In Bandaragama, Sri Lanka, the Indian team kicked off their preparations for the FIA Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship 2025 amid pouring monsoon rains on Friday. The sprawling sports complex turned into a slick challenge as intermittent downpours delayed practice sessions, but the drivers stayed focused on getting used to the unfamiliar track.
Organizers from the Ceylon Motor Sports Club pushed through the wet weather to help everyone settle in. Friday focused on paperwork, driver briefings, and initial runs, while the real action in Karting Sprint, Endurance, and Slalom, plus E-Sport, Autocross, and the Asian Auto Gymkhana Championship series, ramps up Saturday and wraps up Sunday.
The Indian squad rolled into the Asia Pacific Motorsport Complex venue under heavy rain, but it didn’t slow their enthusiasm. Eight-year-old Arshi Gupta from Delhi, competing in the Karting Sprint Cadet class, called it a blast. “It was fun to drive in the rain today,” she said with a grin. “I’ve handled wet tracks before, but this was a lot of rain. I did okay, and my goal is to win my category.”
Fourteen-year-old Kiaan Shah from Mumbai, racing in the Junior Karting Sprint, highlighted the track’s demands. “It’s fun but tricky,” he noted. “You have to be super precise, especially mid-corner and on the exit when you’re close to the wall. There’s not much room for mistakes or overtaking, so starting in the top three during qualifying is key. I’m optimistic about a strong showing.”
Karting Sprint looks set to be the hottest event, drawing over 40 drivers from seven countries across Cadet, Junior, and Senior classes. Karting Endurance follows close behind with 28 competitors from nine nations.
Over at the Autocross area, Indian drivers Philippos Mathai, Chetan Shivram, Arushi Vikram, and Pragathi Gowda scouted the 550-meter track—a mix of dirt and tarmac—during a walkaround. Their FIA-spec Crosscars, powered by 600cc Kawasaki engines delivering 140 horsepower, didn’t arrive until late afternoon, so practice got pushed back.
Shivram, a former National Rally champion from Bengaluru, shared his take after the inspection. “The terrain is diverse and super slushy from the rains, so handling will be everything,” he said. “These rear-wheel-drive cars take time to master. I’d prefer a longer circuit to really open up the throttle, but we’ll adapt to what’s here.”
Practice for Karting Slalom and Endurance started later than planned, with puddles dotting the circuit. Forecasters predict more rain over the weekend, promising tough conditions for drivers in this Asia Pacific motorsport showdown.
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