MARGAO
Top riders from across the country will be seen in action at the Navelim Supercross Track which is set to host the inaugural round of 18th edition of MRF MOGRIP-FMSCI National Supercross Championship 2017 on April 16 at Bellem-Navelim.
This will be the 1st of the six-round championship -the biggest for off road two wheeler competition. Godspeed Racing Pune spearheaded by seven times, National two wheeler motorsports champion Shyam Kothari have owned the rights of organizing this championship for the last six years .
Briefing newsmen, Shyam Kothari stated that this is the second consecutive year wherein a leg of this championship is being held in Goa at this popular supercross track. “We have identified Goa as an integral part of this sport and the championship,” he said, adding: “We get huge support from the local authorities and an event in Goa attracts some of the best crowds we have seen any where in the country and that’s the reason we have decided to host the inaugural round here.”
Kothari disclosed that the 18th edition has attracted close to 100 entries for eight categories with more entries coming each day.
A total prize money of Rs 3.5 lakh is up for grabs. The stalawarts of motorsports club headed by Sydney Soares and Frankie Pires have been the chief architects of the National SX Events in Goa. This event in Goa is being held under the ageis of SAG with the guidance from the SAG Executive Director VM Prabhudessai.
Kothari disclosed that the organizers have taken all precautionary measures to ensure the safety of participants and spectators.
KP Aravind (Team TVS Bangalore), Tanveer AW,Raugved Barguje, Yash Pawar (Team TVS) are some of the Indian riders who have participated in recent Asian Super cross events and will compete with privateers Jignesh Patel and Jatin Jain from Nagpur, Harshal Kadbane (Nashik), MS Prince (Delhi) to enthrall the spectators with their daredevil style. Suhail Ahmed, Vishal Barguje and Natraj will vie for top honours in Group C races.
Shabuddin Sayed and Irffan Killedar are the local favourties to clinch the local class. Tannika Shanbhag who returned from World GP Malaysia is a female rider who will be pose a stiff competiton against her colleague Yuvraj Kondeskmukh and Karan Karte in the JR SX.
“Prize money will act as a tonic for the participants who are expected to come up with their best punches,” said an official. The upcoming championship will surely add a zing to the motorsports in the city. “I appeal to the people of Goa to attend in large numbers to witness the opening round,” added the SAG ED, praising the organizers.
