National karting championship: Ameya sets pace on opening day

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The third round of the 9th JK Tyre Rotax Max national karting championship got underway under gusty conditions even as the teams in all the three categories — senior, junior and micro made a cautious start.

However, it wasn’t long before the drivers got used to the settings and turned on the heat on the track.

In the Senior Max category, Ameya Bafna of Team Rayo Racing came out firing as he clocked the best time of 38.9s in the qualifying. Later, Ameya lapped it up by winning the second heat.

The championship leader Anshuman Chatterjee of Team Meco Racing, surprisingly, had an off day at the office. Anshuman couldn’t better the eighth position he recorded in the opening heat.

Meanwhile, Anshuman’s teammate Karminder Pal Singh, who had a silent season so far, did well to keep Ameya on his toes.

In the second heat, Chittesh Mandody of Team Mohites Racing was leading Ameya by 0.37s but suffered a setback when he had to pull out due to a mechanical glitch.

It, however, wasn’t the case in the Junior Max category where Kush Maini of Team Maini Racing dominated the entire proceedings. Kush topped the qualifying as well as both heats to and looked completely in the zone.

Dhruv Mohite and Krishnaraj Mahadik of Team Mohites Racing had to be content with the second and third spots respectively.

As expected, Pradyumn V Danigod of Team Mohites Racing starred in the Micro Max section. The current championship leader delivered a best lap time of the day by recording 45.1s.

Danigold continued the good work by nailing the opening heat but missed out in the next run. Danigold’s teammate Phaneesh and the twelve-year old girl from Baroda, Mira Erda, of Team Maini Racing will vie for top honours on Sunday.