INDIA in F1

Category: General

  • Jamie Chadwick, Andreas Estner win

    Jamie Chadwick, Andreas Estner win

    • Max Defourny extends lead in MRF Challenge

    Sakhir (Bahrain), December 7: Belgium’s Max Defourny continued his podium run as he scored a win and two second-place finishes in the three races of the MRF Challenge held here today at the Bahrain International Circuit.

    The 20-year old Defourny was second to Germany’s Andreas Estner in the day’s first race and later finished behind winner Jamie Chadwick (UK) in the next before ending the day with a win in the third.

    Having finished on the podium in all the eight races of the championship, organised by the Madras Motor Sports Club, including five in the first round at Dubai last month, Defourny consolidated his position on the leaderboard with 173 points, ahead of Chadwick (129). Two more races are scheduled for Saturday.

    Defourny said: “It could or rather, should have been better this week. After qualifying for pole position last night, I made a mistake in the first race today and finished second. In the next race, I got hit from behind at Turn-1 when one of the competitors (Danial Frost of Singapore) spun. There was some damage to the car and I managed to finish second. In the third race today, after we repaired the visual damage to the car, there was a lot of vibration in the left rear, but I managed to pull away to win.”

    Defourny was at his best in Race-3 which he started from pole position and won quite comfortably despite the vibrations, while Estner came in second followed by Patrik Pasma from Finland.

    The damage to Defourny’s car was the result of a collision before Turn-1 immediately after the Race-2 start between reverse-grid pole-sitter Petr Ptacek (Czech Republic) and Singapore’s Danial Frost. The incident allowed Chadwick, who had started third, to get a jump on the pack, leaving Dylan Young (Australia) and Defourny to scrap for second and third spots. The Belgian finally moved past the Aussie, but by then, Chadwick was long gone. The trio held position to the finish. For Chadwick, it was her maiden win in the championship after three second places in Dubai round.

    Earlier, the Race-1 was much closer than the results might suggest. Andreas Estner had a good start and rocketed past pole-sitter Defourny who messed up by dropping the revs which pushed him to third behind Chadwick, who, in turn, was later passed by Frost. Further back, there was hectic scramble for track positions, but was incident-free. Defourny managed to close down on Estner, but the German teenager had sufficient lead to take the flag for his second win in the championship.

    Andreas Estner said: “It was pretty good. Had a good start and caught the leader. In the first few laps, I was able to pull a big gap. In the end, Defourny was a bit faster than me as my tyres wore out, but I managed to hold him off.”

    Defourny said: “The race was quite bad to be honest. I had a bad start as I came too low in the revs, dropped to third, but passed (Jamie) Chadwick. By that time, Andreas had opened a gap. I struggled a bit, but in the end, I came back quite a lot. However, I never managed to get close enough without attacking. I did not want to take risks, keeping in mind the championship.”

    The results (all 10 laps):

    Race-1: 1. Andreas Estner (Germany) (Best Lap 02:00.792); 2. Max Defourny (Belgium) (BL 02:00.452); 3. Danial Frost (Singapore) (BL 02:00.865).

    Race-2: 1. Jamie Chadwick (UK) (BL 02:00.974); 2, Max Defourny (Belgium) (BL 02:01.082); 3. Dylan Young (BL 02:01.734).

    Race-3: 1. Max Defourny (Belgium) (BL 02:01.039); 2. Andreas Estner (Germany) (BL 02:01.499); 3. Patrik Pasma (Finland) (BL 02:01.873).

    Qualifying: 1. Max Defourny (Belgium) (02:00.248); 2. Andreas Estner (Germany) (02:00.466); 3. Jamie Chadwick (UK) (02:00.885).

  • Abemo Yanthan was adjudged Best Spotter: JK Tyre Hornbill off-road Cup

    Abemo Yanthan was adjudged Best Spotter: JK Tyre Hornbill off-road Cup

    Champions of JK Tyre Hornbill Cup. An INDIAinF1 photo

    Kohima, 5 Dec 2018: Aviu Rutsa along with co-driver Neiketoulie Meyase, and Rudkuobetvo along with Pete cracked the testing mountain terrain of Kohima to emerge victors in the JK Tyre Hornbill Off-Roading Cup here on Tuesday.

    Yanger Lushang / Maken Lepden and Bento Swu / Bovito Kiho came second while Ikweithing (Justin) / Kenrak Thou and Irietui / Elu took the third place in the 1.5-km course that comprised six gruelling challenges and obstacles.

    Each team comprises of two cars, manned by a driver and a co-driver, to help each other tackle the various obstacles together.

    Abemo Yanthan was adjudged Best Spotter while Aviu Rutsa added another feather to his cap by winning the best off-road rig as well.

    It is the first time that the off-road event has been added to the annual JK Tyre Hornbill Motor Rally which is in its ninth year of existence.

    The rally coincides with the famous Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, a seven-day extravaganza of cultural performances, ethnic food courts, handlooms and handicrafts bazaars, film and art festivals, fashion shows and a national rock contest.

    Earlier on Monday, defending champion Gagan Sethi and co-driver Sabatullah Khan stole the show in the picturesque hills by winning the TSD rally spread over 55 kilometres.

    The rally coincided with the World War 2 Peace Rally, to pay homage to the martyrs of the Battle of Kohima.

     

  • Ebrahim steps down, Prithviraj elected president again: FMSCI

    Ebrahim steps down, Prithviraj elected president again: FMSCI

    J Prithviraj of CASC, who is elected as the new President of FMSCI. File photo

    Chennai, 21 Nov 2018: Another era comes to an end in the administration of the Motorsports in India as Akbar Ebrahim stepped down as the President of the Federation of Motorsports Clubs of India (FMSCI) here at its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, the 20th of November.

    J Prithiviraj representing Coimbatore Auto Sports Club was unanimously elected as President while Shivu Shivappa of Karnataka Motor Sports Club, was elected as Vice-President for a term of one year. Prithviraj was earlier the president of the governing body of motorsports in India in 2014.

    The following governing council members were also elected during the AGM: Vicky Chandhok (MMSC), Farokh Commissariat (IARC), Ms Sita Raina (CMSC), Akbar Ebrahim (Meco MS), Arindam Ghosh (RRPM), Farooq  Ahmed (MSCC), B Vijaykumar (Spitfire MS) and Sanjay Sharma (PCRT).

    Fifty-eight-year-old Prithiviraj, the dynamic fountainhead of the highly active club in the home of Indian motorsports Coimbatore, takes over from Akbar Ebrahim, who led FMSCI for the last two years, igniting the sport in the country and setting an ambitious agenda for the future.

    The new council including the president and vice-president, which has been increased from eight to 10, vowed to carry forward the good work of the outgoing president, promising to create more platforms for the youth in the country and adding new championships and verticals in all its disciplines.

    “This is a proud moment for FMSCI. We all have a common goal now and I am sure this powerful council can do wonders to motorsports in the country,” newly-elected president Prithiviraj said.

    ends

  • Indian drag racers `Sonu’ SS Sokhi, Amit Sharma backed by Elite Octane excel at global stage

    Indian drag racers `Sonu’ SS Sokhi, Amit Sharma backed by Elite Octane excel at global stage

    Hyderabad duo excels at world finals in the ManCup Motorcycle drag races in the US. An Elite Octane Inc. image

    By David Bodapati

    Bangalore, 24 Nov 2018: Touching speeds of over 240 kmph, Indian riders Sonu Sundeep Singh Sokhi and Amit Sharma excelled with top-class performance without much seat-time on powerful machines, and still managed to bring unprecedented laurels for the country in the Manufacturers Cup, presented by Vance & Hines, popularly known as Man Cup Motorcycle Drag Race held at South Georgia Motorsports Park from November 16 to 18 in Valdosta of Georgia in America.

    Roy Johnson from Farmville, Virginia (US) won the event and Stanley Russell of Georgia, US, came thousandth of a second ahead of Sonu. As is the wont, the drag racing’s ruthless differences in demoting ranks, the inexperienced Indian still was worth every millisecond in gold. Sonu clocked 9.503 seconds to the tie of the top-two at 9.502.

    Due to the weather conditions changing, everyone picked up a few seconds and Sonu clocked 9.2sec in his final run which was war quicker than the category index.
    Amit was no less in another tough category. “It is indeed an amazing performance by the two fastest Indians. Sundeep Singh Sokhi’s performance was just brilliant. It is certainly not an easy task and that too in the very first experience at this level. Amit was no less by any means when he represented in another tough category with an index of 8.90 sec with a strong field of 64 racers. Undaunted, he was blisteringly quick. It’s been a dream start and Elite Octane looks forward to extending such platforms for creating many more great moments in future with the support of Rickey Gadson Drag Racing School. From Valley Run (Aamby Valley City, India) to World Finals in the USA – it has truly been an amazing journey,” revealed Rongom Tagore Mukerji, Director, Elite Octane Inc.
    The Indian rider, an expert drag racer but without much international exposure, still topped the speeds touching a speed of 243.445 kmph which no one could reach in the world finals but had to settle for a third. Still it was a great achievement and the credit should also go to the team behind him which persisted and put everything together despite the extreme odds in a country, which does not give the importance it deserves for Drag Racing, which became a part of National Racing Championship only a couple of years back after Akbar Ebrahim took over the mantle of FMSCI, the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs in India, the governing body of Motorsports in the country.
    Sonu (centre), celebrates. A High Octane image

    Run along with the 42nd annual Mann Hill Garage event, the Hyderabad duo representing India in their first-ever World Finals put in an extremely good show with Sokhi qualifying third out of 35 bikes in the Street Fighter class and made it to the eight-bike final.

    Meanwhile, another superlative performance from Amit Sharma saw him clock India’s fastest drag racing time-slip of a stunning 8.87 seconds, but could only manage to the last-16 stage astride a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14Rs in the Seasoned Racers class which had 64 in the fray.

    Supported by Elite Octane, the South Indian duo was fortunate to train at the Rickey Gadson Drag School which offers a drag-prepped surface that sprays a custom-formulated resin that acts as glue for tyres to offer phenomenal grip and the safety that comes with the package. Multiple World Drag champion Rickey Gadson was impressed by the Indians’ skills at the Valley Run at Amby Valley. before saying okay to recruit them.

    High Octane, the team behind the success of Sonu Sundeep Singh Sokhi and Amit Sharma have saluted the “Fastest Indians” for their commitment and dedication to the World’s Fastest Sport.

    Sokhi a picture of concentration before the start: Photo courtesy Elite Octane Inc.

    “All odds were against the duo, as the Indian riders never raced on a Drag Prepped Surface, and had not been used to the Power of the machines which they could lay their hands on, for only two days of training under Rickey Gadson Drag School.

    “That’s a tough ask for anyone to perform with such seasoned racers. But they did it in style and beat the best in the World and earned their respect on a world stage,” said Mukerji.

    The social media was abuzz as the drag giants did the country proud and hashtag #GlobalPlatform showcasing their achievements in the Man Cup achievement was all over. The High Octane team can be followed on twitter  @TheValleyRun ‏and FB @EliteOctane . Other Twitter tags that ran during the event include #WorldFinals #IndianDragRacers #worldisyourplayground #EliteOctane #RickeyGadson #ManCup #DragRacing #rgdrs

    There were over 800 participants from and racers who have more than 20 years of experience competed from all over the world.

    Amit Sharma becomes the `Fastest Indian Rider’ in India’s drag racing history when he stopped the clock at 8.87sec in his class. He earned his way to the last-16 in a seasoned racers class of 64 entries.

    Elite Octane’s initiative has opened a doorway for India Racers to perform at the highest level in the “World Fastest Sport – Drag Racing”. The initiate which started at `The Valley Run 2017′ at Amby Valley saw multiple world champion Rickey Gadson’s hosted the first-ever Rickey Gadson Drag Racing School in India. The two Indian Racers were selected from this very group by the 11-time World Champion. “The journey from Valley Run to World Finals has been incredible and we certainly see a bright future ahead for Indian Racers,” said Rongom Tagore. Both Sonu and Amit were on Kawasaki ZX14R  which were provided by Rickey Gadson.

    You can watch the video here.

    Street Fighter Class details:

    Street Fighter is the street-bike index class contested at AMA Dragbike National events and is considered the entry point into index racing. Most bikes compete with either big displacement normal-aspirated motors to nitrous or turbocharged machines with a D.O.T street tire without the aid of wheelie bars.

    All compete with a heads-up, pro-tree start. Street Fighter is run on qualified 64 bike field, based on a standard of 9.50/6.10 index. Standard safety is a requirement. During qualifying, runs quicker than the 9.50/6.10 index will be placed at the bottom of the qualifying sheet. During eliminations, runs quicker than the standard disqualify the rider under Handicap “break-out” procedures. All entries must be self-starting. No starter carts or bump starts permitted.

    Updated with quote on 25Nov2018 at 1015am
  • Mick Schumacher to partner Sebastian Vettel on Team Germany at ROC Mexico

    Mick Schumacher to partner Sebastian Vettel on Team Germany at ROC Mexico

    File photo of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel who raced as team Germany in the past. An ROC image
    • This year’s FIA Formula 3 European Champion Mick Schumacher will compete at January’s Race Of Champions in Mexico City
    • Still just 19 years old, Schumacher will team up with four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel for Team Germany in the ROC Nations Cup
    • This will be an emotional occasion as Vettel previously partnered Mick’s  father Michael Schumacher to six consecutive ROC Nations Cup titles from 2007-2012
    • ROC Mexico will be held on January 19-20, 2019 at the Foro Sol, the iconic amphitheatre forming part of Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Formula 1 circuit, where race fans will have a perfect view from every seat
    News image

    The 2018 FIA Formula 3 European Champion Mick Schumacher will make his Race Of Champions debut on January 19-20, 2019 at the Foro Sol, the iconic amphitheatre forming part of Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Formula 1 circuit.

    Fresh from his victorious season, the 19-year-old Schumacher – son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael – will also team up with his fellow countryman Sebastian Vettel for Team Germany in the ROC Nations Cup.

    This is sure to be an occasion charged with emotion as Vettel partnered Mick’s father Michael to six consecutive ROC Nations Cup victories. The pair started their glorious run at London’s Wembley Stadium (2007-2008), followed by Beijing (2009), two wins at home in Düsseldorf (2010-2011) and a final triumph at Bangkok (2012).

    Race Of Champions

    It was the following year that Michael suffered a serious head injury. The F1 legend has stayed in the thoughts of everyone involved with the Race Of Champions, with a banner in Michael’s honour unfurled before every ROC event in the intervening years (see picture below) along with awareness and funds raised in aid of the ICM Brain and Spine Institute.

    Now Mick will bring the Schumacher family name back where it belongs, racing for glory on the track itself. As one of the trustees of Keep Fighting Foundation inspired by Michael Schumacher he will also help raise awareness of the initiative of Michael’s family wishing to continue his charitable work.

    The young Mick first raced in 2008, initially competing under his mother Corinna’s maiden name Betsch to limit the pressure of his famous surname. After a decade of racing in karts and lower formulae, this year has been his finest yet. He took no fewer than eight victories – five of them in quick succession during one stunning run at the Nürburgring and Red Bull Ring in September – en route to being crowned the FIA F3 European Champion.

    Mick now has the chance to add even more glory when he takes to the track against legends from all the major disciplines of global motor sport in identical supercars at ROC Mexico.

    Schumacher said: “I am overwhelmed that I’ve been invited to participate in the Race Of Champions as the champion of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. And I’m even more overwhelmed that I’m going to form Team Germany with Sebastian Vettel. It’s going to be tough because Sebastian is a big player in the Race Of Champions and of course I want to be a worthy team-mate for him!

    “I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to the Race Of Champions weekend, especially as it will be held in Mexico where this year’s F1 World Championship was decided and everyone has seen how much Mexican fans can party in the spectacular Foro Sol. Now the ROC weekend will be just as spectacular for me. Such a debut at such an event is simply sensational.

    “I’m honoured to enter this competition which my father always loved and in which he set the bar very high together with Sebastian. There are so many renowned drivers in action and I’m looking forward to competing against them and getting to know them better; I’m looking forward to the fun we’ll all have together and which we’ll offer for the spectators in Mexico. But of course I’ll do everything to get far in the individual event and to win the ROC Nations Cup trophy with Sebastian for Team Germany!”

    Race Of Champions

    ROC President Fredrik Johnsson added: “We can’t begin to express how thrilled we are that Mick will be racing at January’s ROC Mexico. His father Michael has been a friend of the Race Of Champions for many years, and of course his contribution both on and off the track has been immense. We continue to wish him well in his recovery, and I can’t think of a finer legacy than to have Mick racing with us for the first time.

    “Of course Mick is here entirely on merit, having shown the world what he can do all season en route to the FIA F3 European Championship. Now we are excited to see what he can do in the identical supercars at ROC Mexico. When Mick lines up with Sebastian Vettel for Team Germany in Saturday’s ROC Nations Cup, it is sure to be an emotional moment for everyone involved. Imagine the roar from the crowd if they can find a way to lift the trophy…

    “If you want to be a part of this historic occasion at Mexico City’s stunning Foro Sol, we look forward to welcoming you. See you in January!”

    The Race Of Champions is an annual contest which has a history dating back over 30 years. It brings together many of the world’s greatest drivers from motorsport’s major disciplines – including Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar, Le Mans, World Rally and RallyX – and sets them free to battle head-to-head in identical machinery.

    The Foro Sol will join a list of prestigious venues to have hosted ROC since 1988 – including Beijing’s Bird’s Nest and London’s Olympic stadiums, Stade de France in Paris, Wembley Stadium in London, Miami’s Marlins Park plus a wide range of exotic locations all over the world from Bangkok to Barbados to Riyadh.

    The event enjoys a rich record of attracting global superstars from every corner of motorsport. Formula 1 World Champions Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button have raced against NASCAR stars Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Busch brothers Kyle and Kurt, IndyCar’s Juan Pablo Montoya and Ryan Hunter-Reay, World Rally greats Sébastien Loeb, Sébastien Ogier and Colin McRae, as well as prominent figures from other classes including record Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, X Games legend Travis Pastrana plus MotoGP icons Mick Doohan, Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi.

    Race Of Champions

    Now the greats of Mexican motorsport have the chance to race some of the world’s best drivers – all in ROC’s identical machinery. The competitors will take to the track in a stunning range of supercars that have been specially prepared for ROC to push them to the absolute limit. To prevail, they will have to master this mix of machines, forcing them to adapt their driving style as they make regular switches between cars and putting all their hard-earned skills to the test.

    It makes for a thrilling spectacle, with head-to-head races often decided by fractions of a second – as the screams of the crowd compete for supremacy with the screams of the engines…

    The Race Of Champions is run over two days: first comes the ROC Nations Cup (on Saturday January 19) when drivers pair up in teams based on nationality – including the hosts Mexico – to bid for the title of ‘World’s Fastest Nation’. Then on Sunday January 20 it’s time for the Race Of Champions itself, when teamwork goes out of the window and it’s a flat-out battle for individual glory.

    But that’s not all. The Race Of Champions is a non-stop show from start to finish and also features stunt shows on four wheels and two plus DJs, cheerleaders and plenty of other entertainment to keep the race fans on the edge of their seats.
  • Torrente takes Championship lead winning the Grand Prix of India in dramatic style

    Torrente takes Championship lead winning the Grand Prix of India in dramatic style

    Amaravati (AP, India), 18 Nov 2018: Team Abu Dhabi’s Shaun Torrente capped a perfect weekend in Amaravati with a faultless drive to win the UIM F1H2O Grand Prix of India and move to the top of the world championship standings.

     Emirates Racing’s Marit Stromoy produced by far her best performance of the season to finish in second with Erik Stark making it an Abu Dhabi one-three.

     There was drama almost immediately when CTIC F1 Shenzhen China’s Philippe Chiappe crashed heavily on the start lap at the first turn, ending his title hopes with defending champion Alex Carella’s race ending almost before it began, retiring on the same lap with technical issues.

     It was disappointing afternoon for the local favourite Jonas Andersson, the Team Amaravati driver retiring after running in fourth place for 33 of the 44 lap race.

    Pole-sitter Torrente made the perfect start but would have to do it all again when the yellow flag was shown for Chiappe’s dramatic exit, the incident benefitting Stromoy who had a poor start and dropped several places but with no laps completed the boats reverted to their starting positions.

    Torrente made no mistake at the restart and took off and opened up an early lead, but for the majority of the race was unable to shake off the challenge of a very persistent Stromoy who would not let him get away, but the Abu Dhabi driver was faultless, absorbed the pressure from behind and maintained his relentless pace to complete the 44 laps and win by 2.17s to record his seventh-career victory and leapfrog his two teammates to hit the front in title race. “Marit did a wonderful job. She pushed so hard and I knew she would,” said Torrente. “I made two great starts and it was all about managing the race. For me it’s about winning the championship not just races. The goal is to be in this position after Sharjah. Our home race is next so we hope we can keep it going.”

    Stromoy’s drive to second sandwiched between the Abu Dhabi duo for the full race distance received high praise from both her rivals and was by far her best outing this year, keeping Torrente in her sights and fending off a relentless challenge from Stark. “I tried and pushed as hard as I could till the bitter end but it was a great race for me,” Stromoy said. “I had a bad start and was a bit lucky with the yellow flag but I could see Shaun was controlling things at the front and I also had to keep my eye on Erik.”

    Despite all his efforts and a near coming together with Stromoy, Stark was unable to get passed. “I was a little unlucky with the yellow because for once I made a really good start,” Stark said. “After the restart I got up beside her but she held on and after that I pushed as hard as I could but it was not enough. The podium is great but the points’ after Sharjah is what matters and we have two races to go.”

    Behind the front three it was a race of attrition with eight of the 18 starters failing to go the distance; F1 Atlantic’s Duarte Benavente retiring on lap 1 after the coming together with Chiappe and teammate Grant Trask going out on lap 13, with Thani Al Qemzi seeing his championship lead disappear with his retirement on lap 5, Cedric Deguisne’s race ending on lap 27.

    Andersson was looking strong in fourth before his exit with Peter Morin taking over the slot and running a solitary race to the chequered flag and some consolation for the CTIC China Team, with Francesco Cantando, the winner in India in 2004, picking up his best result of the year bringing his Blaze home in fifth.

    Team Amaravati’s Erik Edin produced one of the drives of the day, moving up from 18th off the pontoon to finish in sixth ahead of Mad Croc BABA Racing’s Filip Roms and Ahmed Al Hameli who was struggling with technical issues.

     It was a very good afternoon for two championship rookies, Simone Schuft and Sutthiphan Sookbuangbon both picking up there first championship points in ninth and tenth.

     With two races to go Shaun Torrente leads the championship standings on 72 points from Stark on 65 and Al Qemzi slipping to third on 54, with Morin now the closes challenger in fourth on 39 points.

     The penultimate round of the season is the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi on the 6-8 December.

     For full classifications:

    https://www.f1h2o.com/results/2018/grand-prix-of-india/f1h2o

     For championship standings:

    https://www.f1h2o.com/standings/2018/f1h2o

  • Andhra Pradesh planning to start Water Sports Academy

    Andhra Pradesh planning to start Water Sports Academy

    Nicolo di San Germano, Promoter, H2O at Vijayawada on Saturday 17th Nov 2018. Photo Tony Titus

    Amaravati (AP), 17 Nov 2018: A high-standard powerboat Racing Academy is in the offing in Andhra Pradesh and it is only a matter of time before we see Indian drivers taking part in high-performance water sports, said Nicolo di San Germano, Promoter, H2O.

    Talking on the sidelines after the official Formula One H2O driver inter-action on Saturday, the long-standing promoter allayed fears that the World Championship event on the waters of River Krishna will remain as a one-off event. “Our dream is to come back again for many years to come and if our plans go well, even many times in a year in the future. We had talks with the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and he is very keen to develop a sporting culture in Andhra Pradesh which has a huge coastline. It is not just River Krishna, we are looking at similar circuits on the beach front too,’’ added Nicolo, who has 25 years of experience running the sport worldwide. But the current round of the World Championship agreement is for one year and it is likely to enter the calendar for next year. However, it is not confirmed.

    The Academy would be for children in the age group of 8 to 12 years. It would start from basics and help those aspiring a career in this sport to take up high-performance coaching. “The sport is much cheaper organise and run than a normal level Karting championship and with beautiful rivers like Krishna and other water bodies AP is well suited to embrace the sport,’’ the promoter said.

    “Your CM not only wants to see Indian drivers in international events but one-day we want to see boats made in India take part in Indian colours. If the interest generated and the official thinking is any indication, that day is not far off,’’ he concluded.

    As Promoter, Nicolo was instrumental in his ongoing 25-year tenure in bringing stability, a new direction, improved safety and an ever-broadening geographic footprint encompassing Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia and this expansion in India is set to help a growing commercial value. The Andhra Pradesh Government through AP Tourism has pumped in Rs.140 million (Rs.14 crore) into the World Championship Round in Vijayawada, near Amaravati.

  • Splendid double for Max Defourny; Andreas Estner, Patrick Pasma win a race each; MRF Challenge

    Splendid double for Max Defourny; Andreas Estner, Patrick Pasma win a race each; MRF Challenge

    Andreas Estner (No.11) edging past Jamie Chadwick (55) on way to winning Race-3. Photo: Aditya Bedre

    Dubai, 17 Nov 2018: Five races and four winners accurately reflected the highly competitive grid of MRF Challenge as Belgium’s 20-year old Max Defourny achieved a splendid double while Andreas Estner (Germany) and Patrick Pasma (Finland) won the previous two races of the day at the Dubai Autodrome here on Saturday.

    For Defourny, the Round-1 of the MRF Challenge proved memorable as he won Race 1 and 5 apart from podium positions in the other three races. Defourny finished the Round 1 with 106 points, ahead of Great Britain’s Jamie Chadwick (78) and Singapore’s Danial Frost (70), winner of Race 2 yesterday. The MRF Challenge heads to Bahrain (Dec 6-8) for the next round before moving to Chennai (Feb 8-10) for the championship finale.

    Max Defourny. Photo: Aditya Bedre

    Defourny could have done even better, but he messed up his pole-position start in Race-3 where he lost track position by Turn-1 itself in the very first lap, but recovered to finish third. “I think, I could have done better and won a couple of more races. I made a few mistakes, but more important was that I picked up points at the start of the championship. My win in Race 5 was far more satisfying than that in Race 1. I won more comfortably and on tyres that I had used in the previous four races,” said Defourny.

    In the day’s first race, Andreas Estner, was off to a great start, moving from fourth to first as the pack dived into Turn-1, and, thereafter, literally won as he pleased as he left rest of the field, including pole-sitter Max Defourny, scrabbling for positions. While Estner disappeared into the distance, Britisher Jamie Chadwick slotted herself into P2 which she defended gamely against close attention from Defourny with the Belgian first dropping to fourth before tucking himself behind the British girl for the rest of the race.

    Race-4 was all about Pasma who made capital of his reverse grid pole-position start to open up a sizeable lead. Behind him, Defourny set a scorching pace to move from fourth to second and bore down on Pasma. In a tense battle, the Finn defended well to win while Defourny picked up his fourth podium with a second-paced finish ahead of fellow-Belgian Michelangelo Amendola.

    “The pole position gave me a lot of confidence and I managed to open up a good lead. In the last couple of laps, Max (Defourny) was close behind me, but I managed to survive,” said Pasma.

    In the fifth and final race of Round 1, it was Defourny all the way after starting from pole position and with each of the 10 laps, he increased the lead for his second win of the week by nearly 10 seconds. Meanwhile, Chadwick, the only female competitor on the grid, came through a tough midfield battle to finish a deserving second ahead of Singapore’s Danial Frost, winner of Race 1 yesterday.

    India’s Chetan Korada, though finishing way down the grid in all the five races, took some positives from the first round. “I am gradually getting used to the car and this is reflected in my ever-improving timings. I hope to have a better outing in Bahrain next month and hopefully, by the time we get to Chennai in February, I should be more competitive and fighting for mid-grid positions,” said the 32-year old Chennai-based driver competing with a prosthesis leg.

    The results (all 10 laps):

    Race-3: 1. Andreas Estner (Germany); 2. Jamie Chadwick (GBR); 3. Max Defourny (Belgium). Fastest Lap: Defourny (01:57.038). Race-4: 1. Patrick Pasma (Finland); 2. Defourny; 3. Michelangelo Amendola (Belgium). Fastest Lap: Max Defourny (01:58.729). Race-5: 1. Defourny; 2. Chadwick; 3. Danial Frost (Singapore). Fastest Lap: Jamie Chadwick (01:59.402).

     

  • Anderson qualifies 5th; Shaun takes pole: UIM F1h2o World Championship

    Anderson qualifies 5th; Shaun takes pole: UIM F1h2o World Championship

    Anderson on a flying lap which got him the P5 with one minute to go in Q3. Photo Tony Titus

    Amaravati (AP, India), 17 Nov 2018: Sweden’s Jonas Andersson of Team Amaravati, the Indian team for the F1H2O World Championship was the fifth quickest in the Q3 after just managing to enter the last qualyfying session at the fag end with 6th best time. Torrente Shaun clocked the fastest time in the 2.125km circuit doing the fastest of the two laps in 44.54sec.

    In his 8th season, he got his third pole from 45th start and being third in the championship with 53 points, will be gunning for a victory to take the lead as the Formula 1 H2O goes into the final stages with three more rounds left.

    Anderson of Team Amaravati was 0.68 seconds behind in P5, timing 45.22. Stromoy Merit timed 44.72 to qulify in P2 while Stark Erik did 45 dead for the third place.

    Earlier in the second practice session on Saturday morning. Driving the Powerboat in Yellow and Red Amaravati colours in the #14 livery, Anderson clocked 47.22sec for P5 even as top guns Team Abu Dhabi’s Erik Stark grabbed top spot in the closing stages of an intriguing second practice session with a handful of drivers enjoying a spell at the top of the time sheets.

    Stark’s teammate Shaun Torrente ousted Victory’s Alex Carella from top spot and went quickest with 10 minutes of the 60 remaining but was then eclipsed by Ahmed Al Hameli who looked to have put Victory back on top with a 46.42s lap.

    But with a minute to go Stark produced his best run with a 45.97s lap and was the only driver to go sub 46 seconds.

    Team Amaravati’s Jonas Andersson was again in the mix and on the pace in fifth place, with Marit Stromoy, who topped the session early on, ending the morning in sixth spot.

    SECOND PRACTICE – results (top six):

    1. 35 Erik Stark (swe) – 45.97s
    2. 3 Ahmed Al Hameli (uae) – 46.42s
    3. 6 Shaun Torrente (usa/*uae) – 46.74s
    4. 1 Alex Carella (ita/*uae) – 46.84s
    5. 14 Jonas Andersson (Swe- Team Amaravati) – 47.22s
    6. 50 Marit Stromoy (nor) – 47.29s

    (*denotes international racing super license)

    POS COUNTRY BOAT DRIVER Q1 Q2 Q3
    1 6 Shaun Torrente 0:47.85 0:45.82 0:44.54
    2 50 Marit Stromoy 0:47.63 0:46.38 0:44.72
    3 35 Erik Stark 0:47.50 0:46.04 0:45.00
    4 5 Thani Al Qemzi 0:47.02 0:45.91 0:45.06
    5 14 Jonas Andersson 0:46.81 0:46.58 0:45.22
    6 3 Ahmed Al Hameli 0:48.08 0:46.55 0:45.23
    7 8 Peter Morin 0:47.89 0:47.04
    8 1 Alex Carella 0:47.65 0:47.25
    9 37 Francesco Cantando 0:48.24 0:47.50
    10 7 Philippe Chiappe 0:47.95 0:47.52
    11 10 Duarte Benavente 0:48.56 0:47.91
    12 51 Bartek Marszalek 0:48.09
    13 9 Grant Trask 0:48.82
    14 12 Filip Roms 0:48.98
    15 11 Sami Selio 0:49.37
    16 73 Cédric Deguisne 0:50.84
    17 36 Simone Bianca Schuft 0:54.85
    18 74 Suttiphan Sookbuangbon 0:55.00
    19 15 Erik Edin 0:57.03

    For full classifications:

    https://www.f1h2o.com/results/2018/grand-prix-of-india/f1h2o

  • Abu Dhabi’s Shaun Torrente on pole for Grand Prix of India; Team Amaravati’s Anderson 5th

    Abu Dhabi’s Shaun Torrente on pole for Grand Prix of India; Team Amaravati’s Anderson 5th

    Shaun Torrente of Sweden take pole position for the Grand Prix of India. Photo Tony Titus

    Amaravati (AP, India) 17 Nov 2018: Team Abu Dhabi’s Shaun Torrente produced a stunning final run in today’s top-six shootout to cap a thrilling BRM Official Qualifying session, setting the fastest time with a 44.54s lap around the five-pin 1.125km circuit on the Krishna River and will start tomorrow’s Grand Prix of India from pole position.

    Norway’s Marit Stromoy produced her best qualifying session of the season and went second quickest for Emirates Racing with a 44.72s lap, Abu Dhabi’s Erik Stark sealing third spot with a time of 45.00s.

    Torrente was made to work hard for his seventh career-pole and his third of the season, leaving it late into Q2 and sitting outside the top six before jumping to the top of the time sheets to progress into the shootout on his final lap as the clock timed out the 20 minute session, his Abu Dhabi teammates Thani Al Qemzi and Stark locking out the top three spots.

    Victory Team’s Alex Carella was the big loser in the middle session after having his best lap time of 46.27s deleted for cutting the course, dropping him to eighth and elevating Stromoy to fourth, Victory’s Ahmed Al Hameli to fifth and handing a lifeline and shootout slot to Team Amaravati’s Jonas Andersson.

    Andersson opened the shootout with a best lap of 45.22s which Al Hameli was unable to better, missing out by a mere one hundredths of a second.

    Next out was Stromoy and targeting a first pole position since Portugal in 2011 and immediately posted the fastest time of the day with a staggering 44.72s lap to take the provisional pole. Stark followed and produced his best time on his first run but missed out by 0.26s with Al Thani’s time of 45.06s eventually putting him fourth.

    Torrente was last out and the tension mounted as he pulled out of his first run and was suddenly under massive pressure to deliver the team its fourth pole of the season, but then produced a simply breath taking run to snatch pole position from Stromoy by 0.18s. “The whole day was a series of mistakes by me and then to get it done at the last second is great,” Torrente said. “In Q2 I changed to a bigger propeller which I thought I needed and I did. But with less than 30 seconds to go I was out. But I made a good solid lap and went P1. Then in Q3 having seen Marit’s time which was huge I pressed too hard and made a mistake so I aborted and just had to pull out a near perfect lap, which I did.”

    It was another massively frustrating day for the CTIC Shenzhen China F1 duo who have been struggling with engine issues and ahead of a race that they really need to be running in the top three or four to keep any flickering title hopes alive, but now face a huge mountain to climb with Peter Morin qualifying in seventh and Philippe Chiappe in tenth behind Blaze Performance’s Francesco Cantando, the man who won in Mumbai in 2004.

    Today’s result, with the Abu Dhabi trio starting one-three and four tomorrow, brings the likelihood of them all but closing out the title race a step closer as they bid for an unprecedented third successive Grand Prix podium lockout, the woman standing in their way is Marit Stromoy who is bidding for a second Grand Prix win.

    BRM Official Qualifying – Top Six Shootout

    1. 6 Shaun Torrente (usa/*uae) – 44.54s

    2. 50 Marit Stromoy (nor) – 44.72s

    3. 35 Erik Stark (swe/*uae) – 45.00

    4. 5 Thani Al Qemzi (uae) – 45.06s

    5. 14 Jonas Andersson (swe) – 45.22s

    6. 3 Ahmed Al Hameli (uae) – 45.23s

    (*denotes international racing super license)

    For full classifications:

    https://www.f1h2o.com/results/2018/grand-prix-of-india/f1h2o