Chennai: Two time F4 title winner and former National racing champion Ashwin Sundar, who had excelled in all formats of motorsport, and his wife Nivedhita were charred to death when the luxury car in which they were travelling rammed into a road side tree and burst into flames in the city today. Police and family sources said the couple were returning home in their BMW car, when the tragedy occurred at the arterial Santhome High Road on the Marina Beach road early this morning. (pic- twitter)
Thirty-one-year-old Ashwin, who had won several titles and was adjudged Champion of Champions in India for winning the 115cc 4-stroke and 150cc four-stroke titles in 2006, lost control of the vehicle after one of the tyres got burst and rammed into a roadside tree. In the impact, the car burst into flames, trapping the couple inside the car. Immediately, the fire engulfed the car and the couple were charred to death. Acting on information, police and fire service personnel rushed to the spot, put out the blaze, and removed the charred bodies to the government hospital for post mortem. (Video on next page)
Police have registered a case and are investigating. As the news spread, a pall of gloom engulfed the motorsport fraternity, with racing icons, including FMSCI President Akbar Ebrahim, expressing shock and profound grief over his death. “It’s a sad day for motor sports,” Akbar Ebrahim tweeted. “I knew Ashwin since he was an infant and I saw him excel in all formats of the sport'', he said. ''May his and his wife’s soul rest in peace,” he said, expressing his deep anguish and sorrow on behalf of the motorsport fraternity?.
Ashwin took to racing early in his life and won many titles in his illustrious career. In 2006, he was adjudged Champion of Champions in India after winning the 115cc 4-stroke and 150cc 4-stroke titles. In 2012 and 2013 he became the country’s undisputed F4 champion as well. (UNI)