Round 1 of Honda One Make Race ends on full throttle

It’s always a very special feeling being at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore. For most, there probably isn’t a better way to spend an entire weekend. It remains a sport that is largely dominated by representation from the country’s southern parts, but with every passing year the ‘MMSC - FMSCI National Motorcycle Racing Championship’ is only getting bigger, better and tougher.

But, this was a particularly special weekend for me courtesy Honda, who were kind enough to fly me down to Coimbatore and enlist me in my first ever Honda One Make racing competition. Held at Kari Motor Speedway, from 5th – 7th July, 2013, this was HMSI’s sixth year as the only Honda team from India to participate in the ‘MMSC - FMSCI National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2013’.

As per the new format this year, around 20 CBR 250R performance bikes could be leased to teams registered at FMSCI. Excluding the engine, chassis and tyres of CBR 250R, any other modifications were permitted to enhance the performance of motorcycles. Participating teams were also provided with Original Spare parts worth Rs. 10,000 and set of tyres replacement per round by Honda. 

This year over 77 riders participated in Round 1 of Honda One Make Race. As one of the 44 riders to compete for the CBF Stunner cup this year, I must say the experience was absolutely sensational. As a virgin on the racetrack I realized very early on that my pace was nowhere close to even the Novice riders, but between the training session and the qualifying stage that followed I was able to get a hand of Kari’s short but engaging layout, and managed to significantly improve my lap times over two days.

Unfortunately, I was unable to post a good enough time to qualify for the final race. Of the 44 riders who took part in the Stunner cup in Round 1, it was Meka Viduraj who led from the word Go, passing the chequered flag ahead of the competition in all three races.

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A total of 19 participants qualified in the 150cc ‘CBR 150R’ race, but as expected both races in this category were dominated by Sumit Lucas Toppo and SK Prakash, as they earned the No 1 and No 2 spots for their fabulous performance and consistency. 

The most exciting of the lot was the CBR 250R race, which saw 14 expert riders from 5 teams compete this year. Among them was local hero K Rajini Krishnan, who earlier this year made history by becoming the first Indian rider to win an international motorcycle event. No surprise then, that Rajini outclassed his lesser experience competition, and won both races in this category. Abhishek V of Moto Rev India and another one of India’s biggest talents, S Sarath Kumar (Moto3 world championship rider) kept Rajini on his toes as each of them settled for the second and third place in one of the two races.

Commenting on this year’s successful start to the Honda One Make season, Keita Muramatsu, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd said “This is 6th successful year we are conducting Honda One Make Race. As a responsible member of society, Honda will continue to expand safe fun biking culture in India.” 

All participants were judged in their respective categories, of which Top 3 racers were awarded a cash prize of Rs. 7500 for 1st position, Rs. 5000 for 2nd place and Rs. 2500 for 3rd place. To further promote riders and develop riding skills HMSI also sponsoring 2 riders - Sumit Locus Toppo & Prabhu Arunagiri in the Asia Dream Cup this year. A total 6 rounds are to be conducted in Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Japan and Qatar.