Kumar makes debut in European competition

Just two rounds into the 2011 season Sarath Kumar’s learning curve in his debut campaign in the 125cc World Championship has been a steep one already, with the young Indian rider – 165cc champion in his native India – learning completely new circuits as he gets to grips with his new challenge.

Kumar’s WTR-Ten10 Racing team took the opportunity to further their rider’s development between the Jerez and Estoril World Championship races with entry into the first race of the 2011 CEV Buckler (Spanish National Championship) at Jerez last weekend, where Kumar and team-mate Francesco Mauriello were able to ride without pressure and on a track they were already familiar with.

Throughout the practice sessions Kumar progressed rapidly, improving on his best lap registered during the GP at the start of the month (1’55.3) to 1’53.8, which secured him 23rd spot on the grid.

“I’m very satisfied to have completed my first race in Europe, which is really my first big race. I finished 26th but the experience has been very positive and I hope it’ll help me in the upcoming rounds of the World Championship,” said Kumar. “This was my first race with a two-stroke bike, I improved on my best lap time at Jerez by 1.5 seconds, and that fills me with confidence ahead of Estoril where I hope to finally qualify for the race.”