Sandeep’s dilemma, track or court room

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Sandeep Kumar’s first taste of the podium was tinged with embarrassment as the 19-year-old struggled to pop the bubbly handed to him.

The Chennai racer had to seek the help of his fellow podium finishers after struggling with the champagne bottle for several minutes.

Barely a month after his second-place finish in the Volkswagen Polo Cup season opener in Coimbatore, Sandeep has mastered the motorsport ritual thanks to his frequent visits to the podium.

Midway through the season, Sandeep is now third in the championship with 160 points, just eight behind Mihir Dharkar.

Seasoned Pune racer Ameya Walavalkar leads with 182 points. In the Professionals classification, where the champion will be rewarded with international exposure, Sandeep is second with 65 points — just two adrift off Mihir.

Sandeep, who is pursuing law, says his immediate target is to win a race at the fourth round of the series that will be held this weekend at the Irrungattukottai track.

“Though I have been one of the pace setters in the practice sessions, I couldn’t translate them into victories.

This is my first season at the one-make saloon car championship and I have exceeded my own expectations with four podium finishes so far, but I am hungry for more,” said the third year student of School of Excellence in Law.

Though the level-headed youngster is following in his father’s footsteps to don the black coat, his passion for speed puts him in a dilemma.

“I know, it’s not going to be easy to make a career out of Formula cars. Thats why, I am focusing on much cheaper Saloon vehicles.

At present, my goal is to win the Polo championship and get the free ticket to Germany’s Scirocco Cup,” said Sandeep, who learnt the ropes from former F3 driver Akbar Ebrahim.

Sandeep was handpicked by Akbar when he was 14 years old at Amaron talent hunt programme. He impressed everyone in his first national karting season and then graduated to Formula cars in 2008.

Sandeep’s most memorable race till date was competing at a support race of the Indian Grand Prix in 2011.

“I finished 18th, but learnt a lot in driving at the world class Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. Out of seven Indians, I was placed fourth.”