Thrilling fare

Published : Mar 08, 2003 00:00 IST

AS a spectator sport Motocross biking has no equals. Even cricket which boasts of thrills and glamour has better audiences only because the game has been marketed better.

D. RAVI SHANKAR

AS a spectator sport Motocross biking has no equals. Even cricket which boasts of thrills and glamour has better audiences only because the game has been marketed better. "If motocross continues to grow the way it has been projected and if more sponsors come in, we can outdo cricket," said Cecil Dewars, V.P., Corporate Communications of TVS.

He may have a point there. Watching the bikes revy up the engines and soar to heights of more than 30 feet on the table tops, the crowds whooped in delight. Watching the young bikers race for positioning and dispute the lead, the crowds yelled and cheered vociferously.

The final leg of the MRF National Motocross certainly added a number of enthusiasts to its list of competitors. Young college students were quick to make enquiries about how to compete and facilities available. The tribe is certainly on the rise.

Team TVS Racing's new blue-eyed boy C. Vijaykumar showed some fine skills while riding his RM 125. Letting his former team-mate Nipendar Jassy do the initial running, Vijaykumar bided his time to launch a successful overtake bid and sweep ahead in the race. Vijaykumar spotted a skidding Nipendar Jassy and stepped on the throttle to assume command in the first moto of the Experts (Foreign Motorcycle class) and keep up the lead to win. Jassy eventually settled for third place with Yogesh Barguje claiming the runner-up spot. In the second moto of the Expert's class too Jassy streaked ahead only to be caught up on a table top and beaten by Vijaykumar. The TVS prot�g� had been selected to represent India at the Dubai Asian Championship.

TVS Racing emerged winner in four of the six motocrosses held on the day. For Team Pacer Yamaha, Syed Eathsham bagged a double in the other two events. Syed won the Novice Class for Indian Motorcycles and also the Experts class for Indian bikes.

Team TVS Racing's G. Prasad and C. D. Jinan were also among the winners (Class III and Class V Experts on Indian bikes) while Vikaykumar achieved a fine double, winning the Class II event.

The results:

Class I (Indian Experts-Foreign Motorcycles): 1. C. Vijaykumar, 2. Yogesh Barguje, 3. Nipendar Jassy.

Class II (Indian Bikes): 1. C. Vijaykumar, 2. Yogesh Barguje, 3. T. K. Vishwanath.

Class III (Indian Experts-Indian Motorcycles) 1. G. Prasad, 2. C. Vijaykumar, 3. Rustam Patel.

Class IV (Novices-Indian Motorcycles) 1. Syed Eathsham, 2. K. P. Chandan, 3. Suresh Kurangiri.

Class V (Indian Experts-Indian Motorcycles): 1. C. D. Jinan, 2. T. K. Vishwanath, 3. Syed Rahman.

Class VI (Indian Experts-Indian Motorcycles) 1. Syed Eathsham, 2. Shivakumar, 3. Suresh Kurangiri.

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