Practising daredevil wrestling moves on a trampoline, Arjun and Kush Maini know they can afford to cut loose for just a bit. After a hectic 2011 in which they competed in 20 gokarting events over 20 weekends, 14 outside India, the two Bangalorebased racers, 14 and 11, know that fun will take a backseat this year as they pursue a passion that has made them potential aces.
In their plush home on Rest House Road, dad Gautam Maini reflects on how his kids got drawn into racing. “I got Arjun his first electric cart when he was a year old, so he practically started walking and driving at the same time,” Gautam said. Arjun soon got his own electric all-terrain vehicle and when Kush was born, he too would sit behind him. “I was a racer back then and the kids would travel with me to Sriperumbudur and watch me in action. I started very late. The atmospherre created the base, although we didn’t know whether the talent was there,” said Gautam.
Gautam went on: “My first race was a Formula Maruti event in 1992 at Sriperumbudur, with another debutant in Narain Karthikeyan. I raced up to 2006 in the Formula Rolon. I gave up racing that year because I wanted to spend time with my kids. Arjun, who was eight, was about to start racing so the bigger focus for me was to play a part in training him. Karting is a different ball game but my racing background helped. We worked closely with Akbar Ebrahim in training sessions and relied on outside information to help the boys become more professional. We also worked with Red Rooster Racing and Leelakrishnan for two years to help develop Arjun’s skills,” he said.
“I remember my dad taught me a lot of basic things,” said Arjun. Kush was just following in his brother’s footsteps and went through the same routine. He said, “Watching my father and brother, I felt racing was fun and I wanted to do it. My first race was at seven and my father had to take special permission from the authorities for me to participate as I was too young.”
In 2008, the family had a big realization that they cannot progress by racing only in India. “I had taken Arjun to race in Malaysia and he won two races that year, the first by an Indian in the Micro Max category,” said Gautam. “That really got us excited because the competition in the Asian region is higher. The tracks are much more challenging and there is more variety. That exposure started working well for both Arjun and Kush. Their race craft and race skills had improved.”
Arjun’s most famous achievement came in October last year when he was chosen as the winner of the Sahara Force India One from a Billion Hunt, a regional search for the best karters that ended at Silverstone. “You should never think you are the best. If you do, then you can never make it,” said Arjun.
On the road for several weekends in a year is tough. “It’s hard because you miss school, have low attendance and the pressure to catch up. Apart from this, you have to go race, work out and get fit too,” said Gautam. “This is all part of becoming a Formula driver so I need to work hard and be dedicated,” he said. Kush added: “My teachers and friends are very supportive . Sometimes, when I return to school I have missed out on a lot of work so they teach me things again.”
He is the male-equivalent of a soccer mom, a motor sports-dad so to speak, and Gautam said he enjoys their every victory. “There’s never a dull moment. Going forward I may not be able to do this as things get more professional. It’s always worth it and it will be in future,” he said.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Bangalore / TNN / February 27th, 2012