Mini Stars Shine Bright as India's Future Racing Talent Takes Centre Stage

The future of Indian motorsport was on full display at the second round of the RA Motorsports-promoted IAME National Series India held at the CoASTT Kartomania Circuit on Sunday, where the country's youngest karting talents delivered outstanding performances across the Mini Under-10 and Mini categories.

Leading the charge was Aaruthran Prabhu (Kartkrew Motorsports), who produced a dominant display in the Mini Under-10 category by winning both the Super Heat and Finals. His pace, racecraft, and maturity beyond his years underlined the immense potential emerging from India's grassroots karting programme.

The Mini category also provided thrilling competition. Shiv Neel Narain (NKRA Motorsports), son of India's first Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan, inherited victory in the Finals following the post-race disqualification of race winner Ridhaan Anil Kumarr for a technical infringement. Shiv's composed drive throughout the weekend highlighted the depth of young talent currently competing in Indian karting.

The combined Mini and Mini Under-10 grids delivered some of the most exciting racing of the weekend. Aaruthran Prabhu topped the overall field in the Super Heat after an intense wheel-to-wheel battle with Bengaluru's Ridhaan Kumarr, while England-based Indian racer Rudra Gokulnath (NKRA with KKM) secured an impressive third overall.

In the Finals, Aaruthran looked set to challenge for the overall lead before becoming involved in a multi-kart battle among the front runners. Despite the incident, he comfortably secured victory in the Mini Under-10 class, further strengthening his position as one of the brightest prospects in Indian karting.

The Mini podium ultimately featured Shiv Neel Narain, Eeshan Swaroop and Rudra Gokulnath, three youngsters who demonstrated exceptional speed and racecraft throughout the weekend. Their performances, alongside those of Aaruthran Prabhu, Abdur Rehman and Ayansh Patil in the Under-10 category, provided compelling evidence that India's karting pipeline is producing a new generation of highly skilled racers capable of competing on the international stage in the years ahead.

Among the older categories, Laksh Bafna (LB Racing) recovered brilliantly from retirement in the Super Heat to claim a commanding victory in the Senior Finals, while Rehan Khan Rasheed (Momentum Motorsports) continued his impressive form in the Junior category by dominating both the Super Heat and Finals from pole position.

Rehan once again showcased his exceptional pace and consistency, leading every lap of both races to record convincing victories ahead of team-mate Aditya Prathap and Pune's Abhishikt Barse.

The five-round IAME Series India continues to serve as a crucial platform for developing young racing talent. The top two finishers in each category at the conclusion of the championship will earn the opportunity to represent India at the prestigious IAME Asia Finals at the historic Macau International Circuit later this year.

With strong grids, close racing and an impressive crop of young competitors emerging across all categories, the future of Indian karting looks brighter than ever.

PROVISIONAL RESULTS:

Seniors – Finals (18 laps): 1. Laksh Bafna (Kerala, LB Racing) (13mins, 35.740secs); 2. Tanmay Kothari (Bengaluru, Red Rabbit Racers) (13:43.070); 3. Mikkel Leib Rajan (Coimbatore, Momentum Motorsports) (13:49.059).

Juniors – Finals (16 laps): 1. Rehan Khan Rasheed (Chennai, Momentum Motorsports) (12:25.748); 2. Aditya Prathap (Chennai, Momentum Motorsports) (12:28.842); 3. Abhishikt Barse (Pune, Crest Motorsports) (12:31.390).

Mini – Finals (14 laps): 1. Shiv Neel Narain (Coimbatore, NKRA with KKM) (11:30.666); 2. Eeshan Swaroop (Bengaluru, Kartkrew Motorsports) (11:31.326); 3. Rudra Gokulnath (UK, NKRA with Momentum) (11:34.340).

Mini Under-10 (Finals): 1. Aaruthran Prabhu (Kumaraburam, Katkrew Motorsports) (11:45.865); 2. Abdur Rehman (Chennai, Momentum Motorsports) (12:10.884); 3. Parth Singh (New Delhi, NKRA with KKM) (12:20.351).