The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Motor : Speed NK Racing makes a strong impression

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Speed NK Racing makes a strong impression

Coimbatore: Three years ago, Narain Karthikeyan started his fledgling team, Speed NK Racing. The prime objective was to identify, nurture and groom young Indian racing drivers into potential champions. After 20 race weekends, the Fastest Indian in the World is a contented man as his graduates have all made a strong impression at both the national and the international level.

The first batch of ‘young guns’, chosen through a ‘shoot-out’ process in 2006, have all made successful international careers in motor sports. Aditya Akkineni raced in the Formula BMW Asia championship, and is now pursuing his Masters Degree in motor sport engineering at the Coventry University in the United Kingdom.

Akhil Khushlani had progressed into the same championship in 2007, and continues with his good work. Aditya Patel stayed with Speed NK Racing in 2007 and went on to win the National championship in the most convincing manner with nine podium finishes including four commanding wins.

He then shifted gears to the Formula BMW Pacific Championship in 2008 and took everybody by surprise with a podium finish in his debut race. Aditya now races in the Volkswagen Polo Cup in Germany along with another Speed NK Racing product Ashwin Sundar.

“Being successful as an international racing driver was a childhood ambition of mine, and I am very fortunate to have achieved many of my sporting goals. I know, better than most people, how difficult it is to succeed in this chosen career path,” said Narain. — Sports Reporter

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