Kundapura: National car racing champion Ranjith Ballal dies in road mishap

Team Udayavani, Dec 10, 2024, 8:59 AM IST

Kundapura: Ranjith Ballal (59), a national car racing champion, died on the spot when his motorcycle collided with a Tata Ace vehicle carrying a gas cylinder. The accident occurred on Monday at around 4:30 PM near the Arate Bridge on National Highway 66, between Kundapura and Byndoor.

Ranjith, son of Mangaluru-based K.B. Yuvaraj Ballal, was returning from a family trip to Goa. While he was on his motorcycle, his family was following him in a car.

It is gathered that the mishap occurred when the Tata Ace driver suddenly slowed down at an unscientific diversion created due to a road closure near the bridge. Ranjith’s motorcycle crashed into the vehicle, leading to his demise.

Ibrahim and Abrar Gangolli of the 24×7 Ambulance Service assisted in transporting the body to the hospital. Gangolli SI Harish and his team visited the spot for inspection.

A Celebrated Racing Champion

Ranjith Ballal was a national champion in car rallying and had won over 100 trophies. Known for his expertise in autocross and hill climbing, he was regarded as one of the fastest drivers in the sport.

A mentor to many, Ranjith had trained several racers, some of whom also went on to become national champions. In addition to motorsports, he excelled in badminton, cricket, and snooker. He had organized prestigious tournaments across the country, including Leh, Ladakh, and Uttarakhand, for reputed companies.

He was also known as an excellent tuner, earning acclaim through his Bengaluru-based R.A.C. company. His untimely demise is a significant loss to the racing community.