Irungattokottai to host Asian Super Bikes Championship

Chennai: India`s lone international road racing track at Irungattokottai, near suburban Sriperumbudur, has been spruced up at a cost of Rs 80 lakh as it is gearing up to host the fourth leg of Petronas Asian Super Bikes Championship after a gap of 13 years, on Sunday.Vicky Chandhok, chairman of the event`s organizing committee, addressing a press conference here today, expressed high hope that Indian contenders will put up some good show in the championship. "The Madras Motor Sports Trust, owners of the track, has spent Rs 80 lakh for resurfacing the 3.2km distance and also relocated marshal points throughout the track, gravel traps on the run off areas along the track and set up temporary stands for spectators," Chandhok said. Indians will compete in both 600cc and 115cc categories while for the first time a woman rider, Alisha Abdullah is vying for honours in an Asian Championship this year. Three of the Indian riders - Dilip Roger of Team Blue Arrow Racing, Preetham Dev Moses and Krishnan Rajini (of Red Roosters) - have all been performing well in the international circuit. The field in the 115cc (four stroke) category, also to be held on September 6, would have three Indian riders on TVS Suzuki vehicles - T K Viswanath, Karthik and Harry Sylvesterm, as private entries. In all, the grid would have 23 vehicles in this section. Chandhok said the round three of the Honda MRF UAM Asia Cup Road racing would also be held as part of the Sidvin Festival of Speed. Two riders from each of the participating countries would ride (two races) identical Honda Stunner 125cc bikes. The two qualifying events would be held on September 4 and 5. On both the days riders would benefited from free practice sessions of 45 and 40 minutes, respectively. First three rounds of the event were held in Malaysia (April), Japan (May) and Indonesia (June). The final two rounds will be held at the Zuhai Circuit in China in October and December respectively. Bureau Report