autocar-logo
Delhi

2022 JK NRC: Ashwin Datta wins LGB Formula 4 title

Kyle Kumaran took home the Novice Cup title, while Allwin Xavier won the Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup Pro title.
2 min read19 Dec '22
Unnatee GidithuriUnnatee Gidithuri
7K+ views
2022 JK NRC: LGB Formula 4 champion Ashwin Datta.

2022 LGB Formula 4 champion Ashwin Datta.

The 2022 season of the JK Tyre National Racing Championship wrapped up at the Kari Motor Speedway with Ashwin Datta securing the LGB Formula 4 title after winning all three races. Kyle Kumaran won the Novice Cup title, while Allwin Xavier and Soorya PM clinched the Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup titles, in the Professional and Amateur classes, respectively.

  1. LGB Formula 4, Novice Cup titles went down the wire
  2. Soorya PM won all eight Continental GT Cup races (amateur class)
  3. Autocar India’s Zaran Mody on the podium in media race

LGB Formula 4: Ashwin Datta takes clean sweep

Dark Don Racing’s Ashwin Datta put on a dominant display in the finale. However, there was just one point separating the top two championship contenders heading into the final race. Datta, Saran Vikram Tmars and Arya Singh were all battling it out on track, but Datta had the upper hand and secured victory once again to wrap up the title.

“This is probably the closest championship JK (Tyre) has ever seen in 25 years,” said Datta. “Going into the final race, only one point had separated the top two. I was leading comfortably and then the safety car came in. It slashed my lead and Arya (Singh) overtook. I did not give up, put my head down and gave my best. I would never forget this moment and this day in my entire life. I’m grateful to my whole team at Dark Don Racing for their consistent support throughout.”

Kyle Kumaran wins Novice Cup title

It all boiled down to the final race in the Novice Cup as well. DTS Racing’s Kyle Kumaran had already won two races on Saturday. Keeping the overall championship in mind, his focus for the final race was simply making it to the finish line, rather than taking any risks. He ended up finishing second, behind race winner MSport’s Dhruvh Goswami, but it was still enough for Kumaran to take home the title, despite having to skip one round this season.

Vinith Kumar, who won Race 3 on Saturday, finished second overall in the championship, handing DTS Racing a one-two result in the standings.

“It was overall a great season with DTS Racing, with Vinith finishing second as well,” said Kumaran. “It’s very difficult to win the championship having missed one round. In the end, it turned out to be a pretty great season and a great weekend for me.”

Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup: Allwin Xavier, Soorya PM win

For its second season, the Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup switched to a Pro-Am format, with the grid featuring 10 professional and 15 amateur riders. Allwin Xavier won the first race on Saturday and followed it up with a podium finish on Sunday (third place) to win the Pro title.

Soorya PM remained undefeated in the Amateur category all season, winning all eight races en route to securing the title.

The finale also hosted the Continental GT Cup media race, where Autocar India’s very own Zaran Mody finished second, behind Varun Painter.

JK Tyre Endurance League Cup

The final JK Tyre Endurance League Cup race, featuring the Suzuki Gixxer 250cc bikes, was won by Abhishek Vasudevand Amarnath Menon. Jeoffrey Reviven and Johann Reeves were second, followed by Jayanth Prathipati and Alwin Sundar.

Red Bull F1 Mumbai showrun on March 12, 2023

13-time F1 race winner David Coulthard will drive Red Bull’s 2011 championship winning car, the RB7, on the streets of Mumbai.
2 min read19 Dec '22
Unnatee GidithuriUnnatee Gidithuri
Red Bull F1 Mumbai showrun

Formula Bharat 2023 to be held from January 19-24

To be held at Coimbatore’s Kari Motor Speedway, the student competition will be divided into two classes – combustion and electric.
2 min read14 Dec '22
Unnatee GidithuriUnnatee Gidithuri
Formula Bharat

On-track events to test how well the student-built prototypes will hold up in real-world conditions.

Formula Bharat Kari Motor Speedway

Formula Bharat 2023 will be held at the Kari Motor Speedway on January 19-24

Mahindra Racing M9Electro Formula E car revealed with new livery

The new livery has been designed by Mahindra Advanced Design Europe and is inspired by Mahindra’s Born Electric platform design language.
3 min read13 Dec '22
Unnatee GidithuriUnnatee Gidithuri
Mahindra Racing M9Electro Formula E car
Mahindra Racing M9Electro Formula E car side
Mahindra Racing M9Electro Formula E car rear

GodSpeed Kochi wins inaugural Indian Racing League

Hyderabad Black Birds’ Akhil Rabindra won the drivers’ title as the inaugural Indian Racing League season wrapped up at Hyderabad.
2 min read12 Dec '22
Unnatee GidithuriUnnatee Gidithuri
2022 Indian Racing League winners Godspeed Kochi

Godspeed Kochi won the title with 417.5 points

Hero MotoSports Dakar 2023 riders confirmed

Joaquim Rodrigues, Ross Branch, Franco Caimi and Sebastian Buhler will compete for Hero MotoSports in the 2023 Dakar Rally.
2 min read9 Dec '22
Unnatee GidithuriUnnatee Gidithuri

Hero MotoSports' Dakar 2023 riders - Buhler, Caimi, Branch and Rodrigues (left to right)