Motorsport: India's Rogger qualifies fourth

Indian rider Dilip Rogger qualified in fourth position on his return to international competition in the Losail Asian Super Series Championship in the 600cc category at the Losail International Circuit here Saturday.

The Chennai-based Rogger, who has returned to racing after dabbling in Tamil films, was forced to miss the first practice session giving him limited track time.

Rogger had a tough start to the weekend when his bike suffered a mechanical problem at the beginning of Free Practice 1. He missed the rest of the session as the team frantically worked to get the Yamaha R6 ready for Free Practice 2.

It meant that Rogger had only one session before the qualifying session. He spent the time learning the track and getting used to the bike and gradually posted faster times as the session went by.

Rogger, who is supported by PYRRA, FMSCI and the QMMF, said: "It was a new track for me, so I just wanted to learn the track in the practice sessions than look to set a time. But the first 45 minute session did not go well as I had mechanical trouble with the bike.

"During the next 30-minute practice session, I was learning the track getting more comfortable with the bike. During the qualifying session, I had to push to get a good starting position, but it was hard to match the guys in front due to lack of practice.

"I'm hoping to reduce the gap to the leaders in the warm up session which will be for 20 minutes. I'm extremely satisfied of my performance given the limited running and given the fact that these guys have been racing in this championship for the last 2-3 years."