TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: C S Santosh, currently the nation’s reigning supercross champion and one of the finest riders the country has ever produced, will display his prowess with the machine on Sunday (February 12) during the supercross event being organised by Fast Track Association of Goa at Navelim.
Santosh is currently the premier rider of the TVS Racing team, having donned the mantle of keeping the adrenaline pumping in the Foreign Open categories for the last seven years.
In a sport that attracts more spectators in India than any other motor sport, Santosh, who made waves with his unique riding style and his ability to entertain will provide an exhibition of his tricks and exquisite manoeuvres with the two-wheeler, which is certain to thrill the fans.
Santosh will also conduct a 4-day training for Goa riders starting on February 13 at Navelim, providing special tips on the finer aspects of two-wheeler racing, disclosed Nat supercross and motocross champ, Alan Sequeira.
Meanwhile, the FMSCI will conduct a training programme for marshals on February 9 and 10 at Navelim under the guidance of S P S Garcha, regional director. “It’s the first of its kind in the country,” added Alan.
Anthony Rodrigues, president, Fast Track Association of Goa stated that 20 sportspersons, mostly with two-wheeler racing experience have been registered for the training programme for qualifying as marshals which will cover general safety, flag signals, hand signals, incident handling, race starting procedures, lap scoring, finish line procedures, Parc Ferme Regulations, results and wireless communication skills.
Meanwhile, preparations for the main Sunday event at Navelim are in full swing, for the first event in motor racing in Goa for 2012, which has been officially recognised by FMSCI, having been granted the permit after obtaining all clearances.
“The racing scene has now shifted to South Goa, with no races being granted recognition by FMSCI elsewhere in the State. Even in the future, Navelim will be the hub of official activities and the Goa riders can now depend on this track for their future,” remarked Alan.
“There have been some attempts from some disgruntled elements to discourage some riders from participating in the Sunday event, who are spreading canards, only because the event has attracted the best of Goa’s talent, incidentally topmost ones,” pointed out Alan.
“Since the possibility of having official racing events elsewhere have evaporated, utter lies are being spread. The event is an opportunity for Goa riders to test their skills with the others from other parts of country and a great chance to showcase the talent in the State, indeed a great exposure, before thousands of fans eager to root for their favourites,” stated Alan.
“The fact that FMSCI has allotted a workshop to train the marshals at Navelim is testimony of the importance being attached to the event and the trust reposed on Fast Track Association of Goa is a recognition of the organisational abilities,” stressed Anthony, who added that there are no bigger and better riders in Goa other than Alan and Javed Shaikh, who have shone at National level competitions, and that no Goa team is a true representative of the State without these two.
