Bengaluru’s racing community mourns the tragic loss of 13-year-old racing sensation, Copparam Shreyas Hareesh, who tragically passed away due to injuries sustained in a crash during the third round of the fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2023.
The heart-wrenching incident unfolded at the Madras International Circuit on Saturday.
Shreyas Hareesh, a student at Kensri School in Bengaluru, had shown immense promise in the racing world.
His star was on the rise, having secured numerous victories at the National level, including an impressive streak of four consecutive wins in the Rookie category of the Petronas TVS One-Make Championship this season.
Tragedy struck during the Rookie race, where Shreyas started from the pole position. As the race commenced, he suffered a severe crash at Turn-1, resulting in a critical head injury.
Despite immediate medical attention at the track, the young rider’s life could not be saved.
The race was promptly red-flagged, and Shreyas was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital in a trauma care ambulance. Regrettably, he was pronounced dead upon arrival, with his father, Copparam Hareesh, by his side.
The Madras Motor Sports Club, the event’s organizers, took the decision to cancel the remaining races scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday in light of this tragic incident.
MMSC President Ajit Thomas expressed his condolences, acknowledging the immense loss to the motorsports community. He emphasized Shreyas’ exceptional talent and noted the immediate medical attention he received at the track.
Shreyas Hareesh had also showcased his prowess on the international stage, participating in MiniGP races in Spain earlier this year after winning the MiniGP India title. His aspirations were set on competing in the MSBK Championship 2023 at Sepang Circuit, Malaysia, representing team CRA Motorsports in the 250cc category (Group B).
The untimely demise of this young racing star casts a shadow over the world of motorsports in India, leaving a void that will be deeply felt by fans, fellow competitors, and the racing community as a whole.
