Bangaloreans cannot forget that mind-blowing feat they witnessed five years ago. A drag race as part of a bike launch in the City was the occasion. As expertised racers were speeding on their bikes to win the title, a 13 year old boy slowly got on a bike and simply outshined all other speed giants and bagged the first price. The most funny part of the thing was that the organisers could not give him the prize money since he did not posses a competitor’s licence from the Indian Federation, a body controlling motor sport. The little guy, Ashwin Sundar, is now a national champion in karting, bike racing, and formula car racing and an international runner-up champion in motorcycle racing. Ashwin and his father Sundar, who were in the city last week with some sponsorship matters, spent some time with metrolife.
“Speed has been my passion always. I cannot even think of a world without bikes and cars. I began driving at the age of nine. The thrill of racing is something that words cannot explain. But for me it’s not a funny thing, it’s purely professional”, says this Chennai based little champion. As any other world champions, he started his motor sport career in carting. This speeding star is the youngest driver to obtain racing licence in the country at the age of 13. He is lucky to get it at that age because the age limit to get this licence has been raised to 15 recently by the Federation. He has become the youngest ever Driver to win two national titles in the JK Tyre National Racing Championship in the same year by winning its Formula LGB Swift Class and Formula LGB Hyundai Class in 2007.
Ashwin was also the youngest rider to have been declared the 'Champion of Champions' in the Ucal Rolon National Racing Championship series in 2006.
“Sponsorship is a major problem in this field. The approximate budget for a racing season is Rs 60 to 70 lakhs. A lot of boys like Ashwin have talents but they are not being recognised because of the lakh of sponsors. Unless they get sponsors, they cannot do anything in this field. Just a week’s driving practice costs Rs 30 thousand approximately”, says Ashwin’s father Sundar, who has been spending Rs 30 lakh per year for his son. But Sundar and Ashwin are extremely grateful to Schwing Stetter India Private Ltd, Yamaha Motor India, Ramaniyam Builders and Rams Racing; they are sponsoring this champion. In 2005 Ashwin decided to leave four-wheelers and concentrate on bikes because of the lakh of sponsors. But he was back on four-wheelers when Schwing Stetter India Private Ltd came forward to sponsor him. “But to continue in the track, I need big sponsors. I am looking for Corporates for the purpose.” says Ashwin.
Like any other rider, accidents and injuries are his companions. His collar bone was broken when he fell down from his vehicle during a practice session two months ago. Before recovering from this injury he again broke the same bone in another accident last week. But Sundar is anxious over such accidents that happen to his son. “He is my only child and I am affraid of such untoward things. I always ask him to leave two-wheelers and concentrate on four wheelers for his safety. But the thrill of driving makes him forget the threat of accident and pain of injuries.”, he says.
This champion is nurturing an ambition to win Moto GP 125cc World Championship. Let us wait for another stunning performance from Ashwin.
