Virtual Racing

eRACING CHAMPIONSHIP

Amith Kutti jumps into lead after Round 1

Chennai racer dominates as Mumbai Falcons' Indian eRacing Championship begins

Chennai's Amith Kutti launched his campaign in style in the fourth edition of the Mumbai Falcons Indian eRacing Championship, in association with Volkswagen Motorsport, winning both the Pro races.

The defending champion warded off Season 2 winner Sai Prithvi's challenge to take a commanding lead after Round 1. Bangalore's Ujjwal Belwariar won the Junior race, edging past Sayee Saran who had taken the pole position. Reigning champion Amith Kutti and Sai Prithvi were engaged in a keen battle for pole on the Spa Francorchamps Circuit, with the former finishing ahead in 2:13.718. Prithvi was a close 0.13 seconds behind while Niranjan Kumar was third. The latest season of the Indian eRacing Championship (earlier ISRL) extends to eight rounds and will see multiple new classes as the season progresses. A women's class along with two separate amateur classes are also set to be introduced soon.

"We are proud to be associated with the Indian eRacing Championship. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the IR eSports team has done a stellar job in keeping the spirit of motorsport flying in the minds of racers," Ameet Gadhoke, owner of Mumbai Falcons, said.

Sirish Vissa, Head Volkswagen Motorsport India added "The Indian eRacing Championship is making motorsport racing fun, exciting and a unique learning experience for our young and aspirational racers in India. With the continuous development of this platform, it intends to offer a near realistic experience along with reaching out to a wider audience of potential race drivers."

Kutti won Race 1 just 0.75 seconds ahead of Prithvi while Hyderabad's Bhanu Teja was third. Sonipat's Ankit Tyagi was fourth. A massive crash in the midfield saw multiple cars suffering severe damage. F3 Asia Race winner & guest racer for the weekend, Sri Lanka's Eshan Pieris, representing the CMSC, suffered technical issues and an accident in Race 1.

"We have created the Junior Class to help newcomers adapt to the sport in slower cars. We are thankful to Mumbai Falcons and Volkswagen Motorsport for their continued support. We also welcome and thank Red Bull for their support," 8-time champion and founder of IR eSports Rayomand Banajee said.

Round 2

Pune's Ibrahim dominates

Former Asian Rotax runner-up wins both Pro Races; Belwarier tops Junior Class

Pune's Muhammad made a daring lunge into In the Junior Class second Ibrahim sparkled in Corner 1 to jump to second round, Sayee Saran Round 2 of the place. Ibrahim pulled away (Chennai) started from pole, Mumbai Falcons Indian and cruised to victory ahead in a row. He made a good eRacing Championship, in of Kutti and Prithvi. Raghav start to lead the race ahead association with Volkswagen Budhiraja (Delhi) and Abdul of Ujjwal Belwarier Motorsport India, stunning Hadi (Thrissur) drove (Bangalore) and Garvit Amith Kutti of Chennai and smartly to move up from Agrawal (Gurgaon). After a winning both his Pro-Class 14th & 15th to complete thrilling three-car battle for races on August 4. the Top-Five. the lead Saran lost the lead Ibrahim is currently In Race 2, pole-sitter Viswas with Belwarier winnin ahead competing from Kuala Vijayraj caused an incident of Avinash Gupta Lumpur and famously ran in and 8 cars suffered damage, (Kalimpong) and Agrawal. the top five of the World and safety car came in. Rotax Karting Finals recently Ibrahim took full advantage "The Mumbai Falcons Indian and was a runner-up in the of this to win ahead of Kutti Racing Championship got a Asian Rotax Championship and Chevlyn Fernandes tremendous boost with too. He bagged pole, with a (Mumbai). Sai Prithvi and acclaimed kart-racer lap-time of 1:47.778, ahead Niranjan Kumar completed of Ooty's Niranjan Kumar. the top five. Season 2 Champion Sai Sirish Vissa, Head of Prithvi was third while Kutti Volkswagen Motorsport could manage only fourth India said, "The series has on the grid, ahead of Ankit been remarkable with Tyagi. strong performance from As the lights went out for Muhammad Ibrahim and Race 1 at the famed the racers leading on the Nurburgring Circuit, Ibrahim point table. The fight for the made an excellent start first spot was most exciting while Kutti, from fourth, and enthralling." Muhammad Ibrahim taking part. He got the better of Amith Kutti and Sai Prithvi which shows his class," Moid Tungekar, CEO of Mumbai Falcons, said.

"We are happy to see strong viewership growth of the live races on our IR eSports social media channels. In addition to our existing sponsors, Mumbai Falcons and Volkswagen Motorsport India, we welcome Gamer Connect on board," Rayomand Banajee, the organiser and karting king, concluded.

Round 3

Ibrahim continues domination

Maiden win for Agarwal in Junior Class in the Indian eRacing Championship

Pune's Muhammad Ibrahim continued his winning streak in the Mumbai Falcons Indian eRacing Championship, in association with Volkswagen Motorsport. The accomplished won both the races of the Pro Class in the third round recently. Ibrahim started the event on the right note, qualifying on pole with a lap time of 1:22.010. Amith Kutti (Chennai) bagged second on the grid, qualifying 0.48 seconds behind. Sai Prithvi, also from Chennai, was third. Race 1 saw championship leader Kutti, make a rare mistake to crash out of contention while Ibrahim took advantage of a good start to pull away and win the race. Prithvi had an intense battle with Sohil Shah before managing to overtake and finish second. Shah, a former National Formula 1300 Champion, finished third, ahead of Niranjan Kumar and Raiden Samervel. In a reverse grid for the top12 in Race 2, Coimbatore's Kaushick Mohanraja started on pole and drove a sensible race but could not keep Ibrahim behind him. Ibrahim won, ahead of Mohanraja, while Bhanu Teja from Hyderabad was third. In the Junior Class, Sayee Saran (Chennai) in pole was hit and he fell down the order. Debjit Adak from second, got involved in multiple crashes but still managed to finish fourth. Gurgaon boy, Garvit Agarwal picked up his maiden victory while Amitesh Rao took his maiden podium, in second. Mumbai's Veer Sheth came third place ahead of Adak and Ritesh Rai.

"It's good to see the Championship quite close in both classes. We are coming up with numerous opportunities for youngsters in motorsport with the Mumbai Falcons Indian eRacing Championship," said Moid Tungekar, CEO of Mumbai Falcons.

Sirish Vissa, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport India said, "It is exciting to witness the competition for every position in the championship. It shows the dedication and effort that these young drivers are putting in to battle each other."“

Next round will see the addition of the Amateur Class followed by the Women's Class," said 8-time National racing and karting champion and founder of IR eSports, Rayomand Banajee.