Swarnav Das and Rehan Khan Rasheed Open IAME India Season with Commanding Round 1 Victories at Coimbatore

Mini

Rudra Gokulnath opened the weekend as the driver to beat, topping Official Practice ahead of Ayansh Patil and Aaruthran Prabu before backing it up with victory in the Heat. Prabu finished second in the Heat, while Shiv Neel completed the top three.

The Final delivered a different outcome. Shiv Neel converted consistent pace into victory, taking the opening win of the season. Ayansh Patil secured second despite receiving a six-second track limits penalty, while Rudra Gokulnath completed the podium after a five-second bumper penalty left his result unchanged in third.

Junior

Rehan Khan Rasheed set the pace from the outset, leading Official Practice ahead of Adithya Prathap and Vibeesh Raja. Qualifying reinforced that form, with Rasheed emerging as the fastest Junior driver while placing second overall behind Senior competitor Swarnav Das. Prathap qualified second in class, with Yasvinraam Rajamanickam third.

The Heat saw Rasheed maintain control ahead of Prathap and Rajamanickam, while the latter retained third despite a five-second bumper penalty.

The Super Heat provided one of the few interruptions to Rasheed's dominance. Prathap claimed victory ahead of Rasheed, with Rajamanickam once again finishing third despite another bumper penalty.

In the Final, Rasheed returned to the front to secure the opening Junior victory of the season. Arjun Prasad Sri Hari finished second, while Prathap completed the podium in third despite carrying a five-second bumper penalty.

Senior

Swarnav Das controlled the Senior category throughout the weekend. The pace began in Official Practice, where Das led Balaprasath and Raunak Surej before carrying that advantage into Qualifying to secure overall pole position.

The Heat followed the same pattern, with Das leading home Balaprasath and Surej.

In the Super Heat, Das remained unbeaten. Surej moved up to second while Balaprasath completed the podium despite receiving a 27-second track limits penalty.

The Final confirmed Das as the standout performer of Round 1. He completed a clean sweep of Official Practice, Qualifying, Heat, Super Heat, and Final victory, with Surej finishing second to secure a strong opening points haul.

Round 1 ultimately produced three distinct stories. Shiv Neel emerged victorious in a tightly contested Mini category, Rasheed converted consistent pace into Junior honours, and Das delivered the most complete performance of the weekend to establish himself as the early Senior championship leader.