Teenager Arya impresses, takes second place

ANINDITH REDDY, WHO HAD CLINCHED THE F1600 ON SATURDAY, DID NOT HAVE THE BEST WEEKEND WITH ONE NOFINISH

:Arya Singh, the 16-year old racing prodigy from Kolkata, ended the final race of the Formula 1600 (F1600) category in second place as the MRF Indian National Championship came to a close.

“It is my first season in 1600 and I really wanted to get close to Sandeep Kumar or Anindith Reddy because they are all multiple national championship winners; much more experienced than me. I was as fast as Sandeep and surely next year I will look to win the championship,” Arya Singh said shortly after conclusion of the final round.

Hyderabad-based racer Anindith Reddy, who had already clinched the F1600 championship on Saturday, did not have the best weekend in the triple-header with one no-finish, a second and third spot.

The 27-year old Reddy, whose championship win should have entitled him to a spot in the ‘Mazda Road to Indy shootout’ in the United States later this year, revealed that since he was above the eligible age limit, F1600 runner-up Sandeep Kumar will be given the opportunity.

Sandeep Kumar, who missed the first round of the F1600 championship, ended up dominating the circuit this weekend with three victories and is excited at the prospect of being able to race in the United States.

“It is a huge opportunity for me to be a part of the Indy scholarship programme. I am really working hard for it. If it clicks we will have a good year of international racing,” said Sandeep.

If the 24-year-old gets the scholarship, he will have a shot at qualifying for the Indy Lights feeder series, a series in which Formula One driver, Fernando Alonso has competed in.

In the other events, Arjun Narendran clinched the Indian Touring Cars championship while Karminder Singh won the Ameo Cup with a comprehensive 138point lead.