The fourth and final leg of the J K Tyre national racing championship at Chennai saw close finishes in both Esteem and FISSME events, with J D Madan and Gaurav Dalal winning the overall championship titles in their categories.
The Esteem 10-lap category saw defending champion J D Madan having a torrid time right from the start, with Ayub Khan breathing down his neck. However, Khan's vehicle let him down and Madan had the championship under his belt.
In the 15-lap event, Khan got back to the starters order after repairs. But a cautious start saw him lose the lead to Madan.
Madan was a worthy winner with an aggregate of 71 points, followed by Ayub Khan (56) and Radha Selvaraj (45) for second and third spots.
The 10 lap FISSE races turned out to be a battle royale, with a full grid of 18 cars trying to outwit each other. That the event was a close one was marked by the fact that only 3/100th of a second separated the first two finishers.
Delhi's Gaurav Gill went past Gaurav Dalal in the fifth lap at the slow right corner and never relinquished the lead. Delhi's Jigar Muni finished third.
In the 15 lap FISSME race, defending champion Sarosh Hataria saw his driveshaft pop out in the pit lane. Though the pit crew fixed it quickly, he had to start from the pit lane, as per rules, dealing a blow to his championship chances.
Gaurav Dalal, needing one point to make up with Hataria, won the event and the championship title, for the first time. Gaurav Gill finished second, while Punjab's Amanpret Ahluwalia was third.
Results of fourth and final leg events:
Esteem:
10 laps: 1. J D Madan (12 min 55.068 secs); 2. Radha Selvaraj (13:01.502); 3. Vikram Murthy (13:22:925)
15 laps: 1. J.D.Madan (19:21.8985); 2. Ayub Khan (19:26:489); 3. Radha Selvaraj (19:34.886).
FISSME:
10 Laps: 1. Gaurav Gill (12:19.053); 2.Gaurav Dalal (12:19:819); 3. Jigar Muni (12:33:268)
15 laps: 1. Gaurav Dalal (18:13:851); 2. Gaurav Gill (18:36:475); 3. Amanpreet Aluwalia (18:50:746).
