Arjun Khaire Wins At Red Rabbit Racers Pune Talent Scout

Throughout 2021, Team Red Rabbit Racers, a professional karting team, has been organising talent scout programs across Indian cities like Vadodara, Pune, Mumbai and Bangalore. The program aims to promote grassroots motorsports by identifying and grooming potential motorsport athletes, and giving them a platform to pursue racing as a career option. The fastest drivers in these events - age no bar - get sponsored formula racing training and a chance to race for the Red Rabbit Racers team in national and even international championships. 

At the Pune event held on September 23, a total of 46 participants turned up at the KartDrome go-karting circuit. The event started with five laps of practice for every participant followed by 10 laps for qualifying spread out in five batches. The racers setting the quickest lap times were then put in three knockout stages for 10 laps, from which the top three drivers were moved to the semifinals and then to the final race of the evening.  

Throughout the day, and especially the final race saw the competitors showcasing tremendous racecraft on the track. Aniket Hazare, an experienced member of the Pune karting scene, had a good start and took an early lead in the final race. Arjun Khaire, another familiar face around the Pune Karting scene, got caught up in traffic at the start but fought his way through, eventually passing 14-year-old racer and track record setter Neythan McPherson for a second position after a good fight. Soon, Khaire caught up with Hazare and took the lead, leaving Aniket in the jaws of Neythan, who was determined to win after having dominated the circuit the entire day. His light weight and smooth driving made him finish a lonely second after passing Aniket Hazare, who completed the podium.  

Winners now have an opportunity to train with professional racing teams along with Level 1 karting training at Meco Kartopia Bangalore, along with Level international, Formula LGB 1300 and even the Indian Touring Car Championship.