Vishnu racing against time for Scirocco Cup

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Vishnu Prasad is racing against time to put together the sponsorship needed to take part in the highly-competitive Volkswagen Scirocco Cup in Europe.

The 18-year-old Chennai racer earned a free entry into the German series by winning the second edition of the JK Tyre-Polo Cup last year, but he has to raise some money to cover extra expenses such as travel, accommodation and damages to the vehicle.

Vishnu says he would miss the golden opportunity if he fails to confirm his participation in 10 days. “I would need a budget of Rs 25 lakh. We have been doing our best to find the money and we have 50 per cent of it covered. I know it’s not a small amount, but I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Motorsport is growing in our country, but we are still finding it difficult to make a career out of it in India,” said Vishnu, who considers Scirocco as his budding career’s path-breaking event.

Vizag youngster Sailesh Bolisetti won the inaugural edition of the Polo Cup in 2010 and the following season he participated in Scirocco Cup series where he impressed the boss of Lotus Sport UK.

It turned out to be a big break for Sailesh, who will race at the British GT Championship this year. Not just Sailesh, the German Saloon car series provided Aditya Patel a platform to showcase his tin-top skills as the Chennai youngster went on to make it big by finishing fifth overall in 2011 standings. Aditya is set to graduate to GT Masters, but sponsorship remains a big obstacle for him.

Vishnu, who has been mentored by former F3 driver Akbar Ebrahim since karting days, says it has been his dream to drive in Europe. “The free drive, otherwise very expensive, has come as a boon. I want to test my skills against the top drivers in Europe in the Scirocco Cup.

The exposure there is bound to help. One won’t know where it can take you next until you get there. Hopefully I can raise the funds and drive in this European series,” said Vishnu, who made his debut in the Formula LGB Swift category in the JK Tyre National Championship as a 13-year-old five seasons ago.