'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Anindith Reddy, the defending Champion, sits a point behind leader Vishnu Prasad after two rounds in the Euro JK 17 series. The 28-year-old health care entrepreneur didn't enjoy the greatest qualification but came storming back to finish round 2 with 36 points, making up a lot of ground on Vishnu Prasad.
We had the privilege of interviewing Anindith Reddy at the Kari Motor Speedway in Chettipalayam, Coimbatore.
Q: What do you make of your performance in round 2?
A: "The pace was pretty good in practice. Even though there were a couple of issues with the car, I knew in the back of my mind that I had the pace. Qualifying was a bit of a disaster for me because it was a drying track, and the last two laps weren't up to scratch. The second to last lap wasn't great, and I made a mistake in the last lap.
This was probably my worst qualifying in the last one and a half years, but the races have been pretty good. I've managed to get good starts, and I've moved up the order quite early."
Q: What kind of strategy do you employ when you start a race down the grid?
A: "You've got to be aggressive in the opening laps. When you start in front you can be a little bit more conservative, and you can pull out a lead through the race. Especially when you have a competitor like Vishnu Prasad in front, you have to come out of the blocks really quickly otherwise he can pull away from you.
You definitely need to have a very aggressive attitude coming in, and you need to move up the places as quickly as you can."
Q: All of you drive very often at the Kari Motor Speedway. How does your knowledge of the track factor into your strategy?
A: "In a track like this, it has to factor into things quite heavily because it's very difficult to pass someone because there are a lot of slow corners. So, if you're defending a lead you can just place the car on the inside, and it becomes very difficult for someone to pass you.
When you're chasing someone, it's all about forcing the person in front of you to make a mistake and then capitalising on that mistake to the best of your abilities."
Q: Where do you see your motorsport career going in the next 5 years?
A: "Honestly, that's a question that I don't really have an answer for because I'm a pretty latecomer to motorsport. I've always had a passion for it, and I've wanted to race from a very young age, but I didn't really get an opportunity until 3-4 years ago."
Q: Could you tell us what you plan to do next?
A: "There are a lot of things that I'd like to do. I want to race GT cars next year, but there are a lot of things that could happen between now and then."
Q: What do you think about the infrastructure for motorsport in India? Where do you think it needs to improve?
A: "The infrastructure definitely needs a big improvement. I've noticed that small steps have been taken during my four years of racing. We need more tracks and I also believe that we need the involvement of OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to take things forward. Government support is, of course, another thing that would go a long way in helping the progression of motorsport in India.
In an ideal world, motorsport wouldn't just be for the elite, and it would be a lot more accessible. But that's easier said than done."
