Motorsports captures the term ‘standing still means going backward’ better than most other forms of competitive sport, as the technology and the incremental improvements change race by race, let alone over years.
So when a driver takes a two-year break from active racing only to make a comeback and lead the standings in the premier category in the National championship, it is time to take notice.
Vikash Anand, 22, returned to the MRF 1600 — the premier single-seater championship in the country — for the second round in March, and it was a journey into the unknown, even for someone who has had three seasons of experience in this class.
But after the four races that weekend in March, the former runner-up finished with two wins, a podium and 78 points in the bag. When asked about the reasons for his break, Vikash says, “After 2014, I wanted to take a step back and assess what to do. I also wanted to focus on my education and was stuck with budget. We planned for a one-year break that became two years. But it also helped me start from the basics and help me grow.”
Karthik Tharani who won the title last year had taken the lead in the standings with four wins from the first four races. However, in the next five races, including three over the last weekend, Vikash recorded four wins to be tied at 136 points, alongside Karthik at the top of the table.
Vikash adds, “When I decided to return to racing, I was not very keen on doing the 1600 since I have already done it a few times. “Eventually, I chose this to get some seat time and mileage under my belt.”
It was a decision that now could pay rich dividends for Vikash. If he tops the field in the championship, he could attend the selections for the Mazda Road to Indy shootout which has a scholarship worth $200,000 and a National title could secure a full season drive in the MRF Challenge (F2000) winter series (Karthik is not eligible for the National title).
Speaking about his mindset as he made his return, Vikash says, “I lacked confidence and had doubts about my racecraft. Never did I realise I would be this quick and leading the championship.”
For Vikash this is not the first time he has taken a break and made a comeback. Back in 2012 he stayed away for one season only to comeback and finish as runner-up in the MRF 1600 in 2013. So how does he do that? “My basics are very strong. In karting Akbar Ebrahim helped me a lot. Later Radha Selvaraj (a successful saloon car racer) helped me from the day I got into formula cars. And, since 2010, Narain Karthikeyan has helped a lot. He has taught me how to manage tyres and drive according to situations. I had a very strong base thanks to these people. So even if I don’t race for some time the basics help me be competitive quickly.”
While it has been a dream run so far, the constant breaks have also meant the climb up the ladder has been slow. So where does he see himself realistically in the sport. “For now my focus is to win the title, get the scholarship, and assess things. I am not thinking beyond that. “Obviously the aim is F1 but the more realistic target will be a seat in the Le Mans Prototypes. I think it is possible to have a settled future in endurance racing.”
