GB Portuguese veteran Alvaro Parante of Speed Demons Delhi and UK’s Raoul Hyman representing Goa Aces JK Racing held their nerves in a thrilling finish to top the Round 2 of the Indian Racing League races as the historic first-ever night street races, part of the Indian Racing Festival, concluded at the Island grounds circuit, on Sunday.
On a day of high drama and wheel-to-wheel action, with plenty of Safety Car periods, the 39-year-old Parante was pushed to the limit by a couple of young Bengalureans, Sohil Shah from Goa Aces JA Racing and Rishon Rajeev of Bangalore Speedsters, before the Portuguese driver used his vast experience to pick up pace at the crucial moment towards the fag end of the race for a fine win.
Shah briefly led the race before Parante, who had slipped to fourth after an error, caught up and passed him.
Earlier, Raoul Hyman and Gabriela Jilkova delivered a 1-2 finish for Goa Aces JA Racing in Race-1 that had its share of drama. The duo survived it all to take the top two podium spots ahead of Malaysian Alister Yoong (Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers) who did extremely well to climb from P5 to pick up vital points for his team.
Thus, after two rounds, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers lead the championship table with 93 points, followed by Chennai Turbo Riders (83), Speed Demons Delhi (74), Goa Aces JA Racing (73), Bangalore Speedsters (39) and Blackbirds Hyderabad (36).
The Round-3 is scheduled for September 14-15 in Coimbatore.
The Indian Racing Festival, promoted by Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd, is sponsored by Kingfisher Soda, JK Tyres, Mobil 1 and Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited.
The Results:
Indian Racing League (25 minutes + 1 lap) – Driver A (timings not available due to technical issue): 1. Raoul Hyman (UK, Goa Aces JA Racing); 2. Gabriela Jilkova (Czech Republic, Goa Aces JA Racing); 3. Alister Yoong (Malaysia, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers).
Driver B: 1. Alvaro Parante (Portugal, Speed Demons Delhi) (28:02.822); 2. Sohil Shah (India, Goa Aces JA Racing) (28:03.769); 3. Rishon Rajeev (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (28:09.307).
