Gamer to racer: Narain Karthikeyan’s academy shows the way

What is the collaboration about?

This new initiative sees the NK Racing Academy team up with Ultimate E – a new virtual racing series co-founded by Indian racers Aditya Patel and Armaan Ebrahim, who also happened to spearhead the X1Racing League. Of course, Patel himself is a product of the NK Racing Academy, having spent his formative racing years training there. So far, the series has provided a platform for gamers across the country to test their skills on the virtual stage against some of the best drivers in India, including Karthikeyan himself.

What can the selected gamers expect?

The collaboration will provide a unique opportunity for the selected gamers to try and convert their gaming talent into real-world racing ability. As per a statement released by the academy, in addition to Karthikeyan providing hands-on training to the selected drivers, the academy will provide coaching to optimise driving techniques, mental and physical fitness, and even media interaction skill. Drivers who excel in the academy will then stand a chance to gain scholarships for their future racing endeavours.

NK Racing Academy signs Amith Kutti 

The NK Racing Academy has already signed on its first gamer, Amith Kutti, who has been a prominent name in the Indian virtual racing scene. Just last week, he managed to win the Mumbai Falcons Indian Sim Racing League. He will now join the academy’s karting programme, and should things go well, NK Racing Academy is hoping to find him a spot in the Rotax Max national championship.

“We are extremely happy and positive about this collaboration with ultimate E. It aims at expanding horizons in Indian motorsport and promoting young talent. eRacing has become more relevant now with the COVID-19 situation. In the first edition of this collaboration, we have decided to sign up Amith Kutti who has excelled in multiple eSports leagues and has easily come on top as the fastest gamer in India. Amith will be testing for NK Racing Academy in our Karting program in the near future once the lockdown is lifted where the academy will evaluate his capabilities, train him and ultimately push him to a race seat in the Rotax Max national championship,” said Karthikeyan.

“I’m really happy to be guided by Narain Karthikeyan. It’s an honour and a huge opportunity to be guided by him and moving from the virtual world to real world racing, I'm really excited and I hope to impress with my skills” added Kutti.

Also see:

Virtual racing series to follow during the lockdown

FMSCI outlines plan to resume motorsport in India