How Did Achintya Mehrotra and Tarushi Vikram Perform at the Asia-Pacific Motorsport Championship?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Witness the thrilling performances of Achintya Mehrotra and Tarushi Vikram at the Asia-Pacific Motorsport Championship in Sri Lanka. Achintya clinched gold, while Tarushi made her international debut with a silver medal. Discover the highlights of this exciting event and the prospects for more medals in upcoming competitions!
Key Takeaways
- Achintya Mehrotra claimed a thrilling gold medal victory.
- Tarushi Vikram secured a silver medal in her international debut.
- Indian participants performed strongly across various motorsport categories.
- The event signifies a positive trend for Indian motorsport on the global stage.
- Support and nurturing of young talent is crucial for future success.
Bandaragama (Sri Lanka), Sep 27 (NationPress) - Achintya Mehrotra from New Delhi secured a gold medal, while Chikmagaluru’s Tarushi Vikram celebrated her international debut for India with a silver medal at the Asian Auto Gymkhana Championship, held alongside the FIA Asia-Pacific Motorsport Championship 2025, at the Bandaragama sports complex on Saturday.
The 35-year-old Mehrotra triumphed in a highly competitive field, overcoming a shootout necessitated by a technicality, and a two-second penalty for knocking over a cone. Ultimately, he edged out Kyrgyzstan’s Vedenev Alexey by a mere two-tenths of a second in a nail-biting finish.
“I had clocked a 1:10 on the circuit previously but managed to improve to 1:05 during the shootout. Despite knocking a cone and knowing I would incur a two-second penalty, I kept my focus on maintaining my pace and flow. This strategy ultimately helped me secure the victory over Vedenev by a slim margin. I’m absolutely elated to win this gold medal,” said Mehrotra, whose fellow competitor Prateek Dalal from Bahadurgarh (Haryana) finished in 13th place.
In the women’s category, 21-year-old Tarushi Vikram displayed remarkable poise despite initial challenges, clinching second place for her first international medal. “This is my inaugural international Gymkhana event. It took me a moment to adjust to the track conditions and the car, which is a stock automatic Hyundai i10. This silver medal means the world to me, and waving the Indian flag on the podium filled me with pride,” expressed Tarushi.
The APMC segment of the Gymkhana event is scheduled for Sunday, with both Mehrotra and Tarushi Vikram vying for more medals.
In the Karting Sprint event, Indian participants showcased strong performances across all three categories—Cadet, Junior, and Senior—leading into Sunday’s Pre-Finals and Finals. Mumbai’s Kiaan Shah excelled by winning Heat 1, while three Indian entrants in the Cadet class—12-year-old Rehan Khan Rasheed (Chennai), 8-year-old Arshi Gupta (Faridabad), and 12-year-old B Rayan Gouda (Bengaluru)—achieved top-10 finishes in all sessions.
In the Senior category, Aarav Dewan (Gurugram), Thomas Jacob George (Kottayam), and Akshat Misra (Bengaluru) delivered impressive performances, promising a strong finish on Sunday.
“It’s encouraging to see our youth performing well in the karting sprint with top-10 finishes. This bodes well for India’s medal tally tomorrow,” noted Prabha Shankar, Karting Team Manager.
In the Autocross segment, former National Rally champion Chetan Shivram (Bengaluru) emerged as the top Indian performer, finishing third overall to qualify for the round of 16, while compatriot Phillippos Matthai (New Delhi) came in fifth, and Pragathi Gowda (Bengaluru)’s qualification status is still pending.
In the realm of E-Sports, India’s sole representative in the Assetto Corsa category, Sahil Khanna from Gurugram, put forth a commendable effort but unfortunately did not advance to the final round.
Point of View
It is evident that Indian motorsport is on an upward trajectory. As our young athletes shine on international platforms, we must continue to support and nurture their talents to bolster India's presence in the global motorsport arena.
NationPress
27/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What medals did Achintya Mehrotra and Tarushi Vikram win?
Achintya Mehrotra won a gold medal, while Tarushi Vikram secured a silver medal at the Asian Auto Gymkhana Championship.
Where was the Asia-Pacific Motorsport Championship held?
The championship took place at the Bandaragama sports complex in Sri Lanka.
What challenges did Tarushi Vikram face during the event?
Tarushi Vikram faced challenges adjusting to the track conditions and the stock automatic Hyundai i10 but managed to secure a silver medal.
Who were the other notable Indian performers in karting?
In karting, Kiaan Shah, Aarav Dewan, Thomas Jacob George, and Akshat Misra delivered strong performances across various classes.
What is the significance of this event for Indian motorsport?
This event highlights the growing potential of Indian motorsport talent on the international stage, showcasing their skills and determination.
