Tharani to compete in 2018 JK Tyre Racing Championship
Former MRF F1600 champion Karthik Tharani will return to competitive motorsport for the first time since 2016 in the JK Tyre National Racing Championship.
Karthik Tharani
Nikolaz Godet
Tharani will race in the series’ flagship Euro JK category, which features carbon fibre-made Formula BMW cars that churn out 160 bhp.
The Chennai native’s last professional outing came in the 2017 MRF F1600 season opener in Chennai, where he was racing as a guest driver.
Although he was sidelined from racing for much of last year, he continued to serve as a test driver for Volkswagen after playing an instrumental role in the development of the Ameo race car.
“It’s great to be back in a single-seater championship and that to in the FB02 class in the JK Tyre National Racing Championship,” Tharani told Motorsport.com.
“It’s been a tough off-season to find sponsorship and I’m glad that JK tyre stepped in to offer the seat and Star Health Insurance as my personal sponsor. Can’t thank them enough and hope we have a stellar season together.
“The expectation for the season is to certainly have a good run for the title but most importantly just enjoy and be grateful to be in a car and compete.
“I have been testing and driving cars for Volkswagen Motorsport, but it’s been a little bit of time since competing in a race. But I’m much more relaxed and wiser as a driver but still hungry to win.
“I’m excited to see how this championship is going to turn out to be! I want to thank the entire team at JK Tyre Motorsport for the opportunity and the team at Star Health Insurance for their support.”
Tharani has prior experience of racing in the JK Tyre Racing Championship, having racked up several podium finishes against an established field of drivers in 2015 and '16.
The new season of the JK Tyre championship will get underway at the Kari Motor Speedway next weekend. The Coimbatore track will also host rounds 2 and 3 in September and October respectively, before the series travels to the Buddh International Circuit in November for the season finale.
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