INDIA in F1

Author: David Bodapati

  • Samuel Jacob overall winner in 2w MRF Mogrip INRC: Rally of Coimbatore

    Samuel Jacob overall winner in 2w MRF Mogrip INRC: Rally of Coimbatore

    Coimbatore, 24 Jan 2021: Samuel Jacob of Team TVS Racing astride a TVS RTR 260cc became the Overall Winner of MRF Mogrip fmsci Rally of Coimbatore 2020, the third round of the Indian National Rally Championship for two-wheelers here on Sunday. He clocked a penalty of 1 hour 1 minute and 3 seconds in the National event successfully hosted by the Coimbatore Auto Sports Club and promoted by God Speed Racing under the dynamic leadership of Shyam Kothari, 7-time national motocross and multiple champion.

    J Imran Pasha, also from TVS Racing, bagged the Overall Runner-up place clocking 1:1:39. “The track gave ample scope to test the abilities of both the man and the machine, with many challenging and technical stages,” said Samuel, the winner of Group A pro-expert class. The event ran like clock-work without any delay, despite the COVID19 restrictions and a total distance of 80.22km, with a Special Stage distance of 67.00 kms was run on Saturday and Sunday.

    Local lad K Saravana Kumar won the Star of Tamil Nadu category exclusively for riders from Tamil Nadu. He posted a splendid performance finishing overall 23rd with a time of 1 hour 9 minutes and 13 seconds. The ceremonial flag off was held from Suguna Kalyana Mandapam by Goutham Hari, MRF, Regional Sales Manager on Saturday.

    Deeban Kumar, MRF’s District Manager, Coimbatore, was the chief guest for the prize distribution function which was held at Sennammal Kovil Mandapam, near Kethanur on Sunday. Organisers, CASC thanked MRF Limited and Godspeed for sponsoring and conducting the Championship successfully.

    Provisional Unaudited Results:

    Class 1: Super Bike Pro-expert Group A: 1. #4 Nataraj R (TVS Racing) (01:02.28.714); 2. #11 Rakesh Kumar P (Privateer Apache RTR) (01:07:40.744); 3. #12 Vinay Prasad (Pvt. Hero Xpulse) (01:08:01.976).

    Class 4: Super Sport 260B: 1. #1 Samuel lJacob (TVS Racing) (01hour; 01minute, 03.089 seconds);2. #6 J Imran Pasha (TVS Racing) (01:01.39.601); 3. #2 D Sachin (TVS Racing) (0:02.55.334). (All Apache
    RTR)

    Editor’s note: Results are incomplete and will be added as and when official copy is received

  • Heartbreak for Ashwin Datta as Sandeep conquers title

    Heartbreak for Ashwin Datta as Sandeep conquers title

    Coimbatore, 26 Jan. 2021: Racing ace Sandeep Kumar of Chennai clinched the Formula LGB 4 class as he brought out all his experience to keep his cool for his first major National title with a podium in the last race of the season in the 23rd JK Tyre fmsci National Racing Championship at the Kari Motor Speedway here on Sunday.

    Youngster Amir Sayed from Kottayam annexed the Rookie championship even as all eyes were focussed on the title fight in the higher class where championship leader Ashwin Dutta, missed the title by a whisker. The Formula LGB 4 season provided all the thrills and even the last race to decide the winner proved to be a thriller till the last corner of the last lap. But all the chaos and mechanical hiccups were a heartbreak for Ashwin Datta. In a fight between two Dark Don teammates, both from Chennai, Datta began the day with brake issues and logged zero points in Race 1 in the morning yielding much ground to Sandeep.

    The loss was a double whammy as he had to start from the back of the grid for the 12th and final race of the season, which saw the formation lap run for three times before the race was restarted. Ashwin lost his focus and in a melee at the first corner, he was forced to retire after contact with other cars, leaving his teammate from Dark Don in best position to win the championship.

    Sandeep, the 28-year advocate, brought to the fore all his vast experience and played it cool. The 2012 Scirocco cup awardee, who spent two years in Europe, thus gained his first National Championship title, taking second in the final race. He logged 66 points to Ashwin’s 63.Vishnu Prasad, was third with 54 points.

    “I kept my cool and did my job. The final standings have to be tabulated,” said Sandeep.

    Meanwhile, teen sensation Amir Sayed won the Novice Cup. “I enjoyed myself and it was fun driving in this championship. I am happy to win the title,” said Amir, who logged 120 points with an all-win record.

    He was extremely happy to be crowned champion but kept his emotions in check. There was no undue celebration and even on the podium, he was well in control. “It has been a very thrilling and satisfying championship for me,” said Amir.

    Amir, who had started from Karting, is a debutant in the racing championship. He talks about the transition, “I spent a lot of time with Vishnu Prasad on the tracks in Chennai and Coimbatore. He has mentored and guided me and that is why I could do well in this championship,” added Amir. The obvious plan for the next seasons for Amir would be to shift gears and move to the higher category.

    Provisional Race Results: Formula LGB 4 (Race 4 -14 laps): 1. Mohamed Ryan – MSport – 20:21.929; 2. Vishnu Prasad – MSport – 20:23.545; 3. Arya Singh- Dark Don Racing – 20:25.170.

    Race 5 (15 laps): 1. Diljith TS –Dark Don Racing- 23:58.426; 2. Sandeep Kumar A – Dark Don Racing – 23:58.890; 3. Sarosh Hataria – Ahura Racing – 23:59.793

    Race 6: (15 laps): 1. Vishnu Prasad- MSport –21:01.907; 2. Mohamed Ryan – Msport –21:07.490; 3. Sarish Hatarai – Ahura Racing – 21:14.292.

    JK Tyre Novice Cup: Race 5 (10 laps): 1. Amir Sayed- MSport – 14:17.157; 2. Chetan Surineni – Momentum Motorsports – 14:31.672; 3. Aman Chaudhary- DTS Racing – 14:32.509;

    Race 6 (10 laps): 1. Amir Sayed- MSport – 16:34.084; 2. Chetan Surineni- Momentum Motorsports- 16:56.452; 3. Neym Rizvi- MSport- 17:01.933;

    Overall Championship Standings:

    LGB Formula 4

    1. Champion: Sandeep Kumar, Dark Don Racing –66 points;

    2. Ashwin Datta, Dark Don Racing –63 points;

    3. Vishnu Prasad, MSport –54 points

    Novice Cup

    1. Champion: Amir Sayed, Msport – 120 points;

    2. Dhruvin Gajjar, DTS Racing –49 points;

    3. Aman Chaudhary, DTS Racing –46 points.

    Ladies Class

    1. Champion: Anushriya Gulati, Ahura Racing;

    2. Mir Erda;

    3. Phoebe Nongrum.

    Rookie Class

    1. Champion: Anushriya Gulati, Ahura Racing, 77 points.

    eom/JKtyre release/updated 14mar21

  • Hemanth Muddappa bags two golds for 7th National drag title; 4th year in a row

    Hemanth Muddappa bags two golds for 7th National drag title; 4th year in a row

    Chennai, 24 January 2021: Multiple National champion Hemanth Muddappa of Mantra Racing was in his elements once again winning both the gold in the top-two categories as he emerged as a deserving National Champion for the 4th successive year, in the second and final round of the MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Drag Championship at the MMRT in Chennai on Sunday. Promoters Madras Motor Sports Club successfully concluded the Drag Nationals 2020 under strict bio-bubble.

    Touching speeds of 205.65kmph, the 31-year old Bengaluru-based rider, who is passionate about fitness, won the above 1051cc class with ease clocking 7.879seconds for a course of 302-metres astride a BMW, beating Baba Satagopan (8.263) to second and convincingly defeated darkhorse Hafizullah Khan who ended up third with a time of 8.362 as the fight fizzled out to a one-man show. Tuned by Sharan Pratap, who continued the legacy of popular Pratap Jayaram, Hemanth was astride a Black BMW and soon celebrated with a custom-made helmet and champion T-shirt, as he bagged his 7th National Drag title in four years.

    In the 850 to 1050cc class, the hardworking Coorgi, Hemanth Muddappa was on a green Hayabusa clocking 8.071 for his second gold of the day. Zubair Ali Jung came second in 8.202sec while Baba Satagopan was third in 8.306sec.

    All five champions of the National Drag Championship which concluded on at MMSC Sunday.

    Hemanth won the National Drag Championship in the Feature race of Unrestricted Foreign Open class in the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 besides winning the top-two classes above 1051cc and 850to1050cc in 2018 and two more gold in the same classes today to make it his 7th National title. The Feature event, Unrestricted Foreign Open was not run this year. “Winning can be an excellent form of motivation for a time, but the drive to be just a little bit better every single day can make you unstoppable,’’ said Hemanth Muddappa, who is celebrating with his team and tuner Sharan Pratap, who says, “It is hardwork throughout the year. For this one day and two races, we prepare the whole year.’’

    In other classes, J Bharat Raj clocked 14.420 to win the gold in the 4stroke 165cc category beating PM Soorya to second and R Aravind Ganesh took third place. In the 361 to 55cc, former Racing champion Karthik Mateti of Hyderabad won the National title edging out Aiyaz while Thulsi Ram took third. In the 226 to 360cc class, PM Soorya too had a close finish over J Bharat Raj to win the National title. Shankar Guru took third place.

    National champions 2020:

    Hemanth Muddappa (Mantra Racing, Above 1051cc and 851-1050cc);

    Aiyaz (Pvt, 361-550cc and 131-165cc);

    J Bharath Raj (Rulexx Rockers Racing, Up to 165cc, 226-360cc);

    Ann Jennifer (Sparks Racing, Girls).

    2-Stroke: Aiyaz (131-165cc); Mohammed Rafiq (2S, Up to 130cc).

    Provisional Unudited Results (Final run):

    4stroke: Above 1051cc: 1. Hemanth Muddappa (Mantra Racing- 7.879seconds); 2. Baba Satagopan (8.263); 3. Hafizullah Khan (8.362);

    4Stroke: 851 to 1050cc: 1. Hemanth Muddappa (8.071); 2. Zubair Ali Jung (8.202); 3. Baba Satagopan (8.306);

    4stroke: 165cc: 1. J Bharat Raj (14.420); 2. PM Soorya (14.462); 3. R Aravind Ganesh (14.526);

    4stroke: 361 to 550cc: 1. Karthik Mateti (12.325); 2. Aiyaz (12.360); 3. Thulsi Ram (12.447);

    4stroke: 226 to 360cc: 1. PM Soorya (12,532); 2. J Bharat Raj (12.536); 3. Shankar Guru A (13.166).

  • Maya Weug, first woman driver to join Ferrari Academy

    Maya Weug, first woman driver to join Ferrari Academy

    Maranello, 22 January 2021 – 16 year-old Maya Weug is about to make history with Ferrari. The Dutch girl, born in Spain, with a Belgian mother and a Dutch father, is the first woman driver to join the Ferrari Driver Academy. Maya outshone the other girls at the evaluation camp which took place last week at the Scuderia headquarters in Maranello, as the final stage of the FIA “Girls on Track-Rising Stars” programme. The initiative was set up by the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, in conjunction with the FDA. It aims to promote women in motor sport and support the most talented young girls between the ages of 12 and 16 on the road to a career as a professional driver.

    Potential. The four girls – Weug along with France’s Doriane Pin who just turned 17 and the Brazilians, Antonella Bassani, 14, and Julia Ayoub, 15 – were fully immersed in Academy life and underwent a series of tests to assess not only their pure speed, but also their potential, a key factor for the FDA experts, given how young the candidates are. 

    Passion. Maya inherited her passion for motor sport from her father, tried a kart for the first time at the age of seven and fell in love with it. For Christmas in 2011, she was given a kart of her own and from then on, nothing could keep her away from racing. She reckons she is very determined and loves the adrenalin rush that comes from racing. She also says she puts her heart into everything she does, trying to learn and improve all the time. Her favourite driver is of course a former FDA talent: the current Scuderia Ferrari driver, Charles Leclerc. 

    Next step. Weug was told she had won the FIA “Girls on Track – Rising Stars” competition at a final event with everyone linked in remotely, including all four finalists and Scuderia Ferrari Sporting Director, Laurent Mekies; the President of the Women in Motorsport Commission, Michèle Mouton; the FIA Social Responsibility Programmes Manager, Barbara Silva and the Head of FDA Marco Matassa. The announcement was broadcast on-line on the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission and the Ferrari Driver Academy social media channels. Maya will therefore be back in Maranello in a few days time for the start of the 2021 academic year. Awaiting her is a busy training programme, which includes taking part in one of the F4 Championships Certified by FIA. 

    Challenge Test. It was not easy choosing a winner, as all candidates performed extremely well. Because of this, Ferrari has decided to offer all of them a test in a 488 Challenge EVO, a car that puts out over 700 horsepower and is used in the famous Ferrari Challenge. The one-make series runs globally with championships organised on three continents, Europe, North American and Asia-Pacific, with a regional one in Great Britain. 

    Another competition. The first edition of the FIA “Girls on Track – Rising Stars” has only just come to an end, but entries will be soon open again for the second one on the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission portal. The procedure thus starts over, with four new female candidates eventually coming to Maranello, to fight for a place as the second young girl to join the Ferrari Driver Academy.

    Jean Todt, FIA president said: “This is an important moment in Maya Weug’s career, and I extend my warmest congratulations to all four drivers who reached this final selection. The FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars programme is key to our commitment to supporting gender diversity in our sport. I would like to thank Ferrari Driver Academy all our partners who have joined us in embracing such an innovative and positive initiative.”

    This is a key moment in the history of Scuderia Ferrari and its Academy, the FDA, set up in 2019 to shape the drivers of the future for our Formula 1 team. Now, thanks to the partnership with the FIA in the “Girls on Track-Rising Stars” programme, for the first time, a female driver will join the Ferrari Driver Academy. She is Maya Weug and over the course of this year, she will progress along with us and also take part in one of the F4 Championships Certified by FIA, the category seen as the first step in single-seaters on the road to Formula 1. Maya’s arrival is a clear indication of the Scuderia’s commitment to making motorsport increasingly inclusive, in line with the hashtag supported by the entire Formula 1 community, #weraceasone.
    This project is therefore a new element to mark the start the year for the FDA, which is proving to be a great success: five of its 19 students have made it to Formula 1 and four of them, 20% of the entire grid, will be racing this coming season in the top level of motorsport.

  • Ann Jennifer, Rafiq, Aiyaz win National Drag titles

    Ann Jennifer, Rafiq, Aiyaz win National Drag titles

    Chennai, 23 January 2021: Ann Jennifer won the National Championship in the 4stroke Girls Class on Saturday with Nivetha Jessice second, and Czimkhy third in the girls class of the Indian National Motorcycle Drag Racing National Championship 2020 here at MMRT on Saturday.

    Mohammed Rafiq won the 2 stroke upto 130cc class National title with Mohammed Touheed and Mujahid Pash coming second and third, respectively. Aiyaz clinched the National crown in 131cc to 165cc category with Mohammed Touheed taking runners-up in this category too, and Manoj Kumar S finishing second runner-up.

    “”I am so glad to get my maiden drag title which is the second discipline in motorsports after my two National titles in Racing championship. So I feel proud to get the award which I missed by a whisker last year. I thank my family, my tuner Mr. Ravi and my sponsors Yamaha Motor India, Motul, Monster Energy, Bisleri for supporting me when I needed them most,” said a delighted Ann Jennifer, who won the Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship for girls in the Stock category in 2018 and 2020.

    Meanwhile, multiple National Drag champion Hemanth Mudappa, who completed a hat-trick of tiles in 2019, will be gunning for his sixth title on Sunday. The 31-year, Bangalore-based fitness trainer, representing Mantra Racing and tuned by Sharan Pratap, is taking part in two top categories of 851to 1050cc and 1051cc & above class in the absence of feature event of Foreign Open unrestricted class this year.

    Ann Jennifer wins her maiden National Drag Championship 2020 for girls. She also won the National Racing Championship in 2018 & 2020 in Girls’ class. Photo by Srinivasa Krishnan

    Results: Finals Run:

    2Stroke up to 165cc: 1. Bike #27 Aiyaz 12.959 seconds (Reaction Time 1.257sec); 2. #48 Mohammed Touheed 13.220 (0.931); 3. #31 Kaleem Pasha 13.224 (1.203). Total who took the start: 25 riders.

    2Stroke up to 130cc: 1. #12 Mohammed Rafiq 13.200 (1.265); 2. #18 Mujahid Pasha 13.452 (1.440); 3. #16 Mohammed Touheed 13.687 (0.933); Total who took the start:

    4Stroke 165cc Girls: 1. #5 Ann Jennifer 16.858 (1.025); 2. RV Czimkhy 17.077 (1.198); 3. Niveth Jessica 17.156 (1.452). Only five riders took the start.

    Championship Table: Girls: 1. AS Ann Jennifer (Sparks Racing) ; 2. #1 Nivetha Jessica (Team ProSpeed Racing); 3. #3 RV Czimkhy (Sparks Racing).

    2stroke upto 130 cc: 1. Mohammed Rafiq 50 points (13.200 fastest time); 2. #18 Mujahid Pasha; 3. Mohammed Touheed 13.687; (1.440).

    2Stroke 131 to 165cc: 1. Aiyaz (37 points); 2. Mohammed Touheed (33 points); 3. Manoj Kumar S (26 points);

  • Hemanth Mudappa looking to clinch sixth National title

    Hemanth Mudappa looking to clinch sixth National title

    Chennai, 23 January 2021: Multiple National Drag champion Hemanth Mudappa, who completed a hat-trick of tiles in 2019, will be gunning for his sixth title as the Indian National Motorcycle Drag Championship concludes with the second and final round at Madras Motor Sport Track near here at Irungattukottai on Sunday.

    The 31-year, Bangalore-based rider passionate about fitness, representing Mantra Racing and tuned by Sharan Pratap, won the first Drag National in 2017 winning the Unrestricted Foreign Open class, the feature race, and went on to win the same class in 2018 and 2019 for a hat-trick of titles. In 2018, he also became National champion in the 851 to 1050cc class and the 1051cc & above class for a total of five National titles till last year. However, in the absence of the Feature Race this year, he is raring to go, to win gold in both the top two classes he entered, and is gunning to beat his own Drag National record for 302 metres. He needs to beat 7.922 to win the 851 class, even if he wins the gold to break the tie with Riyaz and clinch the championship in 851cc class. Hemanth who set the National record of 7.976 in 2019 Round 2, broke it in the first round of 2020 on Oct 11 clocking 7.783. And a National record on Sunday will be a big bonus. He is also in line for the Gold in 1051cc and above class.

    Meanwhile, Ann Jennifer won the National Championship in the 4stroke Girls Class on Saturday with Nivetha Jessice second, and Czimkhy third. Mohammed Rafiq won the 2 stroke upto 130cc class National title with Mohammed Touheed and Mujahid Pash coming second and third, respectively. Aiyaz clinched the National crown in 131cc to 165cc category with Mohammed Touheed taking runners-up in this category too, and Manoj Kumar S finishing second runner up in the National championship in this class.

    On Sunday, five more classes will be held in the final round as the 2020 Championship is completed successfully under bio-bubble due to Covid19 by promoter Madras Motor Sports Club under the aegis of Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI). The 2w and 4w National Racing Championships already concluded on time in 2020.

  • Ogier climbs from 5th to take the lead: Friday at Rallye Monte Carlo

    Ogier climbs from 5th to take the lead: Friday at Rallye Monte Carlo

    Elfyn Evans led Rallye Monte-Carlo after Friday’s second leg – but the Welshman was under severe pressure from angry FIA World Champion Sébastien Ogier.

    Evans held a 7.4sec advantage over his Toyota Yaris team-mate, but Ogier is looming large in Evans’ rear mirror after a stunning recovery from a puncture which cost him the lead.

    With the brake problem that hindered him yesterday resolved, Ogier was imperious on the French Alps roads near Gap to win all three morning speed tests and climb from fifth to first.

    His 11.3sec advantage over Evans was wiped out after he spun and ended this afternoon’s opening test with his front left wheel on the rim. He plunged to third, 23.4sec adrift, but the frustrated Frenchman bounced back to regain 16.0sec by winning the final test.

    Ogier’s recovery was remarkable as he drove that last stage with an unbalanced mix of three Pirelli winter tyres and one studded tyre on his Yaris.

    Conditions changed all day, making tyre choice complicated. A morning mix of damp roads and ice gave way to persistent rain and mud this afternoon.

    Evans was never outside the top three times, and won the penultimate test, but a damaged wheel meant he drove the final stage with the same unbalanced tyre mix as Ogier. He was sixth fastest.

    Leg 1 leader Ott Tänak was 17.5sec further back in third. The Estonian’s Hyundai i20 lost power in this morning’s tight hairpins and he was powerless to repel Ogier’s charge into second in the final stage when his windows misted up.

    Fourth-placed Kalle Rovanperä made it three Yaris cars in the top four, the Finn 53.1sec behind Evans. He took the lead in the morning’s opening test but a mix of worsening road conditions and a 10sec penalty for arriving late at SS4 dropped him down the order.

    He slid into a field early in the penultimate test but recovered to demote Thierry Neuville to fifth in the closing stage. Just 6.0sec split the duo, Neuville enjoying a better afternoon after toiling this morning with a poor tyre choice.

    Team-mate Dani Sordo competed the top six another 50.5sec back. He had little confidence in his car’s handling after making the same tyre selection error as Neuville, but a more balanced choice this afternoon rejuvenated the Spaniard.

    FIA WRC2 leader Andreas Mikkelsen was seventh in a Skoda Fabia, ahead of Takamoto Katsuta’s Yaris. Mikkelsen’s class rival Adrien Fourmaux was ninth in a Ford Fiesta ahead of Gus Greensmith’s World Rally Car version, the Briton all at sea in the tough conditions.

    Pierre-Louis Loubet retired after crashing his i20 heavily into a rock face under braking for a harpin in the final stage.

    In FIA WRC3, Yohan Rossel fended off stiff opposition during Friday’s second leg at Rallye Monte-Carlo to end the day with a slender 6.8sec class advantage over Yohann Bonato. Nicolas Ciamin is third to complete an all Citroën C3, all French provisional podium overnight.

    Saturday brings another early start with La Bréole – Selonnet launching the day in darkness at 06.30. Saint Clément – Freissinières precedes the final service in Gap, before a repeat of the opening test starts the long journey south to Monaco after 57.10km of competition.

  • Pune’s Ibrahim crowned champ in pro-class Indian eRacing

    Pune’s Ibrahim crowned champ in pro-class Indian eRacing

    Mumbai, 20 Jan 2021: Pune’s Muhammad Ibrahim was crowned champion in the Pro Class, while Gurgaon’s Amitesh Rao bagged the Junior Class Title in the Mumbai Falcons Indian eRacing Championship in association with Volkswagen Motorsport India.

    300+ registrations from over 40 cities were received for Season 4 of the Mumbai Falcons IeRC. The introduction of new classes, were a big boost to participation. Delhi’s Muskaan Jubbal won the Women’s class while Akunuri Sri Abilash from Chennai, and Kollam’s Steve George won a race each in the Amateur Class.

    Muhammed Ibrahim, bagged Pole Position and went on to win both races, in the last round of the Pro Class, to establish himself as India’s best eRacer. The Kuala Lampur based 18 year old was a class apart winning 12 races of 16. He amassed a total of 683 points to comfortably finish ahead of Chennai’s Sai Prithvi (542 points) & Amith Kutti (451 points). Niranjan Kumar & Raiden Samervel completed the top five.

    The final round of the Pro saw Sai Sanjay finish second in Race 1 ahead of Prithvi, Kutti & Michigan based Ujjwal Belwarier. The top 12 reverse grid saw Prithvi finish second ahead of Ooty’s Niranjan Kumar, followed by Rohit Raut (Pune) & Swaraj Yada (Navi Mumbai).

    Amitesh Rao, won the last race of the Junior Class followed by Ritesh Rai (Chennai), Prasanna Rajan (Vellore), Navneet Kumar (Bengaluru), and Siddharth Snehl (Ranchi). Rao’s final round victory took him to 258 points to narrowly earn him the title ahead of Pune’s Aditya’s Iyer on 248 points. Rai, Munich based Garvit Agarwal & Mumbai’s Veer Sheth completed the top five in the Junior Championship.

    60+ registrations were received for the inaugural Women’s class. Delhi’s Muskaan Jubbal won ahead of Mumbai’s Kushagri Khare & Bangalore’s Renukaa Gajendran.

    It is good to see such a good response to the newly introduced classes. Mumbai Falcons is expanding into growing motorsport in India on multiple levels & we are confident that eRacing will continue to bring new talent into the sport. Said Moid Tungekar CEO of Mumbai Falcons who have just launched an all Indian F3 team to participate in the Asian F3 Championship.

    Ibrahim wins a day’s testing in a Volkswagen Race Car, while other winners win training programs & kart racing entries.

    “It’s fantastic to see moving from eRacing into real world racing, a formal step that many are considering. We are thankful to Mumbai Falcons, Volkswagen for the continuous support over multiple seasons & to Red Bull, Gamer Connect who have just joined us.” Said Rayomand Banajee, 8 Time National Champion & founder – IR eSports, who are the organisers of the Mumbai Falcons Indian eRacing Championship in association with Volkswagen Motorsport India.

    Season 5 is due to start in April with the addition of more classes.

  • BRDC British F3 to run 2021 calendar from May to October

    London, 19 Jan 2020: The BRDC British Formula 3 Championship’s 2021 calendar has been amended, and will now run from May to October, to help ensure that a full, 24-race schedule can run across eight meetings.

    Britain’s leading single-seater series will continue to run in tandem with the British GT Championship at seven of the eight meetings, despite the changes to the calendar. 

    Oulton Park’s triple-header, originally scheduled for Easter, will now take place on 11/12 September, with Donington Park’s second round moving to 16/17 October to accommodate the Cheshire circuit’s switch. 

    Snetterton’s round is the other to move, shifting to 7/8 August. No other dates have changed on the updated calendar, with the season set to launch on 22/23 May on the full Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit.

    The championship’s two visits to Silverstone, the overseas fixture at Spa-Francorchamps, and the earlier summer round at Donington Park will all remain on the original dates as previously announced.

    In the meantime, many of the championship’s competitors will take to the virtual track in this year’s recently announced British F3 iRacing Championship, which will run throughout February.

    Revised 2021 BRDC British Formula 3 Championship Calendar*

    22/23 May – Brands Hatch GP
    26/27 June – Silverstone GP
    10//11 July – Donington Park GP
    24/25 July – Spa
    7/8 August – Snetterton 300**
    14/15 August – Silverstone GP (standalone MSVR round)
    11/12 September – Oulton Park**
    16/17 October – Donington Park**

    *please note, the 2021 BRDC British F3 Championship calendar remains provisional and subject to change
    ** date changed from original announcementFor more information about BRDC British F3, please visit www.britishf3.com.

  • Team MRF Tyres on the Podium at Arctic Lapland Rally

    Team MRF Tyres on the Podium at Arctic Lapland Rally

    Team MRF Tyres successfully secured a podium position at the Arctic Lapland Rally, a round of the Finnish National Championship with Emil Lindholm and Mikael Korhonen taking third position.

    The final day of the rally started with a monster 42km test with temperatures dipping to     -8 degrees Celsius and loose snow making the conditions quite tough. Both the Team MRF Tyres crews tamed the conditions with Lindholm/Korhonen finishing second on stage, five seconds off the stage winner Juha Salo/Mikko Markkula. The average pace of the MRF Tyres duo was 132km/h. The final three stages saw tough conditions on stage with loose snow making the conditions unpredictable. Despite this, Lindholm/Korhonen took a second and two fourth places on stage to cement their podium place

    Emil Lindholm, Driver, Skoda Fabia evo Rally2, said, ““This is one of the great rallies in Europe. The Arctic Lapland Rally is one of the most traditional winter rallies in the rally world, and to achieve a podium place an amazing achievement. The MRF snow and ice tyres worked perfectly in on the long freezing stages which featured a lot of snow and ice. The weather on the route continued to change and it was hard to predict. Sometimes there was more snow on the road, sometimes it was just a heavy ice base. It made a fast rally even more challenging.”

    The other MRF Tyres crew of Niclas Grönholm/Antti Linnaketo took sixth on the stage, proving that both cars could fight for the top positions. Niclas Grönholm, Driver, Volkswagen Polo GTi R5 said, “It is great to have 2 cars with MRF Tyres inside the top 10. We were trying to find the right setup and gain more pace. Today the car felt better. The stages were in good conditions but there was a lot of loose snow and it was very challenging. Overall, we are happy!”

    Grönholm/Linnaketo finished inside the top 10 on each stage, taking advantage of the conditions and the struggles of those around them. In the end they finished in sixth.

    The major story, however, was Lindholm and Korhonen’s podium. One year on from the debut of MRF’s snow and ice tyre, where Craig Breen/Paul Nagle secured a podium, the competitive nature of the tyre was confirmed. MRF Tyres’ venture into Europe is designed to develop and create the next generation of tyre to prove competitiveness in the toughest of conditions. 

    This result helps to prove that MRF Tyres can successfully take the fight to rally stages around the world. While MRF Tyres’ European rally plans are still to be announced, Lindholm/Korhonen will be out for the next round of the Finnish Rally Championship, the SM O.K. Auto-Ralli from Kouvola on 5-6 February.