Malaysia's Charlie Charles took full advantage of his pole position and staved off the challenge from the rest of the field for 35 laps to emerge champion in the Asia Zone National Karting Championship category (AZNKC) of the MRF-MAI Fromule Mondiale Championship at the Acres Club, in Mumbai, on Sunday.

Earlier, the inaugural round of the 2004 season was inaugurated by batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, who also flagged off the race in the Indian National Karting Championship (INKC).

Defending National champion Deepak Paul Chinappa drove away with the honours and also had the privilege of receiving the trophy from Tendulkar.

Chinnappa, was also expected to do well in the AZNKC, but his kart packed up and he could complete only 16 laps. However, local lad Ameya Walawalkar made the most of the situation, finishing in second spot behind the Formula BMW Scholarship 2003 champion Charles.

Miko Nassi of Finland, the Kelantan Kart Prix Champion 2003, took third place.

In another engrossing race in the Kadet INKC, Chennai's Ashwin Sunder gave the packed house a dazzling driving display when he made some daring moves to overtake early leader Ajay Kini, also from Chennai, and win the inaugural round.

Following are the top three finishers:

AZNKC: Charlie Charles (Malaysia) 19:23.811 mins; Ameya Walawalkar (Mumbai) 19:47.737; Mikko Nassi (Finland) 19: 50.908.

INKC: Deepak Paul Chinappa (Bangalore) 14:40.860 mins; Ashok Jadhav (Mumbai) 14:47.190; Audumber Hede (Goa) 14:50.375.

K-INKC: Vishnu Prasad (Chennai) 9:26.744 mins; Akay Kini (Chennai) 9:31.277; Akshay Hede (Goa) 9:36.371.

KCT: Surjit Saini (Mumbai) 11:29.020 mins; Danesh Banajee (Pune) 11:29.429; Neil Bahal (Mumbai) 11:38.736.