Arthur Pic battled past Tio Ellinas to win Race 1 of the MRF Challenge 2013 at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC), here today.
Pole sitter Pic, the Formula 3.5 driver, and GP 3 racer Ellinas jostled for positions from the moment the lights went green as just two tenths off a second separated them in the support race to F1 Indian Grand Prix.
Ellinas made a move on lap 4 as he dived down the inside to get past Pic only to run wide allowing Pic to get back into the lead.
Japanese driver Yudai Jinkawa continued his good form from the MRF 1600 category to take the final podium spot after early pressure from Rupert Svendsen-Cook.
Pic had the perfect start from pole position and went straight into the lead followed by Ellinas. Behind the top two there was action with Harry Tincknell being punted off as three cars went side by side into Turn 3.
Jinkawa went into third position with Guerra in a surprising 4th position ahead of Svendsen-Cook and Sam Dejonghe.
Dejonghe passed Svendsen-Cook with 2 laps to go but was not close enough to try a move on Jinkawa. Sean Walkinshaw finished in 6th position giving him reverse pole for tomorrow's race.
