Chhota Shaitan sets racetracks on fire
A Maruti 800 model from 1985 continues to breeze past its competition, winning 84 races so far
M K Ashoka bmfeedback@indiatimes.com


A1985 model Maruti 800 from our city has been setting racing tracks across the state ablaze, winning both awards and fans as it goes along. Be it autocross, hillclimb or drag racing, this red monster has left behind Altos and Matizes to cross the finishing line first 84 times (see box). It’s nickname — Chhota Shaitan (Little Devil) — is quite apt, under the circumstances.
LUCKY CHARM
“This car is my lucky charm,” says Baban Khan, Chhota Shaitan’s owner. “Whenever I race with it, I’ve won an average of eight out of 10 races.” Even this year, Baban has won four out of the five racing championships
he’s participated in while driving the 800.
The car’s old rugged look and unattractive interiors are misleading. It can hit 140 kmph in a matter of seconds. The secret of this car’s success is pistons made in Detroit, US, Baban says. In addition, it has good racing camshafts, carburetion, headers and filters. “All these make it one of the fastest autocross cars of the country in the 800cc category,” he says. “Before the car takes part in a race, we identify and replace the spare parts... then Chhota Shaitan takes care of the rest. It’s a crazy car.”
The vehicle turns out for Bangalorebased Team FRK (Fazil Ram Kumar).
Over the years, Bangalore has become a hub of motorsports in India, and about 18-20 races are organised in the city every year. On an average, Chennai hosts 8-10 races a year while Mumbai and Hyderabad host four each.
IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT
CHHOTA SHAITANcouldn’t have achieved what it has without its dexterous driver Baban Khan, a realtor-cum-racer from Bilgunda in Coorg. This 48-year-old has participated in 821 car and bike races and won 647 trophies. He races for Nisar Motor Works in the two-wheeler category and represents Team FRK in the fourwheeler category. His exploits include: »Karnataka championship May, 2010 »KMSC INC April, 2010 »Fastlane racing April, 2010 »CAT Autocross March 2010 » 15 titles in Drag Meet & Hill Climb events in Mysore


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GREAT GOING BABBAN

48 and still raring to go !!

Awesome!!

for the wrtie up vishal

got to appreciate his enthu and dedication and commitment towards motorsports, be it auto cross or on a serious note an INRC rally...... motorsports of any form !!!

you have to applaud more so cos he is from your own team SANKI !!!

And learnt FRK means Fazil Ram Kumar ...... was it an association with another person called Ram Kumar???
tell us more about one of the oldest and meanest mods garage in bangalore.

Nice read thanks for sharing Vishal. I have always drooled over the yellow RD Baban Khan rides for Nisar motor works. Hats off to Mr. Baban Khan for his undying enthusiasm for motor sports.

FRK stands for Fazil Ram Khan, these press guys got it wrong.

really commendable performance. keep it up.

@vishal:yes,one of the oldest,meanest n the fastest teams of bangalore.FRK-Fazil Ram Damodar khan...was started by two people called mr.FAZIL KHAN and mr.Ram Damodar.more details at our website...www.frkracing.com...or contact frkracing@gmail.com for all details...we will be very pleased to share more info about us...

babban bhai rockxxx....1 shud go to his house n see his trophies...he has 700+ recorded trophies with news paper cuttings..really bhai u ROCK!!!!




REGARDS
AEMAN