CHENNAI: MotoGP has always been a frontier too far for 10-time national champion K Rajini Krishnan, but it now appears that even the Malaysian Super Series is out of reach.
The Chennai racer had earlier spoken of his hopes of racing in the Malaysian series, which serves as a support race for the MotoGP series, and had told TNIE earlier that he had secured up to 50 per cent of the funding. But with just weeks left for the race, Rajini’s efforts seem to have gone wasted as he is still Rs 4 lakh short.
“I still need to make another Rs 4 lakh if I am racing in Malaysia, but it looks unlikely. Most of the sponsors I approach turn me down saying that the series will not be telecast in India,” the veteran racer told TNIE on the sidelines of the MMSC- FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship in Irungattukottai.
As of now, the Qatar Super Series at the Losail Circuit late this year will be his next international stop. “Motorcycle riders in the country will continue to have a hard time unless the sport becomes a more attractive option to advertisers. It needs to be televised and bigger brands need to come in. It would be a huge boost for us if the automobile manufacturers, who currently restrict themselves to running one-make races, come up with manufacturer teams,” he said.
In another blow for local riders, Rajini confirmed that the Indian Motorcycle League, an IPL-style initiative launched earlier in the year, has run out of fuel. “It seems they have failed to secure the necessary sponsorship to continue the series. If done right, it had the potential to open up a lot of opportunities for racers,” he said.