Bengaluru, July 30 (IANS): Italy's iconic kart manufacturer Birel ART marked its entry into India by signing up 10-year old sensation Ruhaan Alva who is currently placed second in the ongoing JK Tyre Rotax Max National Championship, it was announced on Saturday.

Bengaluru-based Ruhaan will race for Birel ART India in the current JK Tyre Rotax Max National Championship besides a few select races in Europe in 2017.

Ruhaan started his racing career in 2014 in the UK and immediately showed great potential by winning the Novice Category of the Little Greenman Championship. In 2015, he raced in India where he won the JK Tyre Rookie Cup and finished second in the highly competitive Micro Max class of the JK Tyre Rotax Max National Championship. 

“I am very happy for the opportunity," said Ruhaan Alva. "Birel ART has arrived this year in India, and they are the best and coolest team. I am also very excited because ART Grand Prix has teams in Formula Renault 2.0, GP3 and GP2 and can guide me in my career in Europe."

Birel ART India's team principal Marco Bartoli added: "He is a great talent and has impressed us with his speed, consistency and maturity. Off the track, he is a pretty quiet kid, but it's pretty clear that Ruhaan likes to do his talking on the track!"