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For S Sarath Kumar, life is all about being in the fast lane

Speaking at the FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship in Chennai, where he finished second in the HOMR CBR 250 R Championship category racing with team Ten10 on Sunday, the 24-year-old said there was simply no other profession that he could have ended up pursuing.

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Sarath Kumar is the first Indian to race at the MOTO GP
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Given that he is the first Indian to participate in the ultra-competitive environs of MotoGP, S Sarath Kumar could well be labelled as the country's poster boy in two-wheeling racing. But to become the king of the fast lane, the Chennai resident had to first drive a taxi to make ends meet.

Speaking at the FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship in Chennai, where he finished second in the HOMR CBR 250 R Championship category racing with team Ten10 on Sunday, the 24-year-old said there was simply no other profession that he could have ended up pursuing.

"I chose to drive a taxi as it was the closest thing I would get to driving. Driving a taxi saw me meet my expenses that I needed for racing. Plus I knew I wasn't cut out for office (work). This allowed me to drive and take leave as per choice," said Kumar who, in December 2014, became the first Indian racer to secure a podium finish at the Honda Asia Dream Cup in Qatar.

Having lost his father early, it was up to Kumar to support his mother, who worked as a beautician, and his younger sister. "I loved speed right from the time I was a kid. I spent hours in the garage modifying my cycle that I used to take to school. Wheelies were my favourite thing and I liked showing off," added Kumar, who completed his secondary schooling from the Tamil Nadu Open University. "I had to start earning. It was better than nothing. Hours spent with screwdrivers and bolts made me the driver that I am today," the Valentino Rossi fan revealed.

In 2008, Kumar, then only 17, needed Rs 500 to enter the JK Junior Championship and Summer Cup. "Forget money for the competition, I didn't have money even to buy a train ticket to Coimbatore. A friend of mine decided to sponsor me." Not only did Kumar repay the faith by paying back his pal, he also finished second in two races. This helped him earn a deal with TVS Racing.

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