INDIA in F1

Category: Indians Abroad

News about Indians racing in different motorsports events abroad

  • Williams announces Karun as Heritage Driver

    Williams announces Karun as Heritage Driver

    Oxfordshire, 20 June

    File photo of Karun Chandhok by Adrenna
    File photo of Karun Chandhok by Adrenna

    2016: Williams is delighted to welcome India’s former Formula 1 racer Karun Chandhok as official driver for its Heritage division.

    In his new role as Williams Heritage Driver, Karun will focus on the testing and public demonstration of Williams’ historic racing cars. He will make his first appearance as a Williams Heritage driver at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed (June 23rd – 26th), where Karun will drive up the iconic Goodwood Hill behind the wheel of an FW08C from 1983 and an FW13B from 1990.
    Williams Heritage was created to manage the team’s collection of historic Formula One cars, dating from Williams’ first season in Formula One in 1977 to the most recently retired models. The division showcases these classic racing cars to fans at a selection of events throughout the year, and also identifies and prepares a selection of cars for private sale. With one of the world’s finest reserves of competition cars with an impeccable pedigree, the Williams Heritage programme presents an exclusive investment and ownership opportunity for active enthusiasts and investors. As part of his new role, Karun will also act as a driver coach to customers of Williams Heritage who have purchased a running car and use Williams Heritage to run and maintain it.
    Speaking about his appointment Karun Chandhok said; “Williams is such an iconic British team, steeped in racing history so it’s a real honour to be involved in its Heritage programme. So many of the Williams Heritage cars are pieces of racing history with great stories to tell, so to be offered the chance to get up close and personal and drive them – sometimes being the first person to do so in decades – is an incredible opportunity. I look forward to not only demonstrating the cars from time to time, but working with other Williams car owners to help them fully enjoy their experience of driving these pieces of F1 history.” 
    Jonathan Williams, Williams Heritage Director, said “With a wealth of experience in a wide range of championships, including Formula One, GT, LMP1 and Formula E, Karun was the ideal candidate to be our Heritage driver. What’s more, he has a real passion for motorsport history and is a font of knowledge when it comes to Formula One. The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a highlight of the motorsport calendar, always providing fans with a truly impressive collection of modern and historic cars. We are very much looking forward to taking part in the event once more.”
    eom/Williams press release

     

  • Gaurav Gill gets ready for Queensland challenge: APRC 2nd round

    Gaurav Gill gets ready for Queensland challenge: APRC 2nd round

    File photo of Gaurav Gill by Anand Philar
    File photo of Gaurav Gill by Anand Philar

    Queensland, 15 June 2016: Indian ace driver Gaurav Gill is raring to go as he prepares for the second round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship at Queensland in Australia, this week-end.

    Drivers representing five countries headline a top-flight entry list for the annual International Rally of Queensland on the Sunshine Coast on 17-19 June, all competitors chasing the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Cup powered by Würth.

    Hosting rounds of the FIA Asia Pacific, Australian and State Rally Championships, Queensland’s only international motor sport event has attracted more than 40 entries to tackle 240 kilometres of challenging forest stages around Imbil, in the Coast’s northern hinterland.

    The entry list is headed by India’s MRF Tyres team, winner of five of the past six events and of every APRC driver and manufacturer title since 2012. Their factory-backed Skoda Fabia R5 cars – new this year from the Czech Republic – will be driven by 2010 Queensland winner and 2013 champion Gaurav Gill of India (in picture inset) and 24-year-old German Fabian Kreim, the latest in a parade of young European hot-shots assigned Down Under to develop their skills.

    Gill leads the championship after winning Round 1 in New Zealand last month. The series also will visit China, Japan and Malaysia before finishing in his homeland in December.

    Other drivers entered for Queensland this year are from Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

    Starting his sixth season of international rallying, New Zealand’s Mike Young, 24, showed he will be the defending champions’ strongest rival in the APRC’s second round after claiming several stage wins aboard his Cusco EZY Racing Subaru in his home event.

    Young’s team-mate and making a welcome return to the APRC Sanjay Takale from India, will be hoping for a better result in Australia after a DNF in the New Zealand first round.

    Australia’s challenge will be led by Coffs Harbour-based Nathan Quinn. The Mitsubishi driver has had extensive international experience from China to New Zealand and twice completed the Rally Australia World Championship event.

    Japan is well represented with two drivers, Queensland regular Atsushi Masamura in the PCD Engineering Mitsubishi X and also hoping for a better run in Australia, Fuyuhiko Takahashi in the Ahresty Subaru Impreza. Further representation from Australia comes from Mark Beard driving a Subaru Impreza RS.

    All eight drivers will be chasing the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Cup powered by Würth.

    Round 3 of the Kumho Tyres Australian Rally Championship will be equally hard-fought, with the season invigorated by new rules allowing the return of all-wheel drive cars.

    The field features Australia’s fastest gravel drivers, including four-time champion Simon Evans (Subaru), junior star Harry Bates (Toyota), Tom Wilde, Molly Taylor and Brad Marcovich (all Subarus), Mark Pedder (Peugeot) and Queenslander Ryan Smart (Mitsubishi).

    Major attractions among Classic-car entrants will be Neal Bates, in a 1980 Toyota Celica RA40, and Mal Keough in a replica of the infamous Group B Audi Quattro S1 world rally car.

    Twenty cars are entered for the MRF Tyres Queensland Rally Championship third round.

    Pre-event rally headquarters have been moved north from Caloundra to Maroochydore this year, but the weekend competition hub will remain at the Globe Roamer Service Park at Imbil in the Mary Valley, around 50 minutes’ drive into the Coast hinterland.

    Two spectator viewing parks will be available throughout the weekend at Derrier Road and Casey’s Gully Road. Tickets are available through the event website, at the service park or at the gate.

    Spectators, competitors and officials staying in Imbil will be hosted at a free community-run street party on Saturday night.

    Thousands of fans are expected at the rally’s official Ceremonial Start at Rotary Park, Maroochydore, from 5pm on Friday 17 June. The free family-friendly event will feature a rally car display, driver autographs, prizes, children’s rides, international food and other attractions.

     eom/FIA press release
  • Another podium for Armaan: Super Trofeo Asia Series

    Another podium for Armaan: Super Trofeo Asia Series

    SUZUKA, 12 June 2006: India’s ace racer Armaan Ebrahim and Sri Lankan team-mate Dilantha Malagamuwa bagged a third place podium spot before a blown engine forced retirement in the next race of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia series double header here over the weekend.

    Armaan, supported by JK Tyre and driving for Dilango Racing team, qualified second for the first race on Saturday and looked set to maintain position. However, the team lost one spot after the mandatory pit-stop when Armaan handed over the car to Malagamuwa to complete the remainder of the race.

    On Sunday, in the second race for which the team had qualified ninth, Malagamuwa started and made four places to move into fifth when the engine blew leading to retirement, 20 minutes into the race.

    Armaan, who is among five Asians included in the Young Drivers Program of Lamborghini Squadra Corse, and Malagamuwa had finished second in both races of the first round in Shanghai, China, last month.

    Commenting on the weekend, Chennai-based Armaan, said: “Obviously, we are very disappointed with what happened in the second race, but at least we managed to pick up some points from our podium finish in the first.

    “On Saturday, I qualified second for the first race and Dilantha ninth for the second race. I was running second in the first race at the change-over and we finished third eventually.

    “In the second race, Dilantha did well to move to fifth after starting ninth on the grid, but the engine blew and that was the end of it for us here.

    “We now head to Buriram, Thailand, for the next round in July (23-24) and hopefully, have a better run there.”

    ==================

    eom/AP Media Comm release

    Armaan takes podium. An image by AP media comm.
    Armaan takes podium. An image by AP media comm.

  • Sarath Kumar’s Suzuka campaign curtailed: Asian Road Racing

    Suzuka, 5 June 2016: Despite the injured knee playing up, India’s Sarath Kumar managed to make his race debut in the SuperSport 600 category of the Asia Road Racing Championship at the iconic Suzuka circuit here over the weekend.

    Sarath, the 24-year old from Chennai, supported by Ten10 Racing and WOW Digit HK, took part in the Free Practice sessions on Friday and did well to qualify for the first race on Saturday, but finished last. With the knee that he had injured during pre-season testing hurting, the team decided to rest him for the second race on Sunday rather than risk aggravating the injury.

    “I have a seven-week break before the fourth round in Indonesia (August 6-7) and I am confident that I will be fully fit again. I thank Team Honda, Ten10 Racing and WOW Digit HK for all the support and encouragement. I am happy that at least I qualified for the first race and made my debut,” said Sarath who had missed the first round in

    Malaysia and could not race in the second in Thailand.

    Ten10 Racing’s Managing Director Ramji Govindarajan said: “Sarath qualified for Race 1 despite a lot of pain. The race was red flagged halfway through and turned out to be a five-lap shootout which worked to his advantage as he managed to complete his first race in ARRC SS600.

    “The team T Pro Yuzy Honda NTS with WOW helped him to get on the grid and encouraged him a lot. Sarath had to fight lot of pain and had to be helped to get off the bike at the end of Race 1. Given the situation, our target was for him to qualify and take part in the races. To this end, we are quite happy, and hopefully, he will recover fully for the next round in Indonesia in August.”

    =============

    eom/AP Media Comm release

  • Double Podium for Armaan Ebrahim in Shanghai

    Double Podium for Armaan Ebrahim in Shanghai

    Armaan Ebrahim with trophies (Shanghai)Shanghai (China), May 22: India’s Armaan Ebrahim, along with Sri Lankan team-mate Dilantha Malagamuwa, started his campaign in the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series on a bright note by finishing second in both the races here on Sunday.

    Having qualified second for the first race, 27-year old Chennai-based Armaan, supported by JK Tyre and driving for Dilantha Racing, was quick off the blocks and soon took the lead, but could not push any more as he encountered problems with the brakes and dropped to second, a position he held to the finish line.

    In the next race, Dilantha who had qualified sixth, opened the proceedings and quickly moved to the third spot. However, he was hit from behind which cost him track positions. He soon pitted for Armaan to take over.

    In the next race, Dilantha who had qualified sixth, opened the proceedings and quickly moved to the third spot. However, he was hit from behind which cost him track positions. He soon pitted for Armaan to take over.

    Armaan made positions to move into second place, but could not make headway thereafter and opted to hold position to complete a successful weekend.

    Reflecting on his performance, Armaan said: “We could have probably won both the races, but not a bad way to start the championship. I am happy to have points in the bag. We had a few issues with the car, but overall, it was a good weekend.

    “The qualifying sessions on Saturday were in the wet. However, it was cloudy but dry today. In the first race, I had a problem with the brakes when leading and conceded the lead. I decided to settle for second place.

    “In the second race, Dilantha started in sixth position and was running third when he got tapped from behind. We decided to pit him early and I took over. I made a few places, but eventually had to be satisfied with a second.

    “I am coming out of a long off-season, nearly six months, but was happy I could settle down. It is a long season as we finish only in December. So, we will take it race by race. I look forward to the next round in Suzuka, Japan, next month (June 11-12) and build on the momentum.”

    eom/AP Media Comm release

  • Asia Dream Cup: Indian tri-colour flies high in Thailand

    Asia Dream Cup: Indian tri-colour flies high in Thailand

    Buriram (Thailand), 20 May 2016: Indian racer Hari Krishnan romped home to his first-ever podium at an International level, finishing a credible second in Race 2 of the Asia Dream Cup at the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship.

    After a spectacular performance from start-to-finish, the 22-year old from Chennai provided ample proof of his immense talent with his trademark aggressive racing style. Hari. a product of Honda’s training at Ten10 Racing academy, was selected by Honda to represent India based on his consistent performances in the Honda One-Make Race Championships. He became the second-Indian to manage a podium finish after S Sarath Kumar, who had finished second in Qatar in 2014. He clocked 16’52.792s.

    Basking in glory, Hari celebrated his second-place by bringing the Indian flag with him to the podium, sending the Indian diaspora present at the Chang International Circuit into raptures.

    Having earlier finished the Race 1 in 11th position; Hari is currently placed seventh in the overall Championship Standings with 32 points.

    The Asia Dream Cup, a part of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, is an intense 6 round motorcycle racing championship conducted by Honda aimed at developing motorsport riders across the world. Eighteen racers from 10 countries, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Philippines, Sri Lanka and India, raced on specially modified CBR 250Rs in Asia’s best race tracks.

    This year, the Buddh International Circuit will host the Round 5 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2.

    eom/MSL press release

    Hari Krishna (left) clinches second in the Asian Road Racing one-make event in Thailand. A Honda image
    Hari Krishna (left) clinches second in the Asian Road Racing one-make event in Thailand. A Honda image

     

     

  • Jehan Challenges for podium in Silverstone

    Jehan Challenges for podium in Silverstone

    Silverstone (UK), 18 May 2016: Sahara Force India Academy Racer – Jehan Daruvala, completed Round 2 of the Formula Renault 2.0 NEC at the famed Silverstone F1 Circuit in the UK, with 2 strong finishes just outside the podium. He managed a 5th & 4th place at the same circuit, where he came out unscathed after a horrific crash last year.

    Jehan managed to qualify 6th out of the 24 racers in Qualifying session 1, He was immediately behind Championship leader – Dorian Boccolacci of France. Belgian, Max Defourny bagged pole position ahead of Britain’s Lando Norris.

    In Qualifying session 2, Jehan went one higher to qualify 5th on the grid, while Lando Norris bagged pole ahead of fellow Brit – Will Palmer.

    “After analysing all the data with the team, I know that I am right up there through the entire lap, I need to work on my speed through the last two corners, because I am losing most of my time just there.” reflected Jehan after Qualifying.

    Race 1 saw Jehan get a decent start but he soon lost two positions. In two laps he made up one position by overtaking Alex Gill on the inside.

    A few laps later Jehan made a fantastic and aggressive move down the inside of Keeffe. Keeffe slammed the door shut & the two made contact. Keeffe had to retire while Jehan suffered front wing damage & managed to eventually finish the race in fifth place. Max Defourny won the race ahead of Boccolacci, while Will Palmer finished 3rd.

    Jehan made a good start in Race 2 & held his fifth place. Lando Norris ran away at the front & built up a lead of 3 car lengths. On lap three Jehan was all over the rear of Race 1 winner – Max Defourny. Jehan then made the most unbelievable move on the outside of Defourny into a sharp, downhill left hander. In what was certainly the overtaking move of the race, Jehan moved into fourth.

    Jehan soon chased down Boccolacci & tried his best, but could not make a move. As his tyres started to go off, he decided to back off & protect his 4th position. Norris continued his lead extension at the front to win ahead of Palmer, Boccolacci & Jehan.

    “I need to find more time on brand new tyres in qualifying. My race pace has been decent but I have been losing out in qualifying this weekend. It’s something I will definitely be working on. I enjoyed the battle with Defourny, but then I pushed too hard, too soon, which meant that my tyres lost grip a little sooner than I would have liked. I had no choice but to give up on fighting for third & instead had to protect my fourth place” said Jehan after Race 2.

    Jehan’s next race will be at the world famous Monaco Street Circuit as part of the support Race to Formula 1 on 28th & 29th May as part of the Formula Renault Eurocup.

    eom/Rayo Racing press release

    Jehan Daruvala at Silverstone 18 May 2016. A Jehan Daruvala image
    Jehan Daruvala at Silverstone 18 May 2016. A Jehan Daruvala image

  • Knee injury scuttles Sarath Kumar’s debut

    Buriram (Thailand), 7 May 2016: With the knee injury that he suffered recently during training acting up, India’s Sarath Kumar was forced to sit out the second of the Asian Road Racing Championship here this weekend after participating in the three Free Practice sessions of the SuperSports 600cc class on Friday.

    “It was most unfortunate that my debut in the 600cc class was a non-starter. I was in severe pain after participating in the three Free Practice sessions on Friday following which we decided to skip the rest of the weekend rather than risk aggravating the injury.

    “Hopefully, I will be fit and ready for the third round at Suzuka in Japan next month (June 4-5),” said the 23-year old Sarath Kumar who is supported by WOW Digit-Hong Kong, Honda Motorcycles and Scooters, India, Honda Motors, Japan and Ten10 Racing.

    Ramji Govindarajan, Managing Director, Ten10 Racing, said: “As we all know, Sarath is still recovering from his knee injury and FP3 (Free Practice-3) took a toll on his knee and he was in pain. So the team decided to run him only for five laps.

    “The grid a tough one, but we as a team and manager are not putting any pressure on him to perform. We want him to recover and learn the nuances of riding a 600cc motorcycle step by step.

    “Sarath has been working hard on it despite being in pain and is not able to ride through left corner or right to left quick transition turns. We are hoping that he would have fully recovered from the injury for the next round in Japan.”

    eom/AP Media Comm release

  • Sarath Kumar to debut in Asian Road Racing – Super Sports 600cc 

    Sarath Kumar to debut in Asian Road Racing – Super Sports 600cc 

    Chennai, 5 May 2016: With active support from WOW Digit HK, India’s Sarath Kumar will make his debut in the Super Sports 600cc class of the 2016 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship this weekend.

    The 24-year old Chennai-based rider, who has competed in the Asia Dream Cup in the past, will join the ARRC in the second round to be held at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, on May 8-9 after missing the first round in Johor, Malaysia, in April due to a knee injury.

    Thanks to Mr John Sudheer, Director, True Pursuit Global Management, who introduced WOW Digit HK to support Sarath Kumar in the ARRC, the Indian’s move to the 600cc class comes after riding smaller motorcycles for four years.

    Sarath’s team-mates at Team T.Pro Yuzy Honda NTS Racing are Japanese riders Tomoyoshi Koyama and Taiga Hada, both with plenty of skill and experience.

    On facilitating support for Sarath’s ARRC campaign, Sudheer said: “India as a country has always been very cricket-centric and I believe we have much more talent in India in other sports also. So when I heard about Sarath, his talent and performance in the international series, I decided to support him. It will be great pride to see India in the Asian level championship.

    “I know WOW Digit personally and it is an upcoming brand across Asia. So I brought them on board as a main sponsor for the team. They saw an immediate synergy with ARRC as it travels to different parts of Asia that are our key markets. Although WOW Digit does not have a direct connect with moto racing, the excitement of racing and the viewership across Asia will give the brand a good reach. So, it’s a win-win situation.”

    On his expectations from Sarath, Sudheer said: “We now know that the class is competitive from what we saw during the first round in Johor, Malaysia, and as long as he participates in the right spirit and learns the techniques this season, we will be proud of an Indian participation,” Sudheer said.

    Sarath Kumar said: “This is a big opportunity. I have been riding 250cc for long now, but my bodyweight and height were becoming a disadvantage. Hence, this was the only move I could make and thanks to my team Honda, Mr John Sudheer, Ten10 Racing and WOW Digit, this opportunity has come at the right time.

    “It is one the toughest grid in the World today, maybe even tougher than World Super Sport, but ARRC will provide a great platform for me to work hard, ride and learn from the best in Asia. Having missed the first round due to knee injury that I am still recovering from, it is going to be a tough task to catch up and learn the bike and get up to pace.

    “Since 2011 in World Championship, I have always been involved in international racing, thanks to Ramji Govindarajan of Ten10 Racing who has been working hard to keep my international career going for so many years. However, this switch is critical to my racing career as this will define my future in international racing.

    “I want to thank Mr John Sudheer whose support helped put an Indian in the Asia Championship. WOW Digit is a new era brand and will be great to work with them and promoting and carrying their brand with us across Asia.

    “Also Ten10 Racing has been the backbone in my racing career, being beside me even during tough times and injuries. Vinoth Kannan of Ten10 Racing has been constantly working with me on my fitness and Ramji Govindarajan has been mentoring me for so many years to make me a professional racer that I am today. I will always be indebted to Ten10 Racing.”

    The 2016 ARRC Calendar is:

    Round 1 – Johor Circuit, Malaysia, April 1-2 (completed); Round 2 – Chang International Circuit, Thailand, May 7-8; Round 3 – Suzuka Circuit, Japan, June 4-5; Round 4 – Sentul Circuit, Indonesia, August 6-7; Round 5 – Buddh International Circuit, India, October 1-2; Round 6 – Chang International Circuit, Thailand, December 3-4

     

    eom/AP Media Comm release

    Sarath Kumar file photo by Anand Philar
    Sarath Kumar file photo by Anand Philar
  • Armaan set for Lamborghini Super Trofeo and GT Asia series

    Armaan set for Lamborghini Super Trofeo and GT Asia series

     

    Chennai, 4 May 2016: India’s ace racer Armaan Ebrahim will begin a packed international season next week as he will make his debut in the GT Asia Championship besides participating in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Series for a second successive year.

    Armaan, the 26-year old from Chennai, will kick-start his campaign with the first round of the GT Asia series in Korea on the May 13-15 weekend driving the Lamborghini Gallardo GT3, followed by the season opener of the Super Trofeo in Shanghai, China, on May 20-22.

    Supported by JK Tyre, Armaan will again team-up with Sri Lankan Dilantha Malagamuwa who runs the Dilango Racing team. The duo finished second Overall in the Super Trofeo Asia series last year, but hopes to do better this season.

    Looking ahead to the season, Armaan said: “For sure, it is going to be busy and exciting season for me and I am looking forward to racing on a variety of circuits.

    “I will be doing five of the six rounds of the GT Asia in the Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 and all the six of the Super Trofeo which will conclude with the World finals in Valencia, Spain.

    “Having said that, I thank for the support I have received from JK Tyre who have backed me over the years from my karting days. Hopefully, I will be able to deliver strong results this season and live up to expectations.

    “Last year, Dilantha and I finished second Overall in the Super Trofeo series, and we are determined to go one better this time around.”

    Armaan’s calendar is:

    GT Asia Series: Korea International Circuit, South Korea (May 13-15), Okayama, Japan (July 1-3), Fuji, Japan (July 15-17), Shanghai, China (September 2-4) and Zhejiang, China (October 21-23).

    Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Series: Shanghai, China (May 20-22), Suzuka, Japan (June 10-12), Buriram, Thailand (July 22-24), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (August 12-14), Fuji, Japan (September 16-18) and Valencia, Spain (December 1-2).

    eom/AP Media Comm release