Reddy sweeps Formula Ford 1600, Ellinas takes MRF Challenge title

Tarun Reddy swept the two races in the opening round of the Formula Ford 1600 (FF1600) championship while England's Rupert Svendsen-Cook clinched the MRF Challenge title in the one-make Formula 2000 title at the Irungattukotai circuit near Chennai. However, the result of the championship is under dispute following a driver protest.

Following a protest by Cyprus's Tio Ellinas, Svendsen-Cook was handed a 30 second post-race penalty that dropped the Englishman from second to 12th at the end of the 15 lap race.

It was adjudged that Svendsen-Cook was in breach of Article 20.1 of the sporting regulations of the championship; 'forcing another driver off the circuit'.

Ellinas's title win is now subject to Svendsen-Cook appealing the decision of the stewards at the circuit.

FORMULA FORD 1600

Reddy managed to beat Advait Deodhar and then Vikash Anand, in the first and second FF1600 races respectively, in come from behind victories.

His win over Deodhar on Saturday came after the dropped to the back of the grid following a clutch problem.

MRF CHALLENGE (F2000)

Two of India's established motor racing stars Narain Karthikeyan and Gaurav Gill were present as guest drivers to provide entertainment and even mix it up with the regular drivers. Karthikeyan took part in three of the weekend's five races, finishing 3rd in the opening race on Saturday and winning the opening race on Sunday.

Team MRF Skoda's newly crowned FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship champion Gaurav Gill filled the void to an extent in the final MRF Challenge race after Karthikeyan got caught in a melee (he started sixth on a reverse grid) and slid down the order.

Gill fought and charged his way to fifth place as Sam De Jonge won the race while JA Motorsport's - the firm charged with building and maintaining the F2000 cars in association with Italy's Dallara - test driver and Formula Ford 1600 driver consultant Svendsen-Cook took second to provisionally wrap the title.

However, following a protest Ellinas was handed the title and the winner's prize of Rs. 25 lakh.

The Englishman was adjudged to have rejoined the circuit after an off-track excursion and rejoined in a dangerous manner ahead of Ellinas.

That lead to Svendsen-Cook and Ellinas going wheel to wheel, following which it was ruled that the Cypriot was forced off the circuit by the Englishman.