CHENNAI: The second round of the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship 2022 at the Madras International Circuit was witness to a horrific crash Saturday that claimed the life of KE Kumar, a well-respected racer. He was 59.
The tragic incident occurred when Kumar’s car came in contact with that of a competitor during the saloon cars race Sunday morning. The car slid across the track and landed on the roof after slamming into a fence.
The race was immediately stopped (red flag). Within minutes, Kumar was extricated from the wreckage and transferred into an ambulance before being shifted to a nearby hospital after a preliminary examination at the track’s medical centre.
Despite the best efforts of the hospital’s doctors, he succumbed to his injuries.
Chairman of the Meet Vicky Chandhok said: “It is a most unfortunate incident. Kumar was an experienced racer. I have known him for several decades as a friend and competitor. The MMSC and entire racing fraternity mourn his passing away and convey heartfelt condolences to his family.”
Chandhok added that the national governing body for the sport FMSCI and the organisers, MMSC, have launched an investigation into the tragedy.
Meanwhile, as a mark of respect to Kumar, who was a life member of MMSC, the remainder of the day’s schedule was cancelled.
Chirag Ghorpade tops MRF F2000 race; Double for Arjun Balu, Raghul Rangasamy
On Sunday, the concluding day of the second round of the championship, Bengaluru’s Chirag Ghropade held his nerve to win his second race of the season in the premier MRF Formula 2000 category at the Madras International Circuit here.
Also in the limelight were Coimbatore veteran Arjun Balu (Race Concepts) and Mamallapuram’s Raghul Rangasamy (MSport) who completed a double each this weekend in the Indian Touring Cars and the Formula LGB category, respectively.
Ghorpade, 17, did well to survive close attention from Salem’s Sai Sanjay, before crossing the finish line while Mohammed Ryan from Chennai completed the podium.
In contrast, Balu, starting P5 on the reverse grid, showed amazing pace as he jumped into the lead by Turn-4 in the very opening lap of the scheduled 12-lap race which was reduced to nine after it was red-flagged following the incident involving Kumar and then re-started. Thereafter, Balu again went into cruise mode to destroy the field.
Chennai’s Raja Rajan (Performance Racing) topped in the Indian Junior Touring Cars category while another local racer, Narendran S (Redline Racing) won in the Super Stock class.
Rangasamy, who earlier in the day had won the Formula LGB 1300 race after starting form P11 on the reverse grid, continued his winning-ways by topping the next outing to complete a fine double.
The third round of the championship is slated for January 20-22 at the same venue followed by the fourth and concluding round on January 27-29.
