Date:04/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/04/stories/2007060402881700.htm

Sport

Narain emerges triumphant

Special Correspondent

Chennai: Velocity and sound ruled at the Irrungattukottai tracks on Sunday.

At the end of it all, Team Rams Racing's Narain Shankar emerged triumphant in the second edition of the J.K. Tyre Junior Racing Cup at Sriperumbudur.

The champion scored 87 points.

Narain's compatriot Sudarshan Rao finished second with 75 points.

Karthik Shankar and Rohit Khanna, both from Team Wallace, collected 67 points, but the former secured the third spot because of more podium finishes.

Team Rams topped in Round one, three and five.

Team Wallace dominated in rounds two and four. The teams shared the honours in round six, which was not lacking in thrills.

Fastest lap time

In Sunday's Race 1, Chennai lad Narain Shankar, who also clocked the fastest lap time of 01:13:499, roared to a convincing win. There was a close duel for the second place between Team Rams Sudarshan Rao and Rohit Khanna of Team Wallace.

However, Bangalore boy Sudarshan suffered a mechanical failure in the seventh lap. Delhi's Rohit claimed the runner-up spot. Team Wallace suffered a blow when its promising driver Karthik Shankar could not compete due to mechanical problems.

Good day

In race two, Rohit Khanna capped a good day by coasting to a comfortable win. Sumit Maluja and Kapil Khanna finished second and third.

Rohit also produced the fastest lap-time of 01:13:509. Narain Shankar could not take part in the race as he came in after the pit lane was closed.

Sanjay Sharma, Head-Motor Sport, J.K. Industries, was pleased with the conduct of the championship. He said motor sports was growing in the country. "In terms of competition, technology, infrastructure, and the crowd response things have improved," he said.

Sunday's grid had as many as 17 Formula Maruti racing cars from the various parts of the country.

The results: Race 1: Narain Shankar 12:30:796; 2. Rohit Khanna 12:32:418; 3. Sunil Maluja 12:40: 002

Race 2: 1. Rohit Khanna 12:37:730; 2. Sunil Maluja 12:46:020; 3. Kapil Khanna 12:50:318. Both races were of ten laps each.

Final points tally: Narain Shankar (Team Rams) 87; 2. Sudarshan Rao (Team Rams) 75; 3. Karthik Shankar (Team Wallace) 67; 4. Rohit Khanna (Team Wallace) 67.