The world of bike racing mourns the loss of a prodigious talent as 13-year-old Copparam Shreyas Hareesh, affectionately known as ‘The Bengaluru Kid,’ met with a fatal accident during the National Motorcycle Racing Championship (NMRC) at Chennai’s Irungattukottai. Shreyas, who made history in May as the first Indian to reach the World Championship final in two-wheeler racing in Spain, suffered a devastating crash during the third round of the race.
Riding a 200cc motorbike, Shreyas skidded and tragically lost his helmet. Another rider following closely behind couldn’t avoid colliding with the young talent, leading to a fatal head injury. Despite immediate medical attention, Shreyas was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.
In the wake of this heartbreaking incident, the Madras Motor Sports Club canceled the remaining races scheduled for the weekend as a mark of respect.
Shreyas was celebrated for his exceptional bike control and had shown immense promise as a rising star in the world of motorbike racing. His achievements were nothing short of remarkable, especially for someone so young. In May, he participated in the FIM Mini-GP World Championship in Spain, securing impressive 5th and 4th positions in the first and subsequent second races, respectively.
His journey to the World Championship final started in India, where he won the FIM Mini-GP championship in 2022. Subsequently, he caught the attention of TVS and was recruited for the rookie cup, where he continued to shine, winning the first four races in the category. His talent then earned him a place in the pro-stock 165cc open, solidifying his status as one of the most promising young racers in the country.
Shreyas Hareesh’s untimely departure has left a void in the racing community, and he will forever be remembered as a bright star that burned too soon.