INDIA in F1

Category: Indians Abroad

News about Indians racing in different motorsports events abroad

  • Gaurav Gill overcomes suspension problem, thanks to Team MRF: APRC

    Johor Bahru, 17 Aug 2014: Gaurav Gill, the Team MRF speed maestro and defending Asia Pacific Rally Champion (APRC) overcame a problem with his mechanical problem to win the Malaysian Rally in convincing fashion. After crashing out in Australia this was a strong performance by Gill, finishing over thirteen minutes ahead of Australia’s Mark Pedder, to put himself within ten points’ rea

    Gauvrav Gill seen with his wife Dr Shilpa (checks shirt on the right side) as he poses with MRF Skoda Team after winning the APRC Malaysian leg. An Adrenna image
    Gauvrav Gill seen with his wife Dr Shilpa (checks shirt on the right side) as he poses with MRF Skoda Team after winning the APRC Malaysian leg. An Adrenna image

    ch of overall championship leader and teammate Jan Kopecky.

    With Czech teammate Jan Kopecky out of the classification with a suspension break on day one, the onus was on Gill to finish and make sure at least one Team MRF car was on top. Gill got off to a wonderful start, winning the day’s first stage, Tai Tak Court House, by more than ten seconds. But trouble with his suspension in the next stage meant that he had to ease off.

    Gill was thrilled to win the Rally of Malaysia after being unsure of finishing the Rally. He said, “The rear suspension stopped working because of the heat. We took it easy and the priority was to make sure one of the cars finished on top. In the second stage (of the day) we started having the problem. By the third it completely collapsed. Malaysia is all about finishing the rally. It’s the most difficult rally of the season. One of the toughest in the world I would say and the team has done a great job so big thank you to Team MRF for the win today.”

    Yesterday Gill’s team-mate Jan Kopecky (co-driver Pavel Dresler) suffered a broken rear suspension as he seemed set to win his third consecutive rally when his Skoda S2000 landed too hard on a jump in Special Stage six (Tai Tak Fish Pond). Until then, Kopecky had won three of the five stages and built up a lead of 1:14.8s.

    The racing crew will now move to the penultimate rally in Japan (September 26-28). For Kopecky it will be his first rally in Japan. He said, “There is still no pressure, It’s just good for the team at least one car has won the rally. Japan will be interesting. Hopefully we can find the same pace as we did in this rally.”

    Gill was adamant that startegy will play a big role for the next race. He commented, “The strategy is going to be absolutely flat out from the word go in Japan,” said Gill. “That’s going to be sort of a decider for us. Either make it or break it.”

    Final Standings:

    1. Gaurav Gill (Ind) 3:01:23.2s;

    2. Mark Pedder (Aus) 3:14:25.7s;

    3. Xu Jun (Chn) 3:14:47.4s;

    4. Sanjay Takle (Ind) 3:28:44.8s;

    5. Michael Young (Nzl) 3:35:21.0s.

    eom/Adrenna Communications Release

  • Gaurav Gill raring to mount challenge on MRF teammate: APRC in Malaysia

    Gaurav Gill of MRF in action. File photo courtesy FIAAPRC.com
    Gaurav Gill of MRF in action. File photo courtesy FIAAPRC.com

    The Malaysian Rally is perhaps the toughest event in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. And Indian driver, Gaurav Gill, (in the MRF car) will be hoping that a new car will be just what he needs to get his Asia-Pacific Championship campaign back on track in Malaysia this weekend.
    Photo courtesy of rallywhangarei.co.nz

    The Team MRF driver crashed out of June’s Rally of Queensland, and now trails his team-mate, Jan Kopecky, by 39 points in the battle for the title. However, his experience of the Malaysian Rally could prove decisive as the event’s slippery stages and tropical climate make this one of the toughest rallies in the world.

    While Gill and co-driver, Glenn Macneall, will drive a brand new Race Torque-prepared Skoda Fabia S2000, team-mates Kopecky and Dresler (mug shots in red) will have a new engine fitted to their car, which could see them take a first-up Malaysian victory.

    “This event is usually tricky on technical roads that are very slippery when wet,” Team MRF boss, Lane Heenan said.

    Kopecky and Dresler - Photo by Geoff Ridder“The temperature and humidity makes this one of the toughest rallies anywhere in the world and is a real test of the crews’ stamina.

    “Jan has been going to the sauna and wearing his overalls for the last few weeks to help get used to the conditions here, and both drivers and co-drivers will wear cool suits with ice water circulation to prevent fatigue.”

    Team MRF will be hoping to get both cars to the finish and to consolidate their already considerable championship lead.

    While they’re hoping for a dry event, rain in Malaysia can often be very localised, making tyre choice more difficult than at any other event in the championship. Temperatures during the day are expected to be around 30 degrees, with high humidity.

    After a promotional start at a local shopping centre on Friday evening, the Malaysian Rally continues on Saturday and Sunday with 14 stages covering a total competitive distance of 217 kilometres.

    The longest stage of the rally is the 26.32km Tai Tak stage, held twice on the first day.

    After Jan Kopecky won the Pacific Cup covering the first three rounds of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, Team MRF have entered Gill in the Asian Cup, of which this event is the first round.

    Other leading entries include Australians Mark Pedder (Lancer Evo X) and Tom Wilde (Renault Clio), Kiwi Michael Young (Proton Satria), and China’s Jun Xu in a Skoda Fabia.

     

  • World Council accepts re-starts after stoppages from 2015: F1 races

    Munich, 26 June 2014: A President praised co-hosts the Deutscher Motor Sport Bund E.V. (DMSB) and the Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil Club E.V. (ADAC) for their support of the week which welcomed representatives from over 109 ASNs to Munich, up from 74 in 2013.

    The following decisions were taken by the WMSC:

    FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

    Changes to the F1 Regulations for 2015 have been agreed by the WMSC.

    The last date at which the sporting and technical regulations can be changed without unanimous agreement has been changed from 30 June to 1 March each year, starting from 2015.FIA logo1

    Changes to 2015 Sporting Regulations

    Power units

    –       The number of engines permitted by each driver in a season will be four. However, if there are more than 20 races in a season, the number will increase to five.

    –       The penalty for a complete change of Power Unit will be starting from the back of the grid, not the pit lane.

    Aerodynamic testing

    –       The number of wind tunnel runs will be reduced from 80 hours per week to 65 hours per week.

    –       Wind-on hours are to be reduced from 30 hours per week to 25 hours.

    –       Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) usage is to be reduced from 30 Teraflops to 25 Teraflops.

    –       Two periods of tunnel occupancy will be allowed in one day (rather than only one).

    –       Teams will only be able to nominate one wind tunnel in one year.

    Testing

    –       There will be three pre-season tests of four days each in Europe in 2015 (currently teams are able to test outside Europe). This will be reduced to two tests of four days in 2016.

    –       There will be two in-season tests of two days each in Europe (instead of the current four). Two of these four days must be reserved for young drivers.

    Car specification at an Event

    The current restrictions to the parc fermé will now apply from the start of P3 instead of the start of qualifying.

    Wheels and tyres

    The ban on tyre blankets will be rescinded for 2015. This will be re-discussed if and when the wheel and tyre diameter increases in the future.

    Personnel Curfew

    The Friday night curfew will be extended from six to seven hours in 2015 and will increase to eight hours in 2016.

     

    Safety Car restarts

    Safety Car restarts will now be a standing start from the grid. Standing starts will not be carried out if the Safety Car is used within two laps of the start (or restart) of a race or if there are less than five laps of the race remaining.

    Changes to 2015 Technical Regulations

    A number of changes have been made, including:

    –     A number of new regulations for the noses to ensure improved safety and to provide more aesthetically pleasing structures.

    –     A number of new regulations concerning skid blocks to ensure that they are made from a lighter material (titanium) and are better contained.

    –     New regulations to ensure that the brake discs rotate at the same speed as the wheels.

    –     A two-stage wheel fastener retaining system is now compulsory.

    FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

    From January 2015, Priority 1 and 2 drivers will be obliged to do a minimum of three passages through the shakedown stage in order to provide greater media and promotional opportunities. Accordingly, the number of tyres used during shakedown will not form part of the total allocation for the event.

    FORMULA E CHAMPIONSHIP

    A number of amendments have been made to the sporting regulations (available online).

    The 2014/15 Calendar of the FIA Formula E Championship will be as follows:

    Date Venue Country
    13.09.2014 Beijing CHN
    18.10.2014 Putrajaya MLY
    13.12.2014 Punta del Este URY
    10.01.2015 Buenos Aires ARG
    14.03.2015 Miami USA
    04.04.2015 Long Beach USA
    09.05.2015 Monaco MCO
    30.05.2015 Berlin DEU
    27.06.2015 London GBR

    A tenth race is to be confirmed for 14 February 2015.

    The ten teams entered for the FIA Formula E Championship are as follows:

    – Andretti Autosport Formula E Team

    – Audi Sport ABT Formula E Team

    – China Racing Formula E Team

    – Dragon Racing Formula E Team

    – e.dams Formula E Team

    – Mahindra Racing Formula E Team

    – Super Aguri Formula E Team

    – Trulli Formula E Team

    – Venturi Formula E Team

    – Virgin Racing Formula E Team

    SINGLE-SEATER COMMISSION

    It has been agreed to establish a 2015 FIA Formula 3 Middle East Cup which will take place in January 2015. The first edition will be held in Bahrain. A call of interest for promoters will be launched.

    Changes to the FIA F3 technical regulations have been made to reduce running and development costs. The homologation period of the current chassis has been extended until 31 December 2017.

     

    ENDURANCE COMMISSION

    The 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours will be held on 13-14 June (with a test day on 31 May).

    GT COMMISSION

    As from 2015, a new FIA Drivers Categorisation will replace the current FIA WEC and FIA GT3 lists with the aim of categorising drivers (Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze) in a standardised manner based on three criteria: age, record of achievement and performance.

    HISTORIC MOTOR SPORT COMMISSION

    It was agreed to set the cut-off year for recognition of cars considered as ‘historic’ at 1990, at least for the next 10 years. Furthermore, it has been decided to extend the period of validity for Historic Technical Passports from 5 to 10 years.

    A working group is to be established, chaired by President of the Historic Motor Sport Commission, Paolo Cantarella, to investigate the classification of cars dated 1990 on that are not historic but which no longer satisfy the latest safety criteria.

    OFF-ROAD COMMISSION

    Further to proposals by the new Rallycross Technical Working Group, made up of representatives of the FIA, the promoter and the teams entered in the World Championship, a revised set of Technical Regulations for Rallycross will be in place as of 1 January 2015. This includes the broadening of possible engine options, allowing the use of ‘custom’ engines.

    WOMEN IN MOTOR SPORT COMMISSION

    The FIA, represented by FIA Women in Motorsport Commission President Michèle Mouton, signed the Brighton Declaration on Women and Sport on 12 June, underlining the Federation’s commitment to encouraging and supporting the promotion of women in motor sport. The signing took place on the occasion of the 6th International Working Group World Conference on Women and Sport, hosted in Helsinki, Finland.

    FIA EUROPEAN DRAG RACING COMMISSION

    The race scheduled for Sweden on 15 June 2014 is cancelled.

    VOLUNTEERS AND OFFICIALS COMMISSION

    The creation of a new award “Best Team of the Season” was approved. This award aims to reward a group of officials nominated by the ASNs who have achieved excellence in their teamwork. The ASNs will be free to nominate this award to either: all (or a group of) the track or road marshals (or scrutineers, timekeepers, the medical team, etc.) of a given competition; or all the officials of a given competition.

    LAND SPEED RECORDS COMMISSION

    The only confirmed record attempts currently scheduled are at the ACCUS Annual Event at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the USA, on 11-16 September.

    CIRCUITS COMMISSION

    It was agreed to amend the marshal flag signal rules to reflect current practices and harmonise them with the Code of Driving Conduct. The light blue flag should normally be waved, as an indication to a driver that he is about to be overtaken. It has different meanings during practice and the race.

    During practice: A faster car is close behind you.

    During the race: The flag should normally be shown to a car about to be lapped, if the driver does not seem to be making full use of his rear-view mirrors. When shown, the driver concerned must allow the following car to pass at the earliest opportunity.

    Next WMSC

    The next meeting of the WMSC will be held in Beijing on 11 September 2014.

    eom/FIA release

  • Aditya takes maiden GTS win in Spain

    Jerez, 21 June 2014: India’s Aditya Patel, along with Portuguese teammate Cesar Campanico, won the opening race in the GTS (GT3) category and finishing second overall in the third riound race of the International GT Open Series in Jerez (Spain) on Saturday.
    Driving for Team Novadriver, the duo aced faster Super GT cars after Campanico put in a spectacular qualifying lap to secure pole position overall, thus giving themselves an edge over the second GT3 car that was starting fifth on the grid, an FMSCI press release said.
    Campanico started the race for the team and lost a place to the Ferrari of Daniel Zampieri going into the first corner, although he held on to second place on the grid while continuing to lead the GT3 class for the rest of the drive.
    Talented Chennai boy Patel, 25, sponsored by Audi India, JK Tyre and Amante, drove aggressively after taking over at the halfway mark, and despite losing nearly 15 seconds in a pitlane miscommunication he pushed the Audi R8 LMS Ultra hard, to close in on Roman Mavlanov and Zampieri but there wasn’t sufficient time to get past the duo and he had to settle for second place overall. This, however, meant they had won the GT3 category and Patel thus became the first Indian to win a GT3 race.
    “It feels pretty nice to finally win a GT3 race after all the effort we’ve been putting in since the season began,” said Patel, while thanking his sponsors who have steadfastly supported him over the years.
    “Again, Cesar did a fantastic job by fighting up in front during his stint. The pitstop incident was unfortunate. We were very close to winning overall and that would have really been great for us and the team! I’d like to thank Audi India, JK Tyre and Amante for their support over the years.
    “Hopefully this is the first of many to come. Tomorrow we start fifth overall and third in class. The fifteen second pitstop handicap because of our win today will make it difficult but we will push hard for a good finish.”
    eom

    Aditya Patel takes his maiden win a Jerez on Saturday. An FMSCI pic
    Aditya Patel takes his maiden win a Jerez on Saturday. An FMSCI pic

  • Gaurav Gill all set for Queensland challenge: APRC

    MRF car in action. Image courtesy FIAAPRC.com
    MRF car in action. Image courtesy FIAAPRC.com

    The Asia-Pacific Rally Championship is in Australia this weekend for the International Rally of Queensland, where Team MRF drivers Gaurav Gill and Jan Kopecky resume their battle for supremacy.

    With one win apiece from the first two rounds, in New Zealand and New Caledonia, Gill and Kopecky come into round three of the championship equal on points, with both needing a win to move into a clear lead. Driving their Team MRF Skoda Fabia Super 2000s, their championship battle has, not surprisingly, been close. Both drivers are the class of the APRC field, with Gill the reigning title holder, and Kopecky last year’s FIA European Rally Champion.

    “They’re both extremely talented and competitive drivers,” Team MRF boss, Lane Heenan, said this week.

    “While Gaurav has done the Rally of Queensland several times before, this will be Jan’s first time, however he has shown that he has the experience to win events first time out. So we’re expecting another really close battle this weekend.

    “We’ve never implied team orders in the past, and we won’t be starting that this weekend. Both drivers will be itching to gain an advantage and will be going for the win. It should be exciting to watch!”

    Despite being held on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, based out of Caloundra, the weather is looking like being wet for the rally, which will make conditions even more tricky than normal.

    Drivers have regularly stated that the forest roads around Imbil have very little grip, and if the forecast rain arrives, then conditions could be treacherous.

    It was conditions similar to that which saw Gill’s car needing repair after an off-road excursion in New Caledonia that saw him drop from first to second place by the end of the event.

    Since that rally, Gill has been busy, and last weekend won the Rally of Maharashtra, the first round of the Indian Rally Championship.

    Both Gill and Kopecky will have a short test session on Wednesday morning, before the rally begins on Saturday.

    The International Rally of Queensland will again be based in the Mary Valley, with the service park and event HQ located in Imbil, around two hours north of Brisbane. It is the sixth time the event has been a round of the APRC.

    A revised itinerary has dramatically reduced the amount of liaison distance this year, with the majority of the stages being used twice, and two stages being run three times.

    The rally is run over a total of 16 stages, over a mixture of fast flowing and sometimes twisty forestry roads. The longest stage of the rally is 35.72km in length.

    After a ceremonial start in Caloundra on Friday night, the rally runs on Saturday and Sunday. The event is also round three of the Australian Rally Championship.

    eom/FIAAPRC release

     

  • Successful shakedown for Karun Chandhok, Mahindra Formula E team

    Karun Chandhok and Bruno Senna (right) pose with the Mahindra Formula E car on Thursday. An Adrenna Communications image
    Karun Chandhok and Bruno Senna (right) pose with the Mahindra Formula E car on Thursday. An Adrenna Communications image

    Donington, 5 June 2014: The Mahindra Formula E team completed a successful shakedown of the team’s new Formula E car on Wednesday, at a wet Donington Park circuit in the UK. Taking part in the first ever shakedown for the 10 Formula E teams, Mahindra Racing drivers Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok completed various system checks during the day’s running.

    Both drivers completed their seat fits on Tuesday, with the Mahindra Racing mechanics making the seats and adjusting pedal positions to suit both drivers. With only one car yet delivered to each of the teams, Senna and Chandhok shared the team’s car – named via a fan competition as Mahindra Nitro – throughout the day.

    Senna was first to take to the track, pulling out onto a wet Donington circuit in the fully liveried Mahindra Nitro. After a few technical issues, the car was able to complete a number of laps, allowing the team to check the battery and recharging systems. Chandhok drove the afternoon session, completing two separate runs to add to the team’s knowledge of the fully electric machine.

    Chandhok was excited to get his first taste of the Formula E car. He commented, “It was an interesting day. Driving a new car is always exciting but driving something so different made it really intriguing. It was very much a systems check and day gathering information on the motor and battery but also a chance for us as drivers to get a first impression. It’s clear this is going to be a category that is about strategy and intelligence rather than just pure driving speed. With the energy recovery systems and battery life you will have to think about strategy all the time. I think the fans are going to be impressed when they see all the cars on track.”

    Team Principal Dilbagh Gill added, “This was an important day for us. Not only was it the first opportunity for Karun and Bruno to work trackside with the team, it was also our first opportunity to work with and begin to understand the revolutionary technology on the Formula E cars. Despite a few teething problems, we were able to shakedown the car and check very thoroughly all the complex systems on it. Formula E have provided a great technical support team and it was fantastic to see our team and drivers adjust to this new technology so quickly.”

    Chandhok and Senna will be back on track for the first full Formula E test from 3 – 4 July, also at the Donington Circuit in the UK.

    Chandhok will now head to France to participate in the Le Mans 24hrs race which takes place on June 14. Chandhok is supported by long term supporters JK Tyre, as well as Tag Heuer,  Sidvin and the AVT group.

    eom/Adrenna Communications release

  • Brilliant maiden podium for 16-year-old Tarun Reddy: Formula Renault

    Formula Renault Podium, Alex Gill (GBR) Fortec Motorsport Formula Renault, Pietro Fittipaldi (BRA) MGR Motorsport Formula Renault and Tarun Reddy (IND) MGR Motorsport Formula Renault. Photo courtesy: Jakob Ebrey Photography
    Formula Renault Podium, Alex Gill (GBR) Fortec Motorsport Formula Renault, Pietro Fittipaldi (BRA) MGR Motorsport Formula Renault and Tarun Reddy (IND) MGR Motorsport Formula Renault. Photo courtesy: Jakob Ebrey Photography

    Donington Park, 2 June 2014: Chennai racing talent Tarun Reddy took a fantastic podium finish on just his second race weekend in the UK in the Protyre Formula Renault Championship at Donington Park on Sunday.

    The 16-year-old, who is also currently leading the Formula MRF 1600 category in the National Racing Championship (of India), won a great battle for third place in the second race of the weekend. Combined with seventh and ninth positions in the other two races, that keeps him in sixth place in the championship.

    That was even more impressive considering that Reddy’s plan to get in some testing on the challenging Donington track was scuppered by wet weather, meaning his first laps in the dry at the venue with his MGR Motorsport machine came in qualifying.

    Tarun shook off that handicap to qualify fourth for race two, and sixth for the other two races. In the first race his car lacked pace. Reddy lost sixth place just before half-distance but held off an attack from behind to claim seventh.

    Race two featured a great battle with title contender and race winner Matteo Ferrer. Reddy had moved up to third by passing Canadian Patrick Dussault, but then came under attack from Ferrer, who got by into the first corner. Tarun then repassed the Italian with an ultra-brave move into the Old Hairpin – which despite its name is the fastest corner on the track – and Ferrer went sailing off the track at the next corner. Reddy then held off a renewed attack from Dussault for his maiden podium in the UK.

    A terrific first lap got Reddy up to fourth place in the final race, but he overshot the chicane and dropped to last, before recovering to claim more points in ninth.

    Tarun was thrilled to get his first podium in only his second race. He said, “Considering I didn’t get a single dry lap before going into qualifying, to come away with a podium on my second weekend in Formula Renault is a good start. I didn’t get the best of starts, and I lost a little part of my front nose while passing Dussault early in the race but it didn’t affect the car much. I fought my way back up and managed to hold them off, so I’m really happy.

    “We struggled with race pace in the first race, and I had to do a lot of defending, while in the last race I generally did have the pace to fight for a front position but I locked up at the last corner. I’m quite gutted about it, because it could have been so much better, but I think I did a good job overall and it’s an improvement from round one at Rockingham.”

    Tarun’s manager, Formula MRF 2000 champion Rupert Svendsen-Cook, added: “Tarun made a big step forward from Rockingham, which is all you can ask for. It was his best qualifying so far, and his best race finish – and to finish on the podium is a massive achievement. He drove a very hard race, but very fair as well, and that’s great at such an early stage in his career.”

    Tarun now has several weeks before the third round, at Brands Hatch on 26th/27th July. “Now I’ve had my first podium I just have to keep working, and my aim now is to get a win – I don’t see why I shouldn’t get one or two before the end of the year,” he said. “I’ve already done two days of testing around Brands so I should be competitive.”

    Eom/Adrenna Communications Press Release; Images: Jakob Ebrey Photography

  • Karun Chandhok, Bruno Senna to drive for Mahindra Racing in inaugural FIA Formula E

    Former F1 drivers Bruno Senna and India's Karun Chandhok will pair to drive for Mahindra Racing in the inaugural Formula E championship. An Adrenna Communications image
    Former F1 drivers Bruno Senna and India’s Karun Chandhok will pair to drive for Mahindra Racing in the inaugural Formula E championship. An Adrenna Communications image

    Mumbai, 26 May 2014.  Mahindra Racing announced on Monday that India’s own Karun Chandhok and Bruno Senna will be the team’s drivers for the inaugural season of the FIA Formula E Championship. The duo will represent Mahindra when they line-up on the grid at the start of the world’s first ever fully electric championship in Beijing later this year.

    Commenting on this development, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Executive Director and President (Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors), said, “Mahindra Racing takes an important step forward on its pioneering journey into electric car racing with the announcement of our driver line-up. We are confident that our participation in Formula E racing would allow Mahindra to remain at the cutting edge of EV technology and help us develop the next generation of electric road cars.”

    According to Mr. S P Shukla, Chairman, Mahindra Racing, “Both Karun and Bruno come with very strong racing pedigrees and have successfully competed in a variety of racing series over the past few years. The entire team looks forward to working with both of them to optimize the performance of our racing car over the next few months of testing before the start of racing in September this year.”

    Neither Chandhok nor Senna are strangers to international racing fans, both having competed at the top level of the sport in Formula 1. The signing of two such high profile drivers is an indication of Mahindra’s determination to succeed in the first season of Formula E.  Representing the only Indian team on the Formula E grid, Chandhok and Senna bring with them a strong working relationship, having already raced as team mates previously in their careers.

    Team Principal Dilbagh Gill commented, “Karun and Bruno both represent the perfect balance between experience and youthful enthusiasm for this truly ground breaking championship. I am confident they will do their best to represent Mahindra on the world stage and the entire team is aiming for top results from the start of the championship.”

    Preparation for the season is already underway, with the team’s first car having been delivered to Mahindra Racing recently. This brand new Formula E car has already been painted with the team’s new livery – a stunning combination of Mahindra red and the colours of the Indian flag.

    “I’m very excited to be a part of the Mahindra Racing line up,” said Karun Chandhok.  “Mahindra are showing a lot of commitment to Formula E and it’s very encouraging to see the support of senior members of the group to this programme. To be a part of the only Indian team in this series is a real honour for me especially as I’m going to be working with one of India’s most respected brands.”

    He added, “It’s also going to be a nice reunion for me with Bruno again. He’s one of my closest friends from the racing world, we respect each other and work well together which will be good for the development of the team.

    Formula E is a whole new way of going motor racing. The in-city races are going to be a great spectacle and will make the sport a lot more accessible for the public – they’re taking the race to the fans, rather than making the fans come to the race. The quality of teams and drivers should ensure some fantastic racing and I can’t wait for the season to kick off.”

    Teammate Bruno Senna added, “I’m very proud to be joining Mahindra Racing. There is a real ambition within the team to be leaders in Formula E from the start.  It’s also an exciting prospect to be part of such a revolutionary championship from the beginning.”

    “There will be a lot to learn very quickly, both for the teams and drivers, in terms of technology and driving styles and for race fans as Formula E will popularise a new type of motorsport across the world. Of course, I already have a great relationship with Karun which will help us work together and move the team forward very quickly.” he added.

    Chandhok will add the Formula E Championship to his Le Mans programme which will continue next month with the iconic Le Mans 24hrs. Chandhok will race in the Le Mans 24hrs for the third consecutive year.

    Chandhok is supported by long term supporters JK Tyre, as well as Tag Heuer,  Sidvin and the AVT group.

    eom/Adrenna Communications Release

  • Gautam Singhania to take part in an International drift competition

    Chennai, 22 May 2014: Gautam Singhania will take part in the open drift event of the Nissan Extreme Torque Show to be held in Sunderland (EnglaGautam Singhania car. FMSCI picnd) on May 25 and 26 as an official Indian entry endorsed by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI).

    Drifting is a driving technique where the driver uses throttle, brakes, clutch, gear shifting and steering input to keep the car in a condition of oversteer while manoeuvring from turn to turn. Competitors are judged according to the speed, angle, showmanship and line taken through a corner or set of corners.
    Seen as an extremely exciting sport, drifting is accessible, safe and affordable, and fits nicely as a demanding yet a leisure motorsport activity and is growing in popularity especially in the Asia Pacific region.
    This was noted during the FIA’s Asia Pacific Motor Sport Forum held in Colombo last month where the Chinese Taipei Motor Sports Association (CTMSA) extended to other ASNs (National Sporting Authority) in the Region an invitation to participate in their inaugural Green Drifting Gymkhana Prix 2015 to be held in Kaohsiung.
    “Nine ASNs have already shown interest,” the CTMSA said in a communiqué.
     The FMSCI has also proposed to send an official Indian team.
    “Drifting is very exciting to watch, and I am sure being a viewer-friendly and easy-to-practice sport, it will go a long way in promoting motorsports amongst the auto buffs in the country,” said Akbar Ebrahim who was recently nominated by the FMSCI as India’s Deputy representative in the FIA.
    A racing enthusiast since his college days, Singhania on his debut won the amateur category in the All Stars European Drifting Championship in Malta in September 2012, and last year unveiled India’s first purpose-built drifting car. The Super Car Club that he co-founded is promoting drifting as an auto sport in a big way in the country.
    “Gautam Singhania’s passion for motorsports in general and his pioneering effort in popularizing drifting in India is well known,” said Ebrahim.
    Earlier this month, Singhania, who is the Chairman and Managing Director of Raymond Group, won both races in the opening round of the 2014 Pirelli Ferrari Open held at Brands Hatch in the United Kingdom. Singhania also holds the lap record at the Buddh International Circuit in a non-open wheel car.
    Gautam Singhania said: “I am delighted to represent India in the forthcoming Nissan Extreme Torque Show in England. I am looking forward to participate in this event. Drifting as a motorsport has always attracted and intrigued me. I always wanted to learn this form of motorsport and will definitely pursue this sport further. The drifting car is a testimony to that and I have been practicing in it to hone my drifting skills.”
    eom/FMSCI press release

  • Gearbox failure costs Karun Chandhok and Murphy Prototypes another finish

    Karun Chandhok photo by Adrenna Communications
    Karun Chandhok photo by Adrenna Communications

    Imola, 19 May 2014: Indian racing driver Karun Chandhok and his team Murphy Prototypes were forced to retire from Round 2 of the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) at Imola in Italy due to a gearbox failure. The team was running in 2nd place when they were first given a drive through penalty and then suffered a differential failure on the very next lap. Chandhok, who is making his first visit to the Autodromo Enzo & Dino Ferrari in Imola, topped the timesheets in the first practice session held yesterday but could not get a lap in at the race.

    Starting round two of the 2014 European Le Mans Series from row two on the grid in fourth position, Rodolfo Gonzalez started the race for the Hertz Car Sales sponsored team. Initially holding his fourth position, Gonzalez moved into third place before making an early pitstop to replace a left rear tyre. During the middle part of the race, Rodolfo set the fastest lap and with it moved up to second position. However his luck would soon change with a stop and go penalty quickly followed by retirement with differential failure.

    Confident in the knowledge that both their car and the new driver line up of Karun Chandhok, Nathanael Berthon and Rodolfo Gonzalez are very fast, the Murphy Prototypes team begin their preparation for their third participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the official test on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June.

    The former Formula 1 driver was disappointed after losing out on another podium finish for the second race in a row. Karun commented, “Obviously it’s very disappointing this weekend. Unfortunately Rodolfo is in his learning stage in Sportscar racing and he had one too many incidents which has cost us, but he will learn hopefully and its better he does his learning now than at Le Mans. I think we could have had a podium at this race. Looking ahead to Le Mans it’s a long week so we just have to pace ourselves. As a team we’ve got two rookies so we just need to be patient and remember that it’s a 24 hour race.”

    Greg Murphy, Owner, Murphy Prototypes was also unable to hide his disappointment. He said,
    “Naturally we’re very disappointed not to have finished the race today. We came into this weekend with a very strong driver lineup and a car that we knew could win. However this was always going to be a test for Le Mans in June and I still believe we’ve got a really fast driver lineup and we should be in really good shape for the official Le Mans test in two weeks.”.

    Karun was also quick to thank his long time supporters. He said, “I would like to thank my long term supporters JK Tyre, with whom I am entering into my 15th year of association as well as Tag Heuer,  Sidvin and the AVT group who have all been very supportive towards my Le Mans campaign.”

    http://www.facebook.com/karunchandhok

    https://www.twitter.com/karunchandhok

    http://www.youtube.com/karunracing

    www.karunchandhok.com

    eom/Adrenna Communications release