2019 TVS Young Media Racer Programme - Race One

Practice and Qualifying

This round consists of something similar to what you’d see in MotoGP. First is a practice session, followed by qualifying and then the race. Well, before we could ride out of the pit lane and onto the track for our practice session, the race official reminded us about the rules for racing and about Kari in particular, which is a rather small track. He also went on to say that above all, we were there to have fun.

Oh yes! That is what we were there for! The adrenaline pumping in full steam and the nail-biting nervousness was all that kept going on in my head. Also, I hadn’t been to the Kari Motor Speedway before, neither to cover an event and nor to race. So every aspect of the track was new. But I had heard about the track being very tight and technical and specifically about the banking on C1.

So, we, a batch of 12 riders set out on the track for the practice session which was to be held for a whole 25 minutes. I decided to make the most of the session to get to know the track well in the first few laps before trying to get faster on it. While at it, the bike felt a bit off but I brushed it aside thinking it would get better with time. Well, I was wrong. The brakes on the ‘number 5’ bike had started to lose feel so braking late wasn’t an option. With a need to get it fixed and to save whatever little time and confidence was left, I rushed to the pits.

Apparently, it couldn’t be fixed quickly and the only option would be to use another bike. But, you just can’t hop onto any other bike. I needed a bike stickered with the ‘number 5’ for the race officials to identify. And as the bike was being stickered I realised how crucial every ticking second in a race is! Back on the track and seven minutes for the session to end, this was the time to give it all. I did, or at least that’s what I thought it was. My practice time was 1:35:933 and that was the 10th ‘fastest’ time, if you may.

Now unlike the usual three-day race weekend, the TVS YMRP has both practice and qualifying on day one and the race on the second. So after the practice, we had a couple of hours before the qualifying session would begin. And since we were already fuelled with the fire of determination to qualify in the front of the grid it would actually be good, wouldn’t it? Well, I was surely faster compared to the practice session with a time of 1:32:495 but the mistakes were numerous and the recklessness resulted in me qualifying 10th on the grid. As you can see, fire isn’t always good fuel and sometimes chill is what one needs to get things done right. 

And by that, I mean focus. There were only two corners that seemed extremely technical; the C1 banking and the switch from C5 into C6. The only way to get faster was to focus on braking and entry points on these corners and to use one of my biggest strengths; my weight or lack thereof. 

Race Day!

It was time. As we left the pits for the sighting lap, I could feel the pressure of having to perform well. Sure, I wasn't facing any external compulsion to do so; nor would it affect my life in a big way. But in the head of a racer, it would be different. It would be emotions of fear, anxiety and excitement mixed with the rush of adrenaline. 

So we lined up on the grid according to our position at qualifying. The five-minute board was out soon followed by the three-minute board wherein everyone other than the racers cleared the track. Hearts were beating faster as the Apache 200’s engines revved to that optimum launch rpm; the next 30 seconds would determine the race results. And before we even realised it, 5..4..3..2..1..boom! The perfect launch! Filtering through the chaos, I soon found myself amongst the top five on C1. Now, the only thing would be to focus on the braking and entry points and fight to keep that position. But on lap 2 a mistake on C6 cost me two positions. 

Ahead of me was Manav Sinha, usually a fast track rider who seemed to be having a bad day with the bike. A tough battle brewed between the both of us for the rest of the laps. What he made on the corners, I broke on the straights. And in the heat of the battle, I went too hot in C1 and also almost highsided once but reading Manav’s lines and his dwindling speed, I knew this one was in my kitty. And on the final corner, I had it! 

To my amazement, only five riders had finished ahead of me! And with my fastest lap time of 1:28:355, I had managed to shave off a whole 7.5 seconds off my practice time. Now, that wasn’t the quickest and I obviously didn’t make it to the podium but more importantly, there was tremendous learning, exhilaration and yes, a lot of fun. The next round of the TVS Young Media Racer Programme will be held at the MMRT, Chennai where I have ridden more than a couple of times. The track wouldn’t be new but the entire racing experience surely would be and I’ll be looking forward to more miracles to happen there. Stay tuned!