Rajini clinches 11th National title; Kumar, Sarvesh win crowns

CHENNAI: Veteran Rajini Krishnan, Mathana Kumar, Jagruti Penkar and Sarvesh Balappa clinched the titles in their respective categories as the fifth and final round of the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2022 concluded on Sunday at the Madras International Circuit here.

Rajini from RACR Castrol Power1, who needed just one more point to win the title, finished fourth and sealed the championship, his 11th National career crown, in the premier Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open category. Mathana Kumar of Pacer Yamaha topped the Pro-Stock 165cc Open class, finishing fourth for his third title in 11 years.

Jagruti of Axor Sparks Racing was kept guessing, before she was confirmed as the winner of the Girls (Stock 165cc) championship. She earned her maiden crown following the disqualification of race winner Lani Zena Fernandez from RACR Castrol Power1. Jagruti finished on 81 points to Ann Jennifer’s (Alpha Racing) 80.

Sarvesh from Axor Sparks Racing, who had taken an unassailable lead in the Novice (Stock 165cc) category coming into the final round, avoided close battles for a fourth place. His teammates Kayan Zubin Patel and Rohan Ramesh came first and second respectively, ahead of Chiranth Vishwanath from Rookies Racing, who completed the podium.

Rajini did likewise in the concluding Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open race as he was content to follow the Petronas TVS Racing trio of KY Ahamed, Jagan Kumar and Deepak Ravikumar (in that order). Incidentally, Ahamed completed a double.

“I took no chances. After all, I needed only one more point to win the championship. So, I was happy to stay in fourth position throughout the race,” said the 41-year-old Rajini, who, incidentally, had the best lap (01:53.099) of the race.

Jagan also had a brilliant outing in the Pro-Stock 165cc Open race, which he won in style ahead of Idemitsu Honda India SK69 Racing’s Rajiv Sethu and Senthil Kumar, for a double.

RESULTS (PROVISIONAL):Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open (Race 2): 1. KY Ahamed (15 minutes, 17.537 seconds); 2. Jagan Kumar (15:17.757); 3. Deepak Ravikumar (15:18.787). Pro-Stock 165cc Open (Race 2): 1. Jagan Kumar (15:45.594); 2. Rajiv Sethu (15:46.086); 3. Senthil Kumar (15:47.664). Girls (Stock 165cc): 1. Ryhana Bee (11:00.132); 2. Jagruti Penkar (11:00.493); 3. Aditi Krishnan (11:05.883). Novice (Stock 165cc) (Race 2): 1. Kayan Zubin Patel (13:01.987); 2. Rohan Ramesh (13:02.099); 3. Chiranth Vishwanath (13:02.368)