Delhi kid Shankar wants corporates to fuel racers' ambition

New Delhi, June 6 (UNI) The new kid in the racing circuit, Delhi's promising racer Karthik Shankar wants to be the next Karun Chandok, but fears lack of corporate interest in the sport may bring his dreams to a screeching halt.

Shankar, who set the circuit on fire with a joint third place podium finish alongwith citymate Rohit Khanna in the recently-concluded JK Tyre Junior Racing Cup in Chennai, feels lack of sponsorship is a big concern for the country's young racing aspirants.

''Sponsorship is a big issue if one wants to make it big in racing, it is very expensive. In India all the money goes into cricket and other sports hardly get any importance,'' Shankar told UNI.

However, the Delhi lad who seemed very calculative about his career moves when he expressed his desire to climb up the ladder of succees step by step, said he is lucky in terms of sponsorship as he is associated with three big companies -- Valvoline, Pete's and JK Tyre.

When asked about why he chose racing as a career over other sports which have far more recognition, he said it his 'love for adventure and speed' that drove him towards racing.

''I've been go-carting since 2001, and at 2005 I started racing. I love adventures in life, speed and thrills gives me pleasure and thats why I took up racing,'' Shankar said.

The 19-year-old driver's next aim is to put up an impressive performance at the JK Tyre National Racing Championships to be held in two phases -- first in Coimbatore starting from June 17 and then in Chennai from September 2 -- as it is the benchmark for securing a berth at the next Formula BMW Asia.

'' Now I want to do well at the National circuit as national results and sponsorship will decide my particiaption in the BMW Asia,'' said Shankar.

''I want to climb up the ladder step by step as there is no other option in racing. If I manage to compete in the BMW Asia, my next target would be Formula III, then GP-II and obviously the dream of every racer, the Formula-I,'' he added.

But if the teenage driver cannot fulfil his dreaming of flying in land, he wants to take to flying in the skies as he is presently pursuing a professional flying course to keep his adrenaline rush going for adventure and speed.

''Soon after the racing season I will leave for flying training to US,'' Shankar said.

UNI