Raaj Bakhru, Raiden Samervel win their classes at the Ajmera IndiKarting Clash of Pros

Some of India’s best talent participated in the two-day FMSCI-sanctioned IndiKarting Clash of Pros – keeping Covid related protocols in place – which took place at the Ajmera IndiKarting track in Wadala, Mumbai. Besides, the more than expected entries in the Pro senior meant the seniors were split into groups and got four races each, with six races in total. Mumbai’s Raaj Bakhru qualified on pole in the Pro Senior with a lap time of 27.491seconds, a mere tenth of a second ahead of Rahul Deshpande and Ojas Surve. Meanwhile, city-mate Raiden Samervel bagged pole in the Pro Junior, ahead of Veer Sheth and Nirvaan Chandna.

Starting off with the Pro Senior class, Race 1 saw Bakhru stamp his authority to win from pole ahead of Deshpande and Neville Tata who had a strong showing, climbing from seventh on the grid. Deshpande then won Race 2, while Bakhru claimed the third race. Surve and Aditya Patnaik, were second and third in Race 2 and 3. Former National Karting Champion and JK Formula 1300 champion Aaroh Ravindra started last in Race 4, but showed his class to snatch the win, ahead of Bakhru and Ishaan Barde who completed the podium.

Barde then won Race 5, post an intense battle with Ravindra, with Surve following in third. Race 6 was won by Aditya Pandit ahead of Patnaik, while Paarth Damani drove well to make it on the podium for the final race.

Moving now to the Pro Junior category, and Samervel dominated. He started from Pole in Race 1 and won ahead of Sheth and Chandna. The grid for Race 2 was based on Race 1 results’ reversal, and saw Samervel start from eighth. Despite that, he was able to carve his way through the field to take the win! Hoshmand Elavia and Chandna were second and third respectively. The story remained the same in the third race as well, with Samervel snatching yet another lights-to-flag win, ahead of Sheth and Elavia.

The overall Pro Senior title was won by Raaj Bakhru with 21 points, a mere half-a-point ahead of Aaroh Ravindra. Aditya Patnaik’s consistency took him to third with 18 points.

Similarly, Raiden Samervel, with 30 points dominated, the Pro Junior ahead of Elavia and Sheth on 18 and 16 points respectively.

Speaking on the success of the event, eight-time National Champion and promoter of IndiKarting, Rayomand Banajee said, “We are very happy to see motorsport pick up again. Young racers travelled from Delhi, Hyderabad and other places around India for the race. Some of them will be traveling abroad to race as well and we wish them the very best.”