Ishaan, Arshi Steal the Show in MECO-FMSCI National Karting Championship

Chennai, September 1: Bengaluru teenager Ishaan Madesh (Peregrine Racing) shrugged off a mixed weekend to clinch a commanding win in the Senior Max Finals, while eight-year-old Arshi Gupta (Leapfrog Racing) completed a brilliant double in the Micro Max class as the third round of the MECO-FMSCI National Karting Championship Rotax Max Classes — presented by SIDVIN Energy Engineering and partnered by MRF Tyres — concluded at the Madras International Karting Arena (MIKA) on Sunday.

Mumbai’s Kiaan Shah (Rayo Racing) ruled the Junior Max, taking both Pre-Finals and Finals, while Chennai’s Rivaan Dev Preetham (MSPORT) remained unbeaten in the Mini Max with victories across heats, Pre-Finals and Finals.

Ishaan Dominates Senior Max

In the Senior Max showdown, 16-year-old Ishaan seized the lead early after surviving a Lap-1 melee and never looked back, building his advantage lap after lap. Arafath Sheikh stormed from P10 to P2, while Bengaluru’s Rishon Rajeev(Birel Art India) completed the podium. Pole-sitter Aahil Mecklai (Rayo Racing), who had shown strong pace, dropped out early.

Junior Max Thriller

The Junior Max Finals delivered one of the closest finishes of the weekend, with less than a second covering the top three. Kiaan Shah edged out Rishik Rohit Reddy (MSPORT) and last year’s champion Arafath Sheikh, but a five-second penalty dropped Arafath to sixth, promoting Eshanth Vengatesan (MSPORT) into third.

Rivaan, Arshi Shine in Juniors

Chennai’s Rivaan Dev Preetham continued his sparkling form in Mini Max, topping every session and sealing a lights-to-flag win in the Finals ahead of Hamza Balasinorwala and Yatharth Gaur.

Meanwhile, Arshi Gupta, the only female driver in the Micro Max grid, was in superb touch. She dominated Heat-2, Pre-Finals and Finals, beating more fancied rivals to underline her rising talent.

Packed Field

The third round of the championship attracted 72 entries from across India, underlining the depth of karting talent and the growing competitiveness of the Rotax Max series.

Results:

• Senior Max – Finals (17 laps): 1. Ishaan Maadesh (Bengaluru, Peregrine Racing) 16:46.234; 2. Arafath Sheikh (Pune, Crest Motorsports) 17:15.317; 3. Rishon Rajeev (Bengaluru, Birel Art India) 17:23.514.
• Junior Max – Finals (16 laps): 1. Kiaan Shah (Mumbai, Rayo Racing) 13:48.574; 2. Rishik Rohit Reddy (Bengaluru, MSPORT) 13:49.829; 3. Eshanth Vengatesan (Chennai, MSPORT) 13:49.925.
• Mini Max – Finals (14 laps): 1. Rivaan Dev Preetham (Chennai, MSPORT) 12:18.497; 2. Hamza Balasinorwala (Mumbai, Crest Motorsports) 12:21.271; 3. Yatharth Gaur (Faridabad, Leapfrog Racing) 12:26.873.
• Micro Max – Finals (12 laps): 1. Arshi Gupta (Faridabad, Leapfrog Racing) 11:01.246; 2. Rudrapratap Singh Shekhawat (Gurugram, Leapfrog Racing) 11:04.488; 3. Jishnu Seralathan (Bengaluru, Peregrine Racing) 11:09.660.