• Source:JND
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A young motorsport prodigy, 13-year-old Copparam Shreyas Hareesh, tragically succumbed to injuries sustained in a crash during the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship at the Madras International Circuit.

Shreyas, a student at Kensri School in Bengaluru, was a rising star in the racing world, impressing many with his remarkable skills. He had secured numerous victories at the national level, including four consecutive wins in the rookie category of the Petronas TVS One-Make Championship this season.

The incident occurred during the rookie race, where Shreyas had qualified for pole position earlier in the day. Unfortunately, shortly after the race's start, he suffered a devastating crash at Turn-1, resulting in a severe head injury. The race was immediately red-flagged, and he was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital via a trauma care ambulance stationed at the track.

Despite the best efforts of medical personnel, Shreyas could not recover from his injuries and passed away, leaving the racing community in shock and grief. The Madras Motor Sports Club, the event's promoter, made the difficult decision to cancel the remaining races scheduled for Saturday and Sunday out of respect for Shreyas.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. His father, Copparam Hareesh was at his bedside.

"It is tragic to have lost a rider so young and talented. Shreyas, who was making waves with his prodigious racing talent, was provided medical assistance on the spot immediately after the incident and taken to the hospital," MMSC president Ajit Thomas said.

"Under the circumstances, we have decided to cancel rest of this weekend's programme. The MMSC offers heart-felt condolences and our thoughts are with his family."

Shreyas' talents were not limited to the national circuit alone. In May, he had also participated in the MiniGP races in Spain, earning respectable fifth and fourth positions in both races. His future looked promising, with plans to compete in the MSBK Championship 2023 at the Sepang Circuit, Malaysia, representing team CRA Motorsports in the 250cc category (Group B).

Tragically, Shreyas' passing marks the second fatality in Indian motorsport this year, after KE Kumar, a 59-year-old respected racer, lost his life in a crash during the second round of the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship 2022 at the Madras International Circuit in January.

As the racing community grieves the loss of Copparam Shreyas Hareesh, the focus now shifts to ensuring the safety of all racers. Authorities and organizers are urged to review safety measures and make improvements where necessary to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Shreyas will be remembered not only for his exceptional talent but also for the passion and dedication he brought to the sport. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends, and the entire motorsport community during this incredibly difficult time. May his memory serve as an enduring inspiration to young racers around the world, and may he rest in peace.