National Karting: Close battles in the offing

With very little separating the title contenders, the competition in the third round of the JK Tyre-FMSCI National Rotax Max Karting Championship to be run at the Kari Motor Speedway here this weekend is likely to dish out close and exciting races in all three categories.

Vishnu Prasad of Meco Racing currently heads the championship standing in the Senior Max category (16 years and above) with 172 points, followed by Rayo Racing duo of Nayan Chatterjee (170) and defending champion Ameya Bafna (162).

Similarly, the top three in the Junior Max section (12-16 years) are closely bunched with Kolhapur's Krishnaraj Mahadik (Mohite Racing) tallying 166 points, just ahead of Chennai-based Tejas Ram of Meco Racing (163) and team-mate Akash Gowda (159) from Bangalore.

The Micro Max (7-12 years) category has Mohite Racing's Pradyumna V Danigond, winner of both the rounds so far, in the lead with 177 points, just ahead of Meco Racing boys Yash Aradhya (171) and Sahishnu Bagamane (162).

This season two new karting teams have made their debut, Dark Don Racing from Chennai and Bangalore-based India Karting, and both these teams are giving the existing Meco Racing, Rayo Racing and Mohite Racing a run for their money.

Dark Don Racing boasts of the only female driver in the championship, Mira Erda in Junior Max. The Gujarat girl is currently in sixth position, but it hardly reflects her competitiveness and pace.