Kiaan Shah was the highest-placed Indian competitor, finishing 13th in the junior category at the FIA Karting Arrive & Drive World Cup held over the weekend in Selangor, Malaysia.
With four Indians in the fray among 60 drivers, Kiaan had to contend with a field full of national champions and deal with other vehicles barging into him, as well as some technical issues with his vehicle. But in an impressive display, he made quite a few overtaking manoeuvres.
The eventual podium featured the United States’ Troy Ferguson in top spot after Japan’s Simba Motoda – who passed the chequered flag first – was handed a five-second penalty. Tommy Hart finished second ahead of Tomasz Cichoracki.
Kiaan was in good racing rhythm, coming off back-to-back wins in Round 5 and 6 of the Meco FMSCI National Rotax Karting Championship in Bengaluru last week, thereby finishing second overall in the junior category.
Victory in Round 5 came despite Kiaan – with Rayo Racing – finishing fifth in qualifying, but he dominated the next race almost from start to finish.
The 14-year-old from Mumbai has made his presence felt and won Round 3 of the FMSCI National Karting Championship in Chennai in August. He also finished fourth in the Rotax Asia Trophy Round 3 in Thailand.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
