PONDA: Goa’s Saamag Kudchadkar was adjudged the fastest Goan driver at National Autocross championship which concluded here on Sunday.
Driving a Honda 1500 cc, Saamag (27) blazed the 1.2 km track in 1:36:22 minutes in the “Time Attack” category. He was followed by Philippos Matthai of Delhi (1:36:99) and Vivek Ruthuparna of Bengaluru (1:39:02) minutes. They were together adjudged the fastest three racers in the “Time Attack” category.
Among Goan male racers, Saamag Kudchadkar, Amey Desai and Azim Hanchi were adjudged the fastest, while Kartavi Mashelkar Marathe, Ashrafi Gaikwad and Reshma Hussain were the fastest Goan women racers in the “Time Attack” category.
Meanwhile, Philippos was adjudged the fastest driver in the Indian national autocross championships (INAC) category.
Vaibhav Marathe, secretary, All Goa Motorsports Association in a demonstration drive clocked the fastest time of 1:35 minutes which was not part of the championships.
Another interesting racer was Pradeep Nair of Mumbai, who at 67 was the oldest racer. A racer and rallyist for the last 50 years, Nair who has been a three-time past winner in the Formula Indian Grand Prix racing said, “Racing has been in my blood. I love to take part in dirt track racing nowadays.”
Fastest Goa men: Saamag Kudchadkar -1, Amey Desai. Azim Hanchi. Fastest Goa ladies: Kartavi Mashelkar Marathe -1, Ashrafi Gaikwad, Reshma Hussain. Fastest INAC driver: Philippos Matthai
