- NET Web Desk
Rider duo from Sikkim – Ashwin Rai and Pranesh Kumar Dahal are all set to participate in the first season of Continental GT 650 Racing Cup to be held in Kari Motor Speedway, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on October 19.
A total of 101 riders from across the nation have been invited for participation into the National Championship in one-make category, while with the selection process, only top 18 fastest riders would battle for the championship.
The professionally trained riders – Ashwin and Pranesh, are putting-in efforts to make it to the top list.
Ashwin Rai hailing from Gangtok has completed his Bachelors in Business Administration (BBA) from Amity University.
Meanwhile, Pranesh K Dahal, a resident of 7th mile Ranipool pursued his Bachelors in English.
Rai pursued his training from Indian Superbike Racing and Riding Academy (ISBK) this year. While, Dahal completed the professional training from Apex Racing Academy in 2013.
Although, the championship is a maiden one for Ashwin Rai but Pranesh K Dahal has already participated in various championships in the past.
Dahal participated in One Make Championship from TVS racing back in 2014; MRF Challenge 2015; Honda One Make and National Championship in 2017; and TVS one Make Championship in 2020.
While speaking to Sikkim Chronicle, the duo shared about situation of motorsports in the state.
“Sikkim has no racetrack or an open space for a practice thus we have to travel long to Coimbatore, Chennai or Delhi. Racing is also an expensive sport and without sponsorship its quite a task.” – stated Rai.
Furthermore, Dahal informed about the constant motivation they received from their family, despite facing numerous obstacles.
Both the riders confirmed on receiving immense inspiration from celebrated riders like Rajini Krishnan, a multiple times national champion and winner of Malaysia Superbike Championship; Valentiono Rossi, the nine-time world champion; and Joey Dunlop who has clinched the winner title of Isle of Man TT for almost 26 times.
These riders look forward to participate in the forthcoming Isle on Man TT and Irish Road Championship which lies between Ireland and England.
The Continental GT Cup opens the world of real world track racing to thousands of enthusiasts.
Race-ready Continental GT-R650s are built around Royal Enfield’s award-winning 648cc parallel-twin engine and, being a single-make series, ensures all motorcycles on the grid are equal in specification and performance.
