S. Sarath Kumar

Kumar completed his secondary schooling from the Tamil Nadu Open University in 2008, and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in business management through the Madras Open University. In February 2010, he attended the California Superbike School, taught by Keith Code at the MMSC Track at Chennai, with his tuition paid by the Madras Motor Sports Club as a way to encourage young talent.

Kumar started racing as a privateer on a TVS Apache 150cc 4-stroke in the "TVS Race a bike scheme class" at the JK Junior Championship and the Summer Cup 2008, and finished second in both races. He joined TVS Racing that same year, and won the National Champion title for the year 2008 in the up to 130 cc 4-stroke novice class. His intention was to move to the 125cc class in 2011.

In 2009, Kumar joined Ten10 Racing India Pvt Ltd during the third round and competed in the up to 165 cc 4-stroke open class, finishing fourth that September. He entered the FIM UAM Indian round of the Asia GP championship as a wildcard entry in the "Honda Stunner" class and finished seventh and eighth.

In January 2010, Kumar won the Indian 4-stroke up to 165cc open class at the MECO Endurance Race, a 90-minute non-stop event, and was adjudged as the best rider of the day. During the MRF International Challenge 2010, Kumar finished first in the Yamaha 135cc one-make underbone class and second in the Group D – 4-stroke up to 165cc open class. In August 2010, Kumar participated in the FIM UAM Asia GP Indian Championship round as a wild card entry in the "Honda Stunner" class and finished fourth and fifth.

Based on his performance during the FIM UAM Asia GP (Indian round), the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India offered Kumar a sponsored entry for the Japan round of the UAM championship. He finished seventh and eighth and set the second-fastest lap time at the circuit for his class at 1:54.3.

• "Sarath Kumar the first Indian rider in the World Championship.", Times of India, 24 November 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
• "Sarath Kumar First Indian In Motogp", http://burnyourfuel.com, 27 November 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2010.