Date:09/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/09/stories/2008110952861700.htm

Sport - Racing : Motor

Narain happy with performance

CHENNAI: A1 Team India qualified taking the ninth place among the top ten for sprint race at Chengdu track in China on Saturday.

A1 Team Ireland took the pole position with a lap time of 1:15.423 followed by Netherlands with a lap time of 1:15.492. Team India in the ninth position clocked 1:16.55. The second round of the sprint qualifying session was called off after Team Italy’s car was stranded on the track and that led to loss of time.

For the feature race, again Team France’s car was red flagged and the session was halted mid way. Team India qualified at P 16 for the feature race finally with a lap time of 1:17.218.

Commenting on the day’s performance, ace driver Narain Karthikeyan said: “We were targeting a top ten qualifying for both sessions and have managed to do so for the sprint race.”

As for the feature, he said: “I made a mistake going off the track onto the gravel in the last lap and had to stop and thereby finishing 16th,” he added.

All eyes are now set on the Sunday’s main event which is expected to produce some tight finishes. — Special Correspondent