Kolhapur, Sep 3 (IANS): The third round of the JK Tyre-FMSCI National Rotax Max Karting Championship will return to the 1.2 km Mohite's Racing Academy Circuit here after a gap of three years Sep 6-7.

Krishnaraaj Mahadik of Mohite's Racing, Kush Maini of Dark Don Racing and Meco Motorsports' Shahan Ali Mohsin, leaders in their respective categories, will look to keep their challengers at bay.

Among the local drivers, Mahadik, Chittesh Mandody and Dhruv Mohite will look to bring in crowds in the stands.

A blistering final race by Mahadik in the senior max category of the second round saw him leapfrog to the top of the points table with 71. But he will have to be tight on the corners if hopes to retain the lead from Mumbai's Ameya Bafna of Rayo Racing, placed second with 69, and Chennai’s Vishnu Prasad and Mohite, who are tied for third place with 65.

In junior max, though Maini lost a close final race to Ricky Donison, he still leads the points table with 73. Though Donison is not among the top three, he seems to be at his best when taking on Maini.

Their close rivalry and aggressive driving seen over the first two rounds should continue to enthrall karting fans this weekend. One also cannot discount the performances of Aaroh Ravindra and Akash Gowda, both of Meco Racing, who are in joint second place with 71 points.

Mohsin has shown tremendous maturity in the micro max mategory. His consistent performances over the first two rounds ensured that he remains in the lead in the face of some great driving from teammate Yash Aradhya. Mohsin leads the points tally with 75, followed by Aradhya on 73 and Paul Francis on 72.

The championship has a total of five rounds. The champions will get an opportunity to represent the country at the Rotax Grand Finals in the United States.

There are three categories in the championship: micro max for drivers between the ages of 7 to 12, junior max (13 to 16) and senior max (15 and above).