13-year-old rider Shreyas Hareesh dies after crash at 2W National racing event

Chennai: In a tragic incident, Copparam Shreyas Hareesh, a 13-year-old prodigy from Bengaluru, died following a crash in the third round of the MRF MMSC-FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2023 at the Madras International Circuit, about 40 km from here on Saturday.

Promoter of the event, Madras Motor Sports Club, has cancelled the remaining races scheduled for today and tomorrow in view of the incident, Organisers said.

Hareesh succumbed to injuries he suffered following the crash that occurred soon after the start of the Rookie race for which he had qualified for pole position this morning.

While exiting Turn-1, Shreyas had a fall following a crash and suffered grievous head injuries.

The race was red-flagged immediately and he was rushed to a nearby hospital in a trauma care ambulance stationed at the track.

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

Born on July 26, 2010, Shreyas, a student of Kensri School in Bengaluru, was being hailed as a rising star, as he had won several races at the National level, including four in a row, competing in the Rookie category of the Petronas TVS One-Make Championship this season.

MMSC President Ajit Thomas said it was 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.

“Under the circumstances, we have decided to cancel rest of this weekend’s programme. The MMSC offers heartfelt condolences and our thoughts are with his family” , he said.

In May this year, Shreyas, having won the MiniGP India title, had participated in the MiniGP races in Spain, finishing both races in fifth and fourth positions.

He was scheduled to compete in the MSBK Championship 2023 at Sepang Circuit, Malaysia, later this month, representing team CRA Motorsports in the 250cc category (Group B). (UNI)