Smooth Sail-esh
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When Lotus Sport UK’s Sailesh Bolisetti and Phil Glew won Race 2 of the Nürburgring leg of the British GT, it not only marked the maiden international win for the Vizag lad but also proved his critics that the impressive driving style he showed during the 2010 Volkswagen JK Tyre Polo Cup was not a flash in the pan.
After winning the inaugural Polo Cup in Tamil Nadu, Sailesh was tipped to be a star in saloon car racing and make a mark not just in India but also on the world stage. His aggressive driving style was always admired by motorsport afficionados. But 2011, what was expected to be a breakthrough year for Sailesh, turned out to be rather bitter. Participating in the Volkswagen Scirocco R Cup in Germany, Sailesh faced some issues with the support staff.
“Scirocco could have been a lot better, If I had been given the required support. But in a way, that was a learning experience for me. Whatever issues I faced there taught me a lot of things, which now helps me a lot,” said the 24-year-old, who is back in his hometown after a triumphant week in Germany. “Also at Scirocco, they did not allow testing before the race, so that was a disadvantage,” he added.
But the past is behind and at Lotus, Sailesh is now once again enjoying his driving and is more confident than he ever was. “The team at Lotus is amazing. Here, I learn a lot. They go all the way to help me improve as a driver,” says Sailesh.
“And Phil is always very supportive. He has a lot of experience on the European circuit, so he gives me a lot of tips and suggestions before the race. At British GT, since there are two drivers for one race, if Phil has to win, it is important that I too excel. Hence it’s a win-win situation for all. So whatever information or knowledge Phil has, he shares with me.” “That helped me acclimatise to British GT quite soon. Because I am only used to driving a front-wheel drive. But manoeuvring a rear-wheel drive on a racing circuit is a completely different ball-game. The braking, acceleration and all your dynamics change,” says Sailesh.
Sailesh, whose team Lotus are currently placed second on the GT4 points table with 71 points, is all set to continue his impressive show at the next stop — at the Rockingham race, which commences on June 6. “Right now we are in talks with Lotus to arrange a few pre-race practice sessions. I have heard from Phil and the team that the Rockingham circuit is very tricky. “So a few practice run on the circuit will do me good,” said Sailesh.
“But now I am very confident. The win at Nürburgring has helped me a lot.” Clearly, 2012 has been a very different year for Sailesh. As one prominent official at the JK Tyre Motorsport who has seen Sailesh right from his debut puts it across, “Sailesh has had a few struggles in the past. But at Lotus, he is in good hands. Now there is nothing he can do wrong.
“His career graph will only go higher from here. This win is just the beginning.”
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