Alva wins on EasyKart debut in Italy

After finishing runner-up in the JK Tyre Karting Championship last year, Alva was competing in the Mini 60 category of EasyKart Championship with Italian kart maker Birel Art.

Despite being limited to just two days of practice, the Bangalore-based driver was immediately up to pace, taking an unlikely pole position in qualifying.

He was able to carry forward his performance in the pre-finals and finals as he claimed an impressive double win on his debut.

Alva beat Andrea Frassinetti by  2.360s in the finals, with Alessandro de Gaetano finishing a further three seconds adrift in third.

To add cherry to the pie, he also set the fastest lap time of the race - another indicator of the Indian's dominant showing.

“It s great to win my second race in Italy, the first ever in Easykart Championship. I'm really happy!,” he said.

Ruhaan’s father, Umakanth, a former Rally driver, said: “It was a tight squeeze as Ruhaan ​was also preparing for his annual exams which commenced a day after we returned from Italy.

“Overall, it was a fine outing for him and we are grateful to Birel ART India's team principal Marco Bartoli who travelled with us to guide Ruhaan through the weekend.”