by NR INDRAN / INT
Jehan Daruvala from Rayo Racing, put in a reserved performance to 
ensure that he managed to clinch a Championship title in his first year as a Junior driver. A third place in the Yamaha Category of the All Stars Karting series, Malaysia was enough for the Mumbai youngster to clinch the title ahead of Malaysian Driver Mohd. Syazwan Noor. The 2010 JK Tyre FMSCI Micro Max National Champion from Rayo Racing was probably the youngest driver on the grid and made the jump from cadets to Junior one year earlier than normal.
The weekend started with Jehan being the customary fastest driver through practice on Saturday. However Sunday started on a disastrous note, thanks to a brake failure in warmp up. Crucial to Jehan it lost him the chance to properly setup his kart for qualifying. Jehan qualified 5th, but soon climbed to 3rd in Race 1 before an engine problem halted his progress. The problem worsened & he eventually finishing 4th.
In race 2, Jehan started 5th again, but made a brilliant start & was soon leading the race. He managed to hold off the other drivers before his engine problems re-surfaced & he once again slowly dropped down the order to 4th. Jehan refused to give up & some smart driving on his part saw him eventually finish in 3rd.
The 3rd position was more than enough to give Jehan the crucial points, to win the Junior Yamaha category with a comfortable margin. Mohamad Syazwan Noor of Malaysia won, but could only manage 2nd in the Championship. Suhaizairul came 3rd. Once again Jehan kept up an amazing record of finishing every race of the championship on the podium.
Besides the title, Jehan also wins the opportunity to represent the South East Asian Region in the last Round of the Yamaha SL Cup in Japan. Said Jehan after winning the title 㔨e year has been tough for me as it is my first year in the Junior Category. I am very happy to have won this title. We were consistently quick at all the venues & that is what paid off.伯span>
Overall standings Junior Yamaha 1. Jehan Daruvala, INDIA (Rayo Racing) 2. Mohd. Syazwan Noor, Malaysia (Team Plus), 3. Suhai Zairul, Malaysia (Team Plus)
You can contact author @ nr_indran@rediffmail.com
