In a heart-wrenching incident at the Madras International Circuit in Chennai, the Indian motorsport community is left grieving the loss of the young racing sensation, Shreyas Copparam Hareesh.
He had unfortunately met with a fatal accident during the Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (INMRC) 2023. The 13-year-old motorcycle racing champion was heralded as a rising star in the sport, with dreams that could have taken India to the coveted MotoGP platform.
Shreyas’ innate racing acumen set him apart from his peers. His qualification for the pole position in the INMRC rookie category race earlier that day was a testament to his prodigious talent and marked him as a force to be reckoned with. However, fate dealt a cruel blow, as a fatal crash during an attempt to exit turn 1 of the Chennai circuit claimed his young life.
Shreyas had already achieved remarkable success at such a tender age. As a multiple-race winner at the national level, including four consecutive victories, he was a standout performer in the Petronas TVS One-Make Championship rookie category this season.
The tragic accident led to immediate measures to ensure Shreyas’ safety. The race was red-flagged, and he was swiftly taken to a nearby hospital. Despite the best efforts, hearts were broken as the young prodigy was pronounced dead on arrival.
Following this devastating loss to Indian motorsport community, the Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC) made the decision to cancel the remaining races for Saturday and Sunday.
Shreyas’ Journey in Motorsports
On his social media handle, @thebengalurukid, Shreyas had once said, “My heart doesn’t just beat, it races! And I want to keep racing at the #MotoGP.”
Shreyas’ journey was nothing short of extraordinary. Notably, he participated in the MiniGP races in Spain, showcasing his prowess on the international stage. A true trailblazer, he was set to compete in the Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) 2023 at the Sepang circuit in Kuala Lumpur, representing CRA Motorsports in the 250cc category (Group B).
The accolades and achievements of this young prodigy were awe-inspiring. From being India’s first-ever MiniGP Champion to becoming the youngest racer to win a Group D race in the MRF MMSC Indian National Championships, Shreyas was redefining boundaries and raising the bar for young riders across the nation.
In the face of tragedy, the motorsport community stands united, honouring Shreyas’ legacy as a beacon of hope for young talents in India. In his website, Shreyas had mentioned about his dreams of hearing the Indian National Anthem play at the MotoGP.
Losing a young talent like Shreyas is a profound loss for the motorsport community and for the nation. As we mourn his passing, let us also appreciate the passion and dedication he brought to the sport he loved. Shreyas’ spirit will forever be an inspiration, and his memory will continue to drive young riders to pursue their dreams fearlessly. May he rest in peace, and may his dreams of representing India in MotoGP remain alive in our hearts.