SRIPERUMBUDUR: Saurav Bandyopadhyay drove an inspired race to take the lead in the final lap and hold on to win the second and final race of Round 2 at the National Car Racing Championship’s Volkswagen Ameo Class 2019, here on Sunday. Saturday’s winner Pune’s Pratik Sonawane finished in second place, while Avik Anwar from Bangladesh defended well to finish on the podium.
The racers started on the reverse top 12 starting grid for the first time since the Ameo Class became part of the National Racing Championship. As a consequence, Saturday’s top two drivers, Pratik and Saurav started in 12th and 11th place respectively, while Harsh Seth started on pole position followed by Avik in the first row, and Najeeb Shaik was accompanied by Anuranjan Velmurugan in row two. Harsh made several mistakes on the first lap and dropped to the 12th place.
PRATIK SHINES IN ROUND 2
Pratik’s weekend was a fantastic one, with two podium finishes including a win. Speaking post the race, he said, “As a racer, I’m disappointed not to win today, but as a competitor I’m glad as there was a lot to learn there.”
Unlike Saturday’s race where Pratik dominated throughout, the second race saw multiple shifts in momentum, with Avik looking good for a win for almost the entire duration of the race. Pratik and Saurav kept fighting and a lapse in concentration from Avik saw him surrender his lead to both of them in the final lap.
Third place finisher on Saturday and championship leader prior to this round, Jeet Jhabakh could not complete the race, retiring in the fourth lap due to reasons unknown yet. This is set to cause a dent to his championship standing.
Saurav admitted later that he had his sights set on victory and nothing else, on Sunday, after Saturday’s race.
Sirish Vissa, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport India, summed up the race and the weekend, saying, “It was a phenomenal race for us. The top drivers have shown consistent pace and preparations for the races. The Round 3 and 4 will be held in August and October respectively.
RESULTS:
Volkswagen Ameo Class (Race 2): 1. Saurav Bandyopadhyay (Mumbai) 15:49.972; 2. Pratik Sonawane (Pune) 15:52.896; 3. Avik Anwar (Bangladesh) 15:53.007.
The battle for championship is only expected to intensify from here onwards. I am hoping that this extremely close battle continues on to the last race.”
—Sirish Vissa, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport India
It’s all I could think of. I barely slept last night, and kept going over scenarios in my head for the race. I kept telling myself to fight till the chequered flag, and I used the opportunity I got in the last lap.”
—Saurav Bandyopadhyay, Mumbai race driver
