In a heart-wrenching incident, 13-year-old racing sensation Shreyas Hariharan from Bengaluru lost his life during the third round of the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship at the Madras International Circuit in Chennai on Saturday. The talented youngster had been making waves in the motorsport world, displaying exceptional skills at such a young age.Born on July 26, 2010, Shreyas was hailed as a rising star.
Throughout this season, he participated in the rookie category of the Petronas TVS One-Make Championship, winning numerous races at the national level. Unfortunately, tragedy struck during the racing event in Chennai, just after the race had commenced. Shreyas had qualified for the pole position earlier in the day. As he was coming out of Turn 1, his bike crashed, causing him to fall and sustain serious injuries to his head. The race was immediately red-flagged, and Shreyas was swiftly attended to by the on-site medical team before being rushed to a nearby hospital.
Despite all efforts, he was pronounced dead on arrival. The news of Shreyas’ untimely demise sent shockwaves through the motorsport community. The Madras Motor Sports Club, the promoter of the event, decided to cancel the remaining races scheduled for Saturday and Sunday as a mark of respect and mourning. Shreyas’ father, Kopparam Harish, who had been present at the event, was devastated by the tragic turn of events. His young son’s potential and passion for racing had filled him with pride and hope for the future.
AMSC chairman, Ajit Thomas, expressed his deep condolences, stating that losing such a talented and promising rider is truly disheartening. Shreyas was known for his exceptional racing talent, and his presence would be sorely missed in the racing community. Earlier this year, Shreyas had won the title in the MiniGP India category and participated in the MiniGP races in Spain, securing commendable fifth and fourth-place finishes. He was slated to compete in the 250cc category (Group B) of the MSBK Championship 2023 at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia in August, representing the C.R.A. Motorsports team.
This unfortunate incident marks the second tragic death in Indian motorsport this year. In January, the racing fraternity mourned the loss of 59-year-old K.E. Kumar, a renowned and respected racer, who lost his life during the second round of the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship 2022 at the Madras International Circuit. The motorsport community and fans alike are left in shock and grief over Shreyas’ sudden departure. His talent and enthusiasm for racing had captured the hearts of many, and his memory will forever be cherished in the annals of Indian motorsport history.