Need for speed; Narain zooms ahead
Hindustan Times - July 7, 2003

Burning the tarmac has its perils. Ask Narain Karthikeyan, the speed devil. When a lower back infection made even getting into the car an act of bravery, the fastest Indian in the world scored two podium finishes at Monza, the speediest track in the Superfund Formula Nissan World Series Championship. "Now, Monza in Italy, is not Chennai. Still, in 42 degrees, which is remarkably hot for Europe, the seat was burning. And the boil on my back brought things to a boil. Even though a specialist in England advised me against it, I decided to take my chance.

And I am happy about it today," says Karthikeyan, in the city to test-drive the petrol version of the Indica V2. After the ‘blistering’ finish at Monza and a rejuvenating dose of rasam and antibiotics in hometown Coimbatore, Narain’s need for speed has him itching to grip the steering again. Next stop Lausitzring, Germany.

Narain, who has reached the second position in the championship, will be eyeing another podium finish on the oval track near Berlin. When he is not setting the tarmac afire, Narain chills out by, you guessed it, watching cricket! Now, with Brian Lara, Steve Waugh and Sachin Tendulkar going karting in Chennai, Narain may swing by to take a peek. Now that’s the bend that leads to genius-junction!