Santosh Begins 2011 In style,Sealing National Dirt Racing Title At Favourite Coimbatore Leg

Chennai: CS Santosh has begun the new year with a bang.The Team TVS rider from Bangalore,who is the reigning National Supercross champion,left his rivals literally in the dirt as he began 2011 by lifting the 250cc Open Class title at the Rolon-FMSCI National Dirt Racing Championship in Coimbatore on Sunday.

However,unlike last years Supercross championship,Santosh had stiff competition from his teammate HK Pradeep in the Dirt series with just a few points separating them in the standings going into the final round on Sunday.The previous three rounds of the championship were held in Chandigarh,Kolhapur and Hyderabad in January and both the TVS riders had everything to fight for in the final at the custommade track near CODISSIA Complex in Coimbatore.

With the crown up for grabs,Santosh had a clear game-plan and went full throttle right from the start in both the races,maintaining a healthy lead till the chequered flag,hardly troubled by the challengers or by the newly-laid surface which was very tricky because of loose sand and pebbles.

The whole stage was newly laid.So it had pebbles which were getting stuck between the studs of our tyres.It was very challenging but it was fun and its a great feeling to win at one of my favourite legs, said Santhosh,who has won four of the five races he has taken part in Coimbatore.The city has always been a happy hunting ground for me and the fans here know the sport and their support drives me on, he added.

The National Supercross champ is very excited about the coming year after the successful start.To win the first series I entered this year gives you a lot of confidence, said the 27-year-old.

And this year,Santosh needs all the confidence and support he can get as he is planning to compete full time in the Asian Supercross circuit.Yes,that is the plan basically.I would love to race the entire season.The first race is in March.And I believe I can be a real contender there.And this year I have asked help from FMSCI (National Motorsport Federation) and they have promised me full support.So I am confident about the year ahead, he added.Final Points Standings: Group A (Upto 250cc Open Class): CS Santhosh (132 pts); 2.HK.Pradeep (120); 3.KP Aravind (73).