A 13-year-old racing prodigy from Bengaluru, Copparam Shreyas Hareesh, died after a fatal crash during MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship at the Madras International Circuit in Chennai on Saturday.
Hareesh, who was competing in the rookie category of the Petronas TVS One-Make Championship this season, had secured a pole position in the race. Soon after the race started, while negotiating a turn on the first lap, Hareesh’s bike skidded and he fell from his bike. In the accident, Hareesh’s helmet fell off his head and he crashed with the rider, who was behind him, causing a grievous head injury.
The organisers immediately stopped the race after the crash and rushed Hareesh to a nearby hospital. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Later, the Madras Motor Sports Club, the promoter of the championship, decided to cancel the remaining races.
Commenting on the incident, MMSC president Ajit Thomas said: “It is tragic to have lost a rider so young and talented. Shreyas, who was making waves with his prodigious racing talent, was provided medical assistance on the spot immediately after the incident and taken to the hospital.”
Incidentally, this is the second fatality in Indian motorsport this year. In January, KE Kumar, 59, a noted and respected racer, died in hospital following a crash in the second round of the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship 2022 at the Madras International Circuit.
About Shreyas Hareesh
Hareesh celebrated his 13th birthday just last month.
He was a Class VIII student of the Kensri School in Bengaluru.
Shreyas won the MiniGP India title in May this year.
In MiniGP races in Spain, he finished fifth and fourth positions respectively.
Hareesh had won several races at the National level, including four in a row while competing in the Petronas TVS One-Make Championship Rookie category.
He was scheduled to compete in the MSBK Championship 2023 at Sepang Circuit, Malaysia, in August, representing team CRA Motorsports in the 250cc category (Group B).
