A racing prodigy who died too young

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The shocking death of Shreyas Hareesh, the first Indian bike racer to reach the final of the World Championship in Spain, in a crash during the National Motorcycle Racing Championship (NMRC) in Chennai, has devastated sports enthusiasts who were his admirers.

The 13- year old Bengaluru kid, on Saturday lost control of his bike while negotiating a turn during the third round of the FMSCI- Championship at the Madras International Circuit.

The 200cc bike Shreyas was riding, skidded, causing his helmet to fall off. He was run over by a rider from behind, leading to a head injury killing him.

Copparam Shreyas Hareesh celebrated his 13th birthday on 26th July. The Madras Motor Sports Club has revealed that the rest of the weekend’s races have been cancelled due to Shreyas’ death. 

Shreyas started his career in FIM Mini-Jeep at Bhar in 2022 and clinched the championship.

Then Shreyas, who also participated in the National Championship, was selected by TVS for the Rookie Cup. TVS encouraged the young racer and provided him with training and a TVS bike for races.

Shreyas won the first four races in the rookie category. Experts have identified Shreyas as one of the most capable racers in the country.

At age 11, Shreyas got a license from the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) to participate in races. He was also provided redesigned bikes for his height and was given the opportunity to race in the events, but not on public roads.

The rules also mandated that an adult must accompany him while training. Shreyas is the first Indian Mini GP champion and runner-up in the rookie class at the FMSCI-Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2022.

He also participated in the Mini Velocity Spanish Cup this year where he impressed the bike-racing fraternity.

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

Lost forever

According to the press release issued by the organisers, Shreyas fell off from the bike while exiting Turn-1 and suffered a serious head injury.

The race was stopped immediately and the young biker was taken to a hospital nearby in a trauma care ambulance. He was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

Shreyas's father, Copparam Hareesh was at his bedside, the copy stated. President of the Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC), Ajit Thomas said, "It is tragic to lose such a young and talented rider. In May this year, Shreyas participated in the Mini GP race in Spain after winning the Mini GP India title," he said.

FMSCI President Akbar Ebrahim said, "It is a very sad and unfortunate day. This boy was very close to us. As for the federation, once all the reports come, as per our Standard Operating Procedures, we will have a detailed investigation," he said.

This is the second death in Indian motorsport this year. In January, 59-year-old KE Kumar, a well-known and respected racer died in a hospital after a crash in the second round of the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship 2022 at the Madras International Circuit.

Bengaluru kid

Born on July 26, 2010 in Bengaluru, Shreyas was a student of Kendri School here. Right at a young age, he began to ride bikes with his father, Copparam Hareesh, taking the lead.

Hareesh, who worked for a pharmaceutical company, would take his son to Cubbon Park to teach him bike riding.