Sikkim’s Chewang Lama races in as a motorsport prospect

GANGTOK, 08 Jan [HMN]: Sikkim’s Chewang Lama has been selected by Buddh International Circuit [BIC] to undergo training in car racing in New Delhi. If the training goes well, Chewang could be selected for this year’s Polo-R Cup tournament. He is already in touch with  the organizers, Volkswagen Motorsport,  for the tourney and the response is “overwhelming”, says Chewang, son of Udai Lama and Rahna Rai of Gangtok and an alumnus of Tashi Namgyal Academy.
What impressed BIC officials and trainers was the manner in which Chewang performed during his training session. Doing a lap timing of 2.44 flat at BIC is something unusual for someone who has no formal training. He drove like a “pro” and this stunned BIC officials.
Chewang is currently under training at BIC Delhi, the only Formula1 track in India, under the guidance of Anmol Rampal, a pro-racer and test driver for Honda, Mahindra etc to foreign companies s like Mercedes, BMW etc.
The Buddh International Circuit is an Indian motor racing circuit in Greater Noida near Delhi.
The circuit is best known as the venue for the annual Formula One Indian Grand Prix, which was first hosted on 30 October, 2011.
Selection for Polo R Cup 2015 is likely to take place in February-March this year and going by his current performance Chewang’s chances are high. “This guy can do wonders,” is what his coach had to say when asked for a feedback.
The organizers saw at least 20,000 spectators turn up for the event last year and are hoping to increase that number this year. The champion of the season this year also gets to participate in international motorsport at the Volkswagen Scirocco-R Cup in Germany.
One of the main objectives of Volkswagen Polo R Cup competition is to groom a grid full of Indian drivers, select the best of them, and chart out a clear career path for him or her internationally.
“Car racing has been a passion, a dream since childhood,” says Chewang.
His turning point was when he did the Chennai's kart track in 20.50 sec without any prior experience. It was his first race in a proper track. The record of the track, set by a professional race car driver, stands at 19 sec.
Chewang also recently attended Raymond Banerjee's race session in Pune, where he impressed the officials as well as the owner.
[Hill Media Network]