costa Pereira who had a number of supporters in the stands finishing a game third.

As in Bangalore, the Junior Class (12-16 years) was the section that logged the fastest lap timings. Avdumber Hede was head and shoulders above the others and Rounak Patil and Ryle Abreo fought over the second and third spot. Rounak managed to keep a slender lead and finish second.

The Goa leg also had a rookie class which Amin Khan annexed. Local boy Vivek Fernandes came second and Ashish Dukle stepped on the podium in third place.

The results: cadet class (8-12 years): 1. Akshay Hede, 2. Parth Ghorpade, 3. Tej Naik. (Trophy plus Rs. 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs. 2,000 for 1-2-3).

Junior class (12-16 years below 45 kgs): 1. Avdumber Hede, 2. Rounak Patil, 3. Ryle Abreo. (trophy plus Rs. 5,000, Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 2,000)

Senior class (16 years and above 65 kgs): 1. Surjit Saini, 2. Rajesh Pawar, 3. Mahinder Jubal. (trophy plus Rs. 20,000, Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 10,000).

Ladies Class (16 years and above): 1. Sonia Moraes, 2. Shalinee Singh, 3. Marlene Costa Pereria. (trophy plus Rs. 5,000, Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 2,000).

Rookie Class: 1. Amin Khan, 2. Vivek Fernandes, 3. Ashish Dukle. (Trophies only).

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