08 August,2011 08:47 AM IST | | Harit N Joshi
Vishnu Prasad of the Meco racing will remember this senior category title of the FMSCI Rotax Max National Karting Championship at the MECO Ministry of Sports track here yesterday, though not for grabbing his maiden crown here but for winning it using a borrowed chassis (frame of the kart).
The Meco team driver had forgettable Round II and III after his second-place finish in the first round in Kolhapur. "My kart spun in the Round II and around four to five karts bumped into me, due to which my already bent chassis suffered further damages. The cheapest of the chassis costs at least R1.5 lakh. And simply I couldn't afford to spend that much money at this moment," Vishnu told MiD DAY.
Sensing his participation in doubts, Vishnu asked for help from his Meco racing teammate. "I had no other option, but to borrow it from someone. Luckily, my friend went to the UK, and I got to use his chassis. I will see what to do when he comes back, but till then I will use it," added Vishnu.
The Chennai lad ruled the race after starting on the top grid. The battle between Mumbai's Ameya Bafna (Rayo Racing) and Chittesh Mandody (Mohite's Racing) for the second and third place, respectively, helped Vishnu enhance his lead on the 22-lap course. Vishnu finished a clear three minutes and 504 seconds ahead of second-placed Bafna.
"It was near perfect race for me. Everything went well this time. I had some problems with the kart in the last couple of races," he assessed.
Yesterday's win put Vishnu back into contention for the championship race, currently being led by Mandody. He improved his overall standing from the seventh to fourth position.
Meanwhile, Kush Maini continued his domination in the micro age category (8-12). Abhirath Shetty finished second followed by Kavin Lazarus. In the junior category (13-16), Jehan Daruvala finished on top followed by Krishnaraj Mahadik and Arjun Maini in the second and third place, respectively.
