He has donned many a role to perfection on the silver screen but the role of a racing driver is what Actor Jai loves most.
“It has been my childhood dream. Racing is not new to me. I have done street racing with my friends in Chennai. The roads were long and wide and we raced like mad as young boys,” said the romantic hero of Raja Rani on the sidelines of the FMSCI-MMSC national racing championship at the Kari Motor Speedway in Chettipalayam last weekend.
Driving for Team Rad Racing, Jai tested his skills at the wheel in the Indian Junior Touring Car (IJTC) category. His debut race on Saturday (July 19) at the Coimbatore circuit turned out to be a disappointing one as he could complete just two laps. “The right steering column and the drivetrain let me down badly. I was pretty much upset as those in my team. We worked hard and we never expected it to be cut short to just two laps,” said Jai.
But the team was quick to react to the situation. They worked hard on his car and he was back with a bang on Sunday. This time around, it was smooth driving all the way.
He mixed caution with aggression while finishing a creditable 15th.
“He has done a brilliant job so far. The starting line-up had 24 drivers and finishing 15th is a job well done. Also, if you check out his lap timings, he has been only two seconds slower to the top drivers,” said Radha Selvarajan, Rad Racing’s Team Principal.
Selvarajan, who is also an experienced racing driver, pointed out that Jai has amazing driving skills. He has just raced two rounds of the national racing championship. He did well in Chennai and has done an equally good job in Coimbatore. Trust me, by the end of the season he will be among the top five drivers.”
Jai is equally determined to make it big. “I am just a year into racing. I have been practising sincerely since December last. With just a few months driving experience, I managed to do well in my last race in Chennai. I won the best rookie award as well,” said Jai, who does not really mind working with the mechanics and greasing his palms.“Why should I feel bad to work on my car. Even in reel life, I avoid body doubles, be it for car chasing or fighting, I do my own stunts,” he quickly added.
He said he was under some pressure driving his first race in Chennai. “I am sort of comfortable now. Thanks to Narain Karthikeyan, Selvarajan and Feroze Khan (national race driver).”
About managing both acting and driving, he said he gives cent per cent. “I am enjoying racing as much as my acting. I will continue to do full justice because I love both of them.”
Selvarajan said Jai is very serious about driving. “He is there at the track doing lap after lap every Sunday. I am going to train him by racing alongside. I am going to throw a challenge to beat me and with it teach him all the technicalities that I have learnt over the last 18 years.”
“Don't be surprised, even otherwise you can expect fireworks from him next year,” he added.
