Ace rider Allan gets podium finish

Ace rider Allan gets podium finish
 Looking for sponsorship to sustain momentum
HERALD SPORTS REPORTER
PANJIM, JULY 31
Goa’s ace supercross motorcycle rider, Allan Sequeira kept the State’s flag flying high for the third time in succession as he managed to get a podium finish at the 3rd MRF National Supercross Championship (Round Three) at Jaipur recently. He finished second.
Allan had won the top places both in Bangalore (Round One) as well as Coimbatore (Round Two) earlier and this time he was pushed to the second place by local Jaipur rider Gaurav Khatri.
Allan finished first in the first moto in his Honda CR and was leading in the second moto until the second last lap when Gaurav overtook him. It was the toughest round as the track was sandy in Jaipur. Besides, the local rider had the biggest advantage of being used to the home track.
Allan started alongwith 13 others and only eight could complete the race in Class A – private foreign open Group A 2/4 stroke upto 250cc.
A noteworthy feature was that Allan was riding a 2-stroke engine whereas the others had a 4-stroke one. It was sheer dexterity and supreme control and manoeuvrability over the 2-wheeler that enabled the Sirvodem-based rider to finish as runner-up. It goes without saying that if Allan only had a new, modern machine, Allan would done wonders even in Class 1 Foreign Open Class in which presently he finished sixth, since his bike was an old, outdated model as compared to the others.
Without any sponsor to back him, Allan has been a fanatic supercross rider all these years. And, there is no one like him in Goa, making waves at the National level. It looks as if  Allan, the man and machine are almost made for each other and connected together.
Supercross racing is an expensive sport and dangerous too. The only downside in doing this, is that Allan is totally on his own, except that he has the moral backing of Ashley Gomes, who has been kind enough in granting him permission to use the Gomes Racing Track at Calangute. 
Everything in life has risks, but with risks comes rewards or benefits. Allan’s only reward has been to get national recognition and is a much respected and adored figure in his field. Financially he has been drained off. There are very big holes in his pocket. Yet, he persists that he will continue with the sport, for it has become now a passion, his love.
So madly in love Allan is with the sport, that he left his highly remunerative job in US only for the sake of supercross in Goa and India. Even tough his principals in Chicago have been repeatedly renewing their offer since he has a valid US visa for 10 years, Allan has spurned them all. Only for the sheer madness of the sport and his love for Goa and Goans.
Allan hopes against all hope that someone will come to his rescue as he desperately needs to procure a 4-stroke engine. Four-strokes are considered to be good bikes because even though they tend to be heavy, they are easier to ride.
The main advantages of four-stroke engines are they can be used on the street, which usually doubles up as practice for the rider. Four-stroke bikes are easier to maintain and have lower maintenance costs.  They are far more reliable than two stroke engines. 
Allan has developed adequate physique. He has a robust body because one needs to improve the body strength so as to exercise proper control. He has strong legs as hard as rocks and biceps that show every time he flexes his arms.
Allan has felt the danger and is living the life of the dirt biker. He feels the biggest rush of his life, because he has pushed himself to the limits of his capabilities. And, he is ready to do more and more.
Supercross is fun, highly exciting, competitive and action packed, says Allan. Its popularity in Goa is on the rise as can be seen from the vast legion of fans that rush to watch the event with most spectators on the edge of their seats as the riders overcome obstacles and do the steep jumps including huge triple jumps and tight turns.
Allan is now vigourously preparing for the fourth round to be held in Baroda in October and the fifth to be held in Goa in November. He is leading with a tally of 114 points (37, 40, 37) after the three rounds and he is definite that he is determined to maintain the winning momentum. It is a pity that he is alone, finding it very difficult to sustain his not-so-very expensive hobby. But he has not given up hopes of getting someone to sponsor him as he feels that he has had a hand in being able to convert innocent bystanders into ardent fans of the sport besides being also to some extent being responsible alongwith the organisers of the events and others for its success and popularity in Goa. Quickly, he also points out to Mohammed  Kadar of Margao who has also been participating in Class I and VII events and has been a rider striving for excellence.
Undoubtedly, Allan lives by admiration, hope and love.