Chennai: TVS Racing teenager Sarthak Chavan (Pune) set the pace for this weekend’s second round of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2024 at the Madras International Circuit, here on Thursday during the official free practice session.
The Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open bikes ran on slick tyres for the first time in the Championship and the lap timings fell by at least a second during today’s practice session. Sarthak Chavan and Bengaluru’s Chiranth Vishwanath expectedly dominated the time sheets, clocking best laps of 01 minute, 49.551 secs and 01:49.962, respectively. It was a pointer to yet another tight battle between the two 17-year-olds during the double-header over the weekend.
Meanwhile, to help the riders adjust to the slicks, the organisers have scheduled an additional 20-minute free practice session for the Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open class on Friday.
The two teenagers repeated the feat in the Pro-Stock 165cc Open category with Sarthak (01:54.622) being the quickest ahead of Chiranth (01:55.500). Last year’s champion KY Ahamed was third fastest, albeit 1.9 seconds adrift of Sarthak.
Championship leader in the Novice (Stock 165cc) category, Chennai’s Abdul Basim (Rockers Racing) set a hot pace, clocking a best lap of 02:08.566, well clear of Mysuru rider Tasmai Cariappa (Motul Sparks Racing) who managed 02:09.445.
In between, former National champion from Chennai, Ann Jennifer (Alpha Racing India), after a disappointing Round-1 last month in the Girls (Stock 165cc) category, posted the best lap of 02:08.954, well clear of team-mate Nadine Faith Balaji and defending champion Ryhana (Motul Sparks Racing). Missing the practice session was another local talent, 15-year-old Rakshitha Dave (RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate), winner of both races in Round-1.
Varun Patil (02:00.778), a privateer from Bengaluru, was the fastest in the Stock 301-400cc (Novice) category ahead of Chennai’s Kaushik Subbaiah Ganesan (RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate), winner of both races in Round-1, who put in a hot lap of 02:00.975. Sachin J (Mad Rabbit Racing) from Hosur, was third fastest in 02:10.812.