JK Tyre Drift Challenge: Indian Drifting ace Sanam Sekhon crowned first-ever champion at Buddh International Circuit

Greater Noida, Oct 16: Sanam Sekhon, celebrated as India's Drift Champion, made history by claiming victory in two out of three categories at the inaugural JK Tyre Drift Challenge here on Monday (October 16).

This event marked India's first official drifting competition, and Sekhon's exceptional drifting skills set him apart as the undisputed champion. Seasoned drifter Mudit Grover also stood on the podium in all three categories.

Sekhon displayed remarkable control as he expertly maneuvered his specially-prepped Lexus GS 300 sideways around the corners of the Buddh International Circuit, producing clouds of tire smoke.

His impressive performance earned him the title in the D1 category, amassing a remarkable 744 points. His closest competitor, Jugraj Singh Bhurjee, driving a BMW M3, secured a score of 476. Mudit Grover, with 286 points, finished third in his BMW E46.

Sekhon continued his domination by securing the D2 category with 460 points, with Mudit Grover (262 points) and Mugdha Grover, driving the Mercedes C200 K (156 points), completing the podium.

However, Sekhon's hopes of an undefeated run were dashed in the Open category, as Mudit outscored him with 700 points to Sekhon's 636, with Samyak Kapoor in a distant third with 281 points.

A panel of international judges, including Mr. Taniguchi Atsushi from Japan, Mr. Tanakorn Lertyaovarit from Thailand, and India's own drift expert, Mr. Alistair Woodham, awarded the points based on multiple parameters, such as line, angle, style, and speed.

The three categories - D1, D2, and Open - were distinguished by tire width, with cars in the D1 category equipped with tires between 215-255mm wide. In the D2 category, the maximum permitted tire width was 205mm, while competitors in the Open category were eligible regardless of their tire width.

Drifting is a motorsport discipline that values skill, precision, and car control over sheer speed. It involves drivers skillfully sliding their cars and using oversteer to navigate corners at high speeds, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle adored by fans, especially the younger generation.

This event was a significant milestone for motorsports in India, as the JK Tyre Drift Challenge was the first officially supported drifting competition in the country.

Organised by motorsport pioneers JK Tyre and backed by the Indian motorsports body FMSCI, it introduced Indian fans to yet another thrilling motorsport discipline. The event drew hundreds of spectators and garnered a considerable online viewership through live streaming.

Sanjay Sharma, Head of Motorsports at JK Tyre, expressed his delight: "We are overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response we've received for India's first-ever Drifting competition. Drifting has been gaining popularity all over the world, and it's great to see the turnout we had today.

"We had a field of 20 incredibly talented drivers, who served up a truly heart-stopping, tire-smoking spectacle. They put on quite a show, and we're confident that this discipline, in general, and the JK Tyre Drift Challenge in particular, will get bigger and better in the coming years."

In addition to the Drift Challenge, the Buddh International Circuit also hosted the JK Tyre Formula Imperial and Indian Karting Race events. These competitions, organised by the Imperial Society of Innovation Engineers (ISIEINDIA) and supported by JK Tyre, provided an opportunity for engineering students to design and develop sustainable mobility solutions.

Team Screwdrivers from the Dhole Patil College of Engineering in Maharashtra emerged as champions in the Formula Imperial category, with Team Accelerons from the National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, securing the runner-up spot.

In the Indian Karting Race, Team Luftwaffe Racing from the Rajarambapu Institute of Technology in Maharashtra were crowned champions in the EV class, while Team Niyudrath Karting from the MIT Academy of Engineering in Pune claimed the title in the CV class.