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Sandeep Kumar Ambalavanan | |
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Born | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
Occupation(s) | Racing driver, Racing Coach, Legal Attorney |
Years active | 2007 - present |
Sandeep Kumar Ambalavanan is an Indian racing driver and legal attorney. He began his racing career at the age of 14 under the mentorship of Akbar Ebrahim, a former Formula 3 racer.
Kumar has won multiple national championships in India and has represented global brands and racing teams in various national and international competitions, including the European Volkswagen Scirocco R Cup, X1 Racing League (now the Indian Racing League), JK Tyre National Racing Championship, MRF National Racing Championship, and Rotax Asia Max Challenge. In 2023, Kumar was honored with the ‘Young Achievers Award’ from the Rotary Club.
Kumar started his racing career in professional karting, participating in several national karting championships such as the Rotax Max Challenge India and Rotax Max Challenge Asia. He was the Vice Champion of the 2008 Indian Rotax Max Challenge (Novice Cup).
In 2012, Kumar won the pro class of the Volkswagen Polo Cup India and secured the Vice Champion position in the national category. [1]
Kumar's performance in 2012 led to his participation in the 2013 Volkswagen Scirocco R Cup, representing Volkswagen Motorsports India. [2] He returned to the Ameo Cup Championship in 2017, finishing as vice champion. [3] In 2021, Kumar won the Polo Cup National Championship, which earned him a place on Volkswagen India’s Factory Racing team for the 2022 Indian Touring Car Championship. [4] In 2023, Kumar made history in the Polo Cup by winning all four races in a single weekend as a guest driver.
In 2022, Kumar competed in the Indian National Touring Car Championship, driving for Volkswagen Motorsports India. He played a significant role in developing the Volkswagen ITC Virtus Car and finished as the National Vice Champion, while his team secured the National Team Championship.
Kumar competed in the LGB Formula 4 Championship in 2017 with Dark Don Racing and was the Vice Champion. He returned to the championship in 2020, winning the LGB Formula 4 National Championship in the JK Tyre National Racing Championship.
In 2017, Kumar competed in the MRF Formula 1600 class of the MRF National Racing Championship, finishing as Vice National Champion. In 2023, after successful performances in previous seasons, Kumar won the Formula 2000 National Championship title. [5]
Kumar debuted in the Indian Racing League (IRL) in 2019 with AD Racing Delhi. He has since raced with various teams, achieving podium finishes. In 2023, he competed with Speed Demons Delhi, and in 2024, he is set to race for Chennai Turbo Riders.
Kumar bein involved in motorsports for over a decade is also coaching and mentoring new drivers. In 2024, he took on the role of race director for the Indian National Karting Championship, organized by Meco Motorsport.
Season | Series | Position |
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2023 | MRF Indian National Formula 2000 Championship | Champion [6] |
2022 | Indian Touring Car Championship – Volkswagen Motorsports India (Factory Driver) | Vice Champion [7] |
2021 | Volkswagen Polo R Cup | Champion [8] |
2020 | JK Tyre National Racing Championship - LGB Formula 4 | Champion [9] |
2017 | MRF Formula 1600 National Championship | Vice Champion [10] |
JK Tyre National Racing Championship - LGB Formula 4 | Vice Champion | |
VW Ameo Cup & Scholarship Awardee | Vice Champion | |
2015 | JK Formula India Series | - |
JK Tyre National Racing Championship - LGB Formula 4 | - | |
2012 | VW Polo R Pro Cup India | Champion |
European Scirocco R Cup Scholarship | Awardee [11] | |
2011 | Formula BMW Asia - Indian GP Support Race | Participant |
Rotax Max Challenge India | 8th | |
JK Tyre National Racing Championship - Formula Swift | 3rd | |
2010 | MMS Rookie Cup Rotax Max Karts | Champion |
JK Tyre National Racing Championship - Formula Swift | 6th | |
2009 | MMSC Cup Formula Fissme | Vice Champion |
2008 | Indian Rotax Max Challenge (Novice) | 2nd Overall |
2007 | Amaron Karting Challenge, Chennai | 3rd |
Season | Series | Position |
---|---|---|
2024 | Indian Racing League – Driver for Chennai Turbo Riders | - Current |
2023 | Indian Racing League – Driver for Speed Demons Delhi | - |
2022 | Indian Racing League – Driver for Chennai Turbo Riders| [12] | Multiple Top 3 finishes |
2019 | X1 Racing League – Team AD Racing (Delhi Franchise Team) | - |
2013 | VW Scirocco R Cup Europe | [13] | 8th (Novice) |
2012 | VW Polo Cup Colombo Night Race, Sri Lanka | [14] | 2nd |
2011 | JKRAS Formula BMW - Indian GP Support Race | - |
2009 | Rotax Max Asia Challenge in Indonesia and Malaysia | - |
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