The racers at the JK Tyre Racing Championship say the decision to bring former Indian cricket team trainer Ramji Srinivasan on board has proved to be a great move as his methods have taken their training and preparations to another level.
JK involved Ramji, who also helped iconic Sachin Tendulkar recover from a shoulder injury in 2006, for their 2015 season.
It's been only for a few days that Ramji has shared his vast knowledge with the racers but he is consistently in touch with them through e-mails.
Vishnu Prasad, who is leading the drivers championship table in the JK India series, welcomed the move by the oraganisers.
"We do not have many trainers in India, who have knowledge about the kind of fitness training that is required in motorsport. Ramji has been training with Narain Karthikeyan, so we have are getting top level training," Prasad told PTI.
"He oversees our workout, diet charts and also does mental conditioning."
Vishnu, who won the Race 1 in Round 2 after starting third from the grid, said if he could sustain the pressure under challenging conditions here, the credit goes to the new training.
"This was a really hot race with Krishna behind me for more than 10 laps. It was one of the most physical races I have competed in. I had to concentrate, it was extremely hot and my skin was burning. To get through to that with same lap times, I was doing it without dropping the timing, it shows that the training is working. We have to be working more," he said.
Seasoned racer Akhil Rabindra, who competes in the UK, said Ramji has taken their training methods to another level with his expertise.
"His physical training is focused on muscles. We can now last weekends with full energy rather than getting tired towards the second race. Earlier I was focusing on my whole body. But certain parts did not require much attention. Neck obviously needs more attention," he said explaining the changes he has brought about.
"I was very close to what he is guiding but he has taken my training to the next level. If I was already doing something, he gave a more detailed and complex version of that which made it more effective. If I knew exercising at the basic level, he has given me the perfect level," he said.
