Jeet wins Ameo Class National Championship

SRIPERUMBUDUR: Jeet Jhabakh became the only second driver in ten years of Volkswagen Motorsports’ One-Make series in India to convert his Junior title into Senior crown when he took the chequered flag ahead of his challengers to emerge Ameo Class National Champion at the MMRT on Sunday.

The 26-year-old Hyderabad racer whose family is into auto business had not entertained any hopes of winning the championship but took it gladly when the chance came at him.

“I did not have the best of starts to the season, and so decided to enjoy myself rather than worry about points. I am thrilled to win the title and my thanks to the entire Volkswagen team which is like a family to me, for the support I received from them,” said Jhabakh after sealing the title.

The final day of the 2019 season of MMSC Volkswagen Ameo Class National Championship was action packed as Jeet finished second in the first race of the day to collect 44 points while the top two championship leaders –Saurav Bandyopadhyay and Pratik Sonawane—ended lower down the grid placing the two of 370 and one on 372 points going into the final race of the season.

“I needed to finish ahead of them and when I saw the chequered flag waved at me I knew I had sealed the title,” said Jeet, who gets to drive in South Africa next season, as guest driver.

Jeet had started ninth from pole and climbed up in lap 5 securing his second position on the podium. South African guest driver Tasmin Peper, who started 11th on the grid, spoiled Pratik Sonawane’s chances as he struggled to make places after starting eighth.

The decider saw the top three drivers separated by mere two points and Tasmin in the pole position, Jeffery Kruger in the second and Pratik in third.

Tasmin and Jeffery maintained their positions till the chequered flag, while the Ameo Class contenders fought but Pratik and Saurav failed to defend their positions and Jeet took advantage from their tussle. Third position meant that Jeet got enough points to win the title.

“Overall we had a clean race weekend. It was tough fight between the drivers and was fun to watch the drivers fighting hard for the first National Championship title. With all the drama we had I don’t think a single person was sitting idle for any of the races this weekend,” said Sirish Vissa, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport India.