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GREAT MOVES From racing a bicycle during school to being a classic rider, K.P. Aravind (No. 59) has come a long way

Even though it was not a sleek, racing bicycle, Aravind used to pedal furiously and whip up a decent speed. At home telly was continuously airing showing bike races or the motocross events. As a teenager, Aravind had only one goal — to become a motorbike racer. His doting parents tried to wean him away from bike racing thinking it was fraught with danger. But Aravind was not having any of it.

He was presented a motorcycle at the age of 17 and from then on it’s been bike racing all the way.

His first attempt in the competitive world of motor-bike racing was not a very good one. He was pitched into a race in Mangalore and finished down the field. “I ended up somewhere on the grid and cannot remember where,” he recalls his debut.

But there were some positives got from this. He got to make friends with some good riders and Sudeep Kotegar helped the rookie by suggesting improvements in Aravind’s riding skills and also teaching him the basics.

By the time the next event was held in Mangalore, in 2004, Aravind was raring to go. The Raymond’s Classic Race was held at Mangalore and Aravind bagged the title of the “Classic Rider”.

Aravind bagged the first place in all five sections of the race and after this it was no more “chumma” riding. Aravind entered for the Gulf Dirt Track National Championship held at Mangalore and placed first in four classes. He won the Novice 150 cc (Group D), Novice up to 125 cc four stroke in Group D, the local event for 2/4 stroke bikes, and with this impressive performance, was signed up by TVS Racing’s talent scout M.S. Ravindra.

Aravind now is part of a big racing team. He rides on the practice facility in TVS’ plant in Hosur with the likes of C.S. Santosh, Joshua Pramod, H.K. Pradeep and Deepak John. Aravind has taken a break from his studies to concentrate on his racing. “Studies are off for the next two to three years, though I may do some courses later on.” Like all bike riders, Aravind nurses hopes of participating in the international events. “I would love to ride at the Asian Rounds. The MRF Super Cross is a stepping stone for the Asian rounds and if I do well at the Super Cross, I should be able to go up the scale.” Last year Aravind bagged a number of titles including National Champion in Group A.

In the MRF Super Cross in 2007, Aravind won the titles in Group D (Overall champion), 150 cc 2 and 4 stroke bikes. He also won the title in the novices section and won races in 160cc Group D Experts Class and the Up to 260 cc Group B section (Modified class).

Aravind is keen on other sports as well. He goes swimming, cycling and loves to listen to music on Channel V. He is well supported by his brother who has done his MBA and his father, who is an accountant in SMSP College in Mangalore. His mother who works in Syndicate Bank, Manipal too has helped him realise his ambition.

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