Chennai's Sandeep Kumar Clinches Volkswagen Polo Championship Trophy

Volkswagen Motorsport India concluded the final round of the 12^th edition of its One-Make series – the Volkswagen Polo Championship at the Madras Motor Racetrack in Chennai. Anmol Singh Sahil was the best driver of the day, as he grabbed victories in two out of the three races of round four. The day belonged to Anmol, but the championship trophy belonged to Sandeep Kumar, who drove consistently throughout the racing season and was the deserved winner of the championship with 359 points.

The day belonged to Anmol, but the championship trophy belonged to Sandeep Kumar, who drove consistently throughout the racing season and was the deserved winner of the championship with 359 points.

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With a perfect qualifying lap, Anmol Singh Sahil grabbed the pole position ahead of Oshan Kothadiya and Sai Sanjay. After the qualifying session, all attention turned to the first race of round four. With a perfect launch, Anmol started the race right out of the blocks and raced ahead of his competition, maintaining his lead from start to finish. Oshan Kothadiya, who started the race in the second position, finished the race behind Anmol. With another consistent performance, Sandeep managed to place on the podium, after a brilliant overtaking maneuver on Sai Sanjay, to take the third overall.

The grid was reversed for the second race of round four of the Volkswagen Polo Championship. Bangladesh's Hossain Ishayet started the race from the pole position ahead of Pune's Shreyas Dhimate and Bangladesh's Avik Anwar. Championship leader, Sandeep Kumar started the race from the 10th spot. The second race of round four was off to a flier with Avik Anwar managing to overtake both the drivers ahead of him, before taking a commanding lead of the race. A safety car was introduced during the second race as Shreyas collided into Aditya, who in turn collided with Ritesh, resulting in early retirement for the latter two. The race continued after two laps behind the safety car and Avik, determined to hold onto his lead, kept his cool and took home the victory ahead of Sourav and Pratik, who finished second and third respectively. With another consistent outing, Sandeep Kumar climbed six places, to finish the race in the fourth position.

The 2021 National Car racing champions (L-R): Sandeep Kumar, Fahad Kutty, Arjun Balu, Shahan Ali Mohsin, Tijil Rao, Hatim Shabbir Jamnagarwala & Deepak Ravikumar along with FMSCI president Akbar Ebrahim (extreme left) and MMSC Vice-president Vicky Chandhok (extreme right).

With the Championship trophy on the line, all eyes were on Sandeep Kumar, Sourav Bandopadhyay, and Anmol Singh Sahil, who were vying for the coveted trophy during the final race of the championship. Anmol once again started the race from the Pole position, ahead of Sai Sanjay, Oshan, Sourav, Pratik, and Sandeep, who occupied the next five positions on the grid. Anmol got off to a flying start and maintained his lead all the way to the chequered flag, ensuring a double victory for himself in the final round of the championship. With a close fight throughout the race, Oshan overtook Sai Sanjay on the last lap and ensured himself a second-place finish with Sai Sanjay occupying the final podium spot.

Sirish Vissa, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport India said, “We witnessed some of the best racing from all the drivers during the final round of the MRF MMSC FMSCI National Racing Championship, especially by Anmol, who managed to win two out three races. Showcasing some brilliant and mature driving by being consistent throughout the championship, I would like to congratulate Sandeep Kumar on winning the 12^th edition of the Volkswagen one-make championship.”

The 2021 National Car racing champions (L to R): Sandeep Kumar, Fahad Kutty, Arjun Balu, Shahan Ali Mohsin, Tijil Rao, Hatim Shabbir Jamnagarwala & Deepak Ravikumar along with #FMSCI president Akbar Ebrahim (extreme left) and #MMSC Vice-president Vicky Chandhok (extreme right) pic.twitter.com/lToqtWU4bx

— FMSCI (@fmsci) February 13, 2022

Anmol Singh Sahil was the biggest gainer in round four of the Championship, but it was the home favourite, Sandeep Kumar, who, with his consistent driving throughout the season, took home the coveted Volkswagen Polo Championship Trophy. With high drama, brilliant driving, and phenomenal wheel-to-wheel action by all drivers, Volkswagen Motorsport India concluded the 12^th edition of the Volkswagen Championship.

MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship Final Standings:

1. Sandeep Kumar Chennai 359 points

2. Sourav Bandopadhyay Thane 339 points

3. Anmol Singh Sahil Ghaziabad 313 points