Tharani to make his international racing debut
The 2015 National Racing Champion, Karthik Tharani will make his international racing debut, when he competes in the Volkswagen Polo GTI Cup in China, this weekend.
Karthik Tharani
Volkswagen Motorsport
The Chennai-based driver, after his recent MRF title triumph, has been eyeing an international move in touring cars for some time, and now gets an opportunity to kick start a career outside India.
Having won the 2014 Volkswagen Polo R Cup, the Indian will drive the Polo GTI car at the Shanghai International circuit.
A support race to FIA World Touring Car Championship and China Touring Car Championship, Tharani aims to utilise the international exposure in the final round of the 2015 VW Polo GTI championship.
"Its an exciting week for me as this is my first international race," said an elated Tharani to Motorsport.com.
"I'll be driving a Volkswagen Polo GTI Cup car. It is not as powerful as the Indian Polo car, but it does have a sequential gearbox which I love.
"I'm looking forward to a good weekend. It is my first time at the Shanghai International circuit," he added.
Being a rookie in the championship, the first thing for any driver is to adapt to the car and the circuit, it is same with Tharani. "I have to get used to the track and the car is quite different to the Polo Cup car in India with the way it handles," he said.
"I'm going to have to adapt to it quickly. Having said that, I will be pushing for a win like usual," the optimistic Indian concluded.
Currently, Tharani also competes in the single-seaters JK Tyre Racing series in India.
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