He might have made his debut only in 2018, but Karthik Mateti from Hyderabad has already won three titles in the National Motorcycle Racing Championship for the season. A second-year B.Com student from Roots Degree College, the Telugu boy won National Champion (stock up to 165CC) and One-make novice championship in December 2018, becoming the youngest from Telangana State to do so.
His performance at the National level earned him a wild card entry to represent India in the International Asia Cup of Road Races, in which he triumphed once more.
“It was an emotional moment and I was ecstatic to win three titles in my debut year,” Karthik states, adding, “When I started the year, I did not expect that I would finish it on such a high note, but these wins have given me an ideal kick-start and boost to my career.”
Recalling his foray into racing, Karthik says, “Right from my childhood, I was interested in bike racing and used to watch all the Moto GP championships on television. But I didn’t know how to be a professional. Initially, I was into street racing and later, got into stunts (wheeling and bike feats) that I used to perform in colleges. I finally joined Raceists, a motorsport club that trains professional racers.”
Karthik recalls that he used to practice on a Go Karting track on the city’s outskirts during the weekends. And within six months, he became a professional racer. “I was certified by the Federation of Motorsports Club of India, which is the official authority to conduct all the two and four wheeler racing events,” he explains.
Adding that racing has made him more spontaneous, and that he is able to concentrate for a longer period of time, the 19-year-old reveals that he has had his share of injuries.
“I knew that injuries are bound to happen. But it’s my passion for the sport that keeps me going,” states Karthik, adding, “Initially, no one, including my family, encouraged me and I struggled a lot. I even sold my mobile to buy the race suit for the competitions. Many also discouraged me by saying that racing would give me nothing, but the same people are now clapping at my performance.”
Surprisingly, no one in his college knew that he is a professional racer. “They are all awestruck to see my achievement, but at the same time, they keep cautioning me on how dangerous the sport is,” he quips.
