Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Mangaluru, Nov 23: Adrenaline ran high at the 5th round of the ‘MRF MOGRIP FMSCI National Supercross Championship’ at Kulur here, organized in Mangaluru after a gap of 12 years on Sunday November 23.
Abhayachandra Jain, minister for youth services and sports, inaugurated the programme while U T Khadar, minister for health and family welfare, showcased his passion for off-road biking by riding a bike. City police commissioner R Hitendra was also present on the occasion.
Nearly 120 professional and amateur riders from Delhi, Punjab, Nashik, Mumbai, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Bengaluru took part in the championship. Around 30 riders from the coastal districts (Mangaluru/Udupi) participated in the ‘locals’ category.
In the prestigious SX 1 (foreign open group A), defending champion and local boy K P Aravind of ‘Team TVS Racing’ did not participate due to a broken thumb.
The competitions were in eight different categories including the newly introduced ‘Junior SX Class’, (open to group A/B/C/D up to 260cc) and for those below 15 years. There is also the ‘SX 2’, Indian expert class group ‘B’ and ‘C’ races, private expert class - group ‘C’, and novice class - group ‘C’, for two/four stroke vehicles up to 260cc.
This championship was organized by Godspeed Racing-Pune, in association with Mangalore Motocross Sports Association.
A highlight of the event was the track designed by Brad Ripple, ace supercross driver from the US. This 900 metre track has three table tops, unlike the normally used two used in Nashik, Pune, Chennai, and Coimbatore.
The final and sixth round of the championship will take place in Bengaluru on 29 and 30 November, 2014.
There was a clash between two rival teams due to an accident in the final stage of the race, but the issue was sorted out by the organizers amicably.
The event was compered by Chivas of Godspeed Racing-Pune.