Gulf Cup Dirt Track Racing Nashik 2011

R. Prakash of Coimbatore came up with a flawless display on his to emerge supreme in the Foreign Motorcycles upto 260cc Private Expert class, in the second round of the Gulf Cup Dirt Track Racing series for two-wheelers in Nashik on Sunday.

The 28 year-old rider from Coimbatore also won in the Group B to emerge the best rider of the meet, sponsored by Gulf Oil Corporation Limited and organised by Sportscraft, Mumbai, in association with Nashik Automotive Sports Association (NASA).

In addition to the trophies he won from each class, he took home prize-money of Rs.12800/-.

The second round of the Gulf Cup, which will culminate in the Clash of the Titans after three rounds of competition at different venues around the country, attracted a record 165 entries. And, needless to say, the competition was top class all the way. While the experienced riders provided attractive riding, the novices, or first time riders too displayed a degree of versatility on t heir bikes.

The course laid out by organizers Sportscraft was really tough. In addition to the sharp bends there was also loose gravel and water-logged areas which made staying in the saddle dicey. Many riders, particularly the first timers, lost their balance and took a tumble or two.

R. Prakash was always under pressure as he went through the motions on the serpentine course, specially laid out course by organizers Sportscraft at the Idgah Ground, Golf club, Trimbak Road. But to his credit, he did well to strike the perfect balance on the sharp bends to stay ahead of the rest of the field and come out trumps.

Challenging him all the way was Shamim Khan second position and Vineeth Kurup third position both from Nashik.

Pradeep H.K from TVS Racing Team was best in the Indian Expert class winning both the Races in Indian Expert Group ‘B’ Motorcycle upto 260 cc 2 & 4 Stroke , finishing ahead of K.P Arvind and Nataraj. R all from TVS Racing Team from Bangalore.

TVS Racing Team displayed great talent in Indian Expert Group ‘A’ Motorcycle upto 260 cc 2 & 4 Stroke each rider trying to gain supremacy.

The Private Expert Class,Group B – Motorcycles Upto 260cc – 2 & 4 Stroke – A. Anand won the first Race and was followed by R. Prakash both riders from Coimbatore and Pinkesh Thakker had to be satisfied in the third position. However in Race 2, R. Prakash took lead pushing A. Anand to second position and Sansar P.I. of Kochi in third place.

With a narrow margin separating the top riders one can be sure a battle royal in the next round in Bhopal on 25th &26th February. The Final Clash of Titans will be held on Sunday 27th February 2011 at Bhopal.

The novice class Motorcycle 131 cc upto 165 cc 4 Strke was won by Naresh VS from Bangalore of TVS Racing team and was followed by S. Kamalakannan of Coimbatore and Anil Kumar from Bangalore in second & third place respectively.

While as in Novice Class Motorcycle upto 165 cc 2 stroke Santosh Kumar K of Combatore stole the show leaving Afsal NN of Kochi in the second position and S. Kamalakannan in third position.

Pinkesh Thakker from Pune was best in the local category (Maharashtra) winning both the Groups Motorcycle upto 165cc 2 & 4 stroke and also winning the Scooter Class.

It must be said that the riders displayed raw courage and skillful riding and gave the huge crowd much to shout about.

Race Results