(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) 'This boy is super fast. He has wealth of talent and potential. Mark my words, he will go a long way in future.' These were the words of Oman's motor sports legend, Hamed al Wahaibi, after watching Shonal Kunimal, a six year old Indian schoolkid based in Muscat, clinch the runner-up spot in the recently-concluded IAME X30 Bambino Cup Championship in Ras al Khaimah, UAE.
And it seems it is not just Wahaibi who is impressed by the talented go-karting racer. Former Oman go-karting star and now a mentor, Sanad al Rawahi, who competed at the world championships, was equally surprised by Shonal's speed on the tracks.
The Indian School Ghubra (ISG) student has had a dream debut season, starting in March last year, as he not only finished overall runner-up spot in the X30 Bambino Cup Championship but also clinched the overall title in Bambino class in the Oman-UAE Rotax Max Challenge Series last month.
The six year old racer with his coach Sanad al Rawahi (left)
In the X30 event, Shonal missed two of the six rounds but ended up with a total of 697 points to finish behind eventual champion Zachary Stimpson of UK, who also won the last race. And in the UAE-Oman Rotax Max Challenge Series 2017-18, Shonal edged past Oman's Adam Awan in the overall table.
Following the successes, Shonal is looking ahead to gain more exposure by participating in European races.
A file photo of Shonal Kunimal after a race win in the X30 Bambino Cup
With no corporate backing, Shonal's father, Shojai Kunimal, is hoping for his friends and other well-wishers to back his talented kid, who fell in love with cars at the age of two. With a motor sports-loving mother in
Dr Nabrees Qandeel, who is from Palestine, the parents are now planning a future in racing for Shonal.
In his remarks to Muscat Daily on Tuesday, Sanad, who has been tutoring Shonal said, 'He is a good listener and extremely passionate about karting. He is capable of achieving great results ahead. I can see a spark in him and a desire to excel.'
Shojai said, 'Shonal has done exceptionally well in his first season. During the past season, Shonal had a total of seven wins out of the 16 races he took part in UAE and Muscat.
'We couldn't have achieved these results without the support of four individuals — coaches Sanad al Rawahi (Oman), Maxi Czyszek (Poland), Natcho Girona (Spain) and senior mechanic Sonny Ericson Lozano.'
A big fan of German Formula One legend Michael Schumacher, Shonal said, 'I love racing the kart around the corners and fast lanes. When not on the circuit, I try to watch Schumacher's races.'
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