2022 JK NRC: Ashwin Datta wins LGB Formula 4 title

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.