OmanPride: Six-year-old takes top spot in Bambino category

More sports Sunday 26/November/2017 19:00 PM
By: Times News Service
OmanPride: Six-year-old takes top spot in Bambino category

Six-year-old Shonal Kunimal claimed the top position in the Bambino class of the UAE Rotax Max Challenge 2017-18 at Al Forsan International Sports Resort. The Grade 1 student of Indian School Al Ghubra International is the youngest in the 5-8 Bambino category of UAE Rotax Max Challenge.
Earlier, Shonal also participated in Al Ain Raceway race and Dubai Kartdrome race. He added to his winning streak by bagging the top position as Bambino champion in Abu Dhabi.
Shonal has won many medals and trophies in national karting races at Oman Automobile Association (OAA), International UAE Rotax Max Challenge, and IAME X30 Challenge Middle East. He has also made the fastest lap-time record ever for the Bambino category in Dubai Kartdrome, Ras Al Khaimah Kart Track and Al Forsan International Sports Resort.

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Shonal started holding the steering wheel while sitting on his father’s lap at the age of two itself. He had an innate liking for cars, trucks and heavy vehicle toys. As a young go-karting competitor, Shonal had all the skills and concentration for this sport, and senior mechanic Sonny Ericson Lozano and coach Sanad Al Rawahi of OAA noticed it the very first time they saw Shonal driving on the karting track.
Al Rawahi, the 22-year-old karting coach and former world champion, is currently training Shonal.
“Shonal is a fast learner with an inborn talent. He is a good listener and extremely passionate about karting,” said the coach, adding that he was confident Shonal was well prepared to participate in international races and compete with other karters. Sanad’s vision came true and Shonal started achieving his dreams gradually.
With the support and encouragement of his parents, teachers and principal of Al Ghubra International, Shonal hopes to be like Michael Schumacher in the future.