PANAJI
Back from the cold after five years, with an encouraging sponsorship coming in, the dynamic restaurateur from South Goa is back what he knows best - getting behind the engine, whizzing around the bends on the race track full throttle with skill, finesse, speed and technique.
After a hiatus of five years from the racing circuit, Donovan incidentally is the only Goan among 20 racers at the ongoing Volkswagen Ameo Cup 2017, which commenced in Coimbatore in July. Of the 10 races in the Championship, four have been completed thus far - two in Coimbatore with the other two in Chennai. He is now revving up for his next race in Chennai on Saturday, with another two to follow the next day in the same city. The remainder of the three races will be held next month, also in the Southern metro.
Currently fourth in the standings, Donovan admits he had a few setbacks or else he would be a position higher. "I had penalties that brought me down. I lost out on 20 points and had a 30-second penalty," the racer divulged.
What prompted his return to the competitive race grid after five years, and the racer stated: "I had sponsors this year as also I had a little more time on hand that made me decide to race again." But getting into competitive racing after a break is no child's play is a foregone conclusion. And Donovan does not deny the fact. "From January, to sharpen my skills again I began go karting at the track in Nuvem," he stated.
Has he returned to the track to stay for a longer time? And he diplomatically replies: "I will definitely be doing this whole season, three races this weekend and another three in September. For the next year, I will be talking to my sponsors of this year and if things go well, I will continue."
"This season Witlinger, Highbury Classic (Blue Ocean Beverages), Cazulo, Vaz Enterprises have ensured my participation through their sponsorship," Donovan added.
On the scene of motorsports in Goa, he stated that the whole scene needs exposure to grow. "Unless we have more exposure, we will not have more people getting on the racetrack," the 28-year-old racer concluded matter-a-factly.
