AVT Gold Cup Million Endurance Race for two-wheelers held at MMRT

Mathana Kumar and Aravind Balakrishnan, representing Honda Ten10 Racing team, emerged overall champions in the AVT Gold Cup Million Endurance Race for two-wheelers.

Featuring a 'Le Mans style start' the AVT Gold Cup Million race lasted for 90 minutes. (PHOTO: Srinivasa Krishnan V)

The team of Mathana Kumar and Aravind Balakrishnan were the overall winners. (FILE PHOTO)

Mathana Kumar and Aravind Balakrishnan, representing Honda Ten10 Racing team, emerged overall champions in the AVT Gold Cup Million Endurance Race for two-wheelers at the Madras Motor Race Track near Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu on Sunday.

The race also served as a test run for endurance racing for two wheelers in India and was held for a period of 90 minutes.

Endurance motorcycle racing is prevalent in other parts of the world including South-East Asia. There is also an FIM Endurance World Championship. Currently BMW, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki are involved in both eight-hour endurance races as well as 24 hour races that feature two and three rider teams, respectively.

Kishor VS and Antony Peter (Apex Racing Academy) finished second overall ahead of Honda Ten10 Racing team’s Senthil Kumar and AS Alexander. All three podium pairs completed 41 laps.

The final outcome of the race had more to do with the team strategies and not just outright pace. “I think, our strategy worked well today. I went out first, built up a lead which my team-mate Aravind maintained. On my second run, I suffered from cramps, but somehow, I managed to complete my turn, and then Aravind finished well for victory,” said an overjoyed Mathana who rode the Honda CBR 250 bike.

RESULTS:

Overall / Honda CBR 250:

1) Mathana Kumar / Aravind Balakrishnan (Honda Ten10 Racing) 41 laps, 01hr. 31min. 38.048sec

2) Kishor VS / Anthony Peter (Apex Racing Academy) 41 laps, 01:31:57.186

3) Sethil Kumar / AS Alexander (Honda Ten10 Racing) 41 laps, 01:32:06.461

Pro-Stock Open (301-400cc):

1) P Sai Sahil / G Vikas Kumar 40 laps, 01:31:50.690

2) K Raja Pandian / Varun Patil 38 laps, 01:32:06.038

3) Aakash Rajshakha / Bhumik Lalwani 37 laps, 01:32:53.352

Pro-Stock Open (130-165cc):

1) Yashas RL / K Kannan 39 laps, 01:31:45.003

2) A Amala Jerald / C Rajkumar (Honda Ten10 Racing) 39 laps, 01:32:11.871