Shreyas Hareesh, 13-Year-Old Racing Prodigy, Dies After Crash At Chennai Track

Chennai: 13-year-old Bengaluru prodigy Copparam Shreyas Hareesh passed away from injuries sustained in a crash during the third round of the FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2023 on Saturday at the Madras International Circuit.

Shreyas Hareesh had qualified in the pole position on Saturday morning for the start of the Rookie race when the incident took place. In a release on Saturday, the organizers informed that Shreyas fell following a crash and suffered a severe injury to the head when exiting Turn-1.

He was taken to a local hospital in a trauma care ambulance that was waiting at the track after the race was promptly red flagged. At the hospital, he was already listed as dead. Copparam Hareesh, his father, was by his bedside.

His passing in the collision is a terrible tragedy for motorsports in the nation.

MMSC president Ajit Thomas said: “It is tragic to have lost a rider so young and talented.”

“Under the circumstances, we have decided to cancel the rest of this weekend’s programme. The MMSC offers heartfelt condolences and our thoughts are with his family,” he added.

Shreyas, who was causing a stir with his tremendous racing talent, received quick medical attention on the scene immediately following the incident and was then rushed to the hospital.

Shreyas competed in the MiniGP races in Spain in May of this year after winning the MiniGP India championship, finishing both races in fifth and fourth place. He was slated to represent team CRA Motorsports in the 250cc division (Group B) of the 2023 MSBK Championship at Sepang Circuit in Malaysia in August.