INDIA in F1

Category: Non-F1

  • Rupert Svendsen-Cook wins thriller at Bahrain; Ghorpade 13th

    Sakhir (Bahrain), 29 Nov 2013:  British driver Rupert Svendsen-Cook took his second consecutive win as he won Race 1 of Round 2 of the MRF Challenge 2013 at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir, Bahrain. Starting third on the grid, Svensen-Cook got a brilliant start to pass both pole-sitter Tio Ellinas and Arthur Pic around the outside into the first corner on lap 1. Svendsen-Cook led from then on but was pushed all the way to the chequered flag with both Pic and Ellinas right on his tail till the chequered flag.

    At the start of the race, both Ellinas and Pic started well and were side-by-side on the run-up to the first corner. As Ellinas and Pic squeezed each other, Svendsen-Cook took the lead by going around the outside of both of them. Pic then got a run on Svendsen-Cook as they approached turn 4 but could not make a

    From left: Arthur Pic, Svendsen Cook and Tio Ellinas at Bahrain on Friday. An Adrenna photo
    From left: Arthur Pic, Svendsen Cook and Tio Ellinas at Bahrain on Friday. An Adrenna photo

    move stick and ended up losing out to Ellinas, who overtook him into turn 4. Ellinas and Pic continued to battle as Svendsen-Cook pulled away at the front. Meanwhile, Harry Tincknell started charging through the field after dropping back to 8th place and was soon up to 4th position. The safety car had to come out on lap 2 as Sam Dejonghe was punted into a roll. With the car upside down Marshalls rushed to the car as the driver walked away unhurt.

    At the safety car re-start Svendsen-Cook led as Ellinas was busy holding off Pic. Ellinas made a mistake in the last corner of lap 4 which helped Pic jump him into the first corner. Pic set the fastest lap of the race as he started catching Svendsen-Cook. With two laps to go Ellinas joined the fight with the top three being separated by less than a second. Svendsen-Cook managed to hold off both Pic and Ellinas to win the race. Tincknell finished in 4th place ahead of Shinya Michimi and Yudai Jinkawa, who will start on pole position for tomorrow’s reverse-grid race. Brazilian driver Renan Guerra had finished in 5th but received a 30 second penalty.

    Race winner Rupert Svendsen-Cook was thrilled to take his second victory in a row. He commented, “It feels absolutely great to win again in the series. This has done wonders for my confidence and my pace is really good. I saw Pic and Ellinas battling and I decided to go around the outside of turn 1. After that I just had to keep them behind and even though they were quick I managed to hold on for the win. Tomorrow will be tougher but I am sure I can get a good result.”

    Second place man Arthur Pic commented, “I had a good start in comparison with Tio but not as good as Rupert. Tio and me were side-by-side but he was fair and left me enough room. My first lap was not so good as I dropped back to 3rd place. After the safety car I got past Tio when he made a mistake. I was catching Rupert but made a mistake as well. I am not sure if I could have passed him but would have definitely tried. The pace was really good today so hopefully I can push for the win tomorrow.”

    Third place finisher Tio Ellinas was felt he should have finished higher up after securing a double pole yesterday. He commented, “I did not get a good start and lost out to Rupert and Arthur into turn 1. I managed to get past Arthur in turn 4 before the safety car came out. After that I made a mistake on the last corner and Arthur got past me again. I think the top 3 were so similar on pace that we could not overtake without the other one making a mistake. I will have a fresh set of tyres tomorrow so Race 3&4 should be a lot better and I will fight for the win.”

    Indian drivers Parth Ghorpade and Raj Bharath finished in 13th & 14th place while Vikash Anand retired at the start with a mechanical problem. Bharath, driving in the series for the first time started 19th and fought his way up to 14th position.

    Race 2 of the day was cancelled due the bad light and will take place in the following round. 

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  • MRF Challenge 2013 heads to Bahrain for Round 2

    Chennai, 27 Nov 2013:  Round 2 of the MRF Challenge 2013 season will kick-off this weekend with the Indian based series heading to the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir, Bahrain. The FIA sanctioned MRF Challenge will continue to mix it with the elite in international motorsport as it will serve as one of the main support races for the FIA World Endurance Championship round. This will be the first time that an Indian series, which includes race cars made in India and run on Indian tyres, will race internationally. This weekend will see 4 races of the MRF Formula 2000 cars in action, India’s faster single-seater cars.

    The MRF Challenge also announced the addition of young Indian driver Raj Bharath who will join the championship in Round 2 at Bahrain. He will join other Indian drivers Parth Ghorpade and Vikash Anand on the grid. The battle will resume with Formula Renault 3.5 driver Arthur Pic defending his championship lead against GP3 driver Tio Ellinas and British driver Rupert Svendsen-Cook. The weekend will have 2 free practice sessions, one qualifying session and 4 races this weekend. Other races this weekend include the FIA WEC and the Porsche GT3 Cup.

    Arun Mammen, Managing Director, MRF Tyres, commented, “We had a great start to the season in India and now we move on to Bahrain for Round 2 of the MRF Challenge 2013. We are proud to be the first Indian tyre manufacturer to race our tyres internationally in a single-seater series. This is a huge step not only for us, but Indian motorsport as well. The circuit is challenging for drivers and we are confident of another action packed race this weekend.”

    The MRF Challenge boasts some of the top upcoming drivers across the world with Formula Renault 3.5 driver Arthur Pic leading the charge. Both Pic and second placed Tio Ellinas were busy after Round 1 as they tested the GP2 car in Abu Dhabi. GP2 Series and Formula Renault 3.5 both serve as the top feeder series for Formula 1 and it is a great for the MRF Challenge to have drivers of this calibre competing here.

    The Indian challenge will be boosted with the addition of young driver Raj Bharath joining the competition. Bharath had a successful year in the Formula Masters China Series with race wins, pole positions and podium finishes. Bharath and Parth Ghorpade are the only two Indians to race in internationally single-seater categories this year, along with MRF driver Narain Karthikeyan.

    J Anand, Managing Director, JA Motorsports, strongly believes that it can only help young Indian drivers to compete with the best drivers from Europe. He commented, “Our objective was always to build an international series attracting the best drivers from across the globe. This also helps our young Indian drivers develop as they work and compete against a good line-up of drivers. Bahrain will be a new challenge for all the drivers and they are all very excited to be driving over here.”

    About MRF Challenge 2013

    The four round calendar will include 14 races, and will see the leading single-seater racing category in India go international with two rounds to be held in Bahrain in November and December. The final round of the championship will be held in Chennai in February. MRF also confirmed a prize money of Rs. 6,500,000 for the winners of the Championship.

    In its second year, the MRF Challenge 2013 will feature 18 MRF Formula 2000 race cars, which have been made in India by JA Motorsport based in Coimbatore, in collaboration with Dallara, world’s largest racing car manufacturer and also Jayem Automotives Ltd, which is a strategic partner for Tata Motors Ltd. The Formula 3 style car has been built by JA Motorsport in technical collaboration with Dallara, and is considered to be the fastest of its kind in Asia. The MRF Formula 2000 is powered by a 2.0 litre 210 BHP Renault Sport Engine and will have a Hewland 6-Speed sequential gearbox. The race car has also been crash tested to FIA F3 safety standards and will race with MRF ZLO slick and wet tyres.

    Please go to www.mrfracing.in for information on Championship Standings.

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  • TVS Racing’s Aravind KP wins MRF National Supercross Championship

    Bengaluru, 21 Nov 2013: Aravind K P of TVS Racing, romped home in his own true style, winning the second moto of the fifth and final leg of the MRF FMSCI MOGRIP National Supercross Championship, which was held over the weekend at the makeshift CODISSIA track in Coimbatore.

    Having already notched up a comfortable lead of 31 points in the championship over his nearest rival, Javed Shaikh, a privateer from Goa, Aravind needed to win at least one moto to clinch the title. An eager Aravind however pushed a bit too hard in the first Moto and ended up finishing third and adding only 16 points to his kitty.

    His TVS Racing teammate Harith Noah took the first place while privateer C D Jinan from Kerala came second. The thirst for victory brought out a completely different rider in him in Moto 2.

    Despite stiff competition from Jinan, a determined Aravind K P rode head down in a steady line, with clean and confident jumps to emerge the clear winner. He finished with 173 points, claiming the trophy in the Foreign Open Class (250 – 500cc).

  • Motorcycling legend Mick Doohan signs up for ROC 2013

    Mick Doohan at ROC. A file photo from Race of Champions.
    Mick Doohan at ROC. A file photo from Race of Champions.

    The 2013 Race Of Champions will feature one of the greatest riders in the history of motorcycling as Mick Doohan has signed up for the event at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium on December 14-15.

    The Australian dominated his sport in the Nineties, collecting a haul of over 50 wins and five straight 500cc MotoGP world championships for Honda from 1994 to 1998. This glorious run was sandwiched by two serious crashes, the second of which broke his leg in several places and ended his competitive career.

    Doohan knows how to handle four-wheeled machinery too – indeed he even tested a Williams F1 car at Barcelona in 1998 – and he has proved his ability at five previous appearances at Race Of Champions events. The Australian took three wins last year and reached the individual quarter-finals before falling to seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher. Now Doohan will be back for more in Bangkok next month, where he will also partner four-time V8 Supercar Champion Jamie Whincup for Team Australia in the ROC Nations Cup.

    Doohan said: “It’s a real privilege to be coming back to the Race Of Champions and to have another chance to team up with Jamie, who lives near me on the Gold Coast. Of course it’s tough for a bike racer to come up against so many great drivers but I’ll be determined not to let the side down. I don’t get too much competitive action these days but I have a kart circuit at home and I have a buggy with a 600cc engine so I’ll try to get out on that when I can. The Race Of Champions is friendly off the track but that all evaporates when we’re waiting on the start line so I’d better be prepared…”

    Race organiser Fredrik Johnsson added: “It’s brilliant to have Mick back in the line-up for the Race Of Champions. He is a true legend of his sport and he has plenty of skill on four wheels too, as last year’s performance proved. After helping Team Australia to the ROC Nations Cup semi-finals, he reached the individual quarter-finals where he was beaten by Michael Schumacher: no shame in that! So there is every reason for the rest of the field to be wary if they come up against this true motor sport great. We hope plenty of Australians and bike fans will make the trip to cheer him on.”

    Held every year since 1988, the Race Of Champions brings together the world’s greatest drivers from motor sport’s main disciplines – including Formula 1, World Rally, Le Mans, MotoGP, Nascar, IndyCar, Touring Cars and the X-Games – and sets them free to battle head-to-head in identical machinery.

    ROC 2013 will take place on a specially constructed tarmac track with two parallel lanes winding their way round Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium. Drivers pair up for the ROC Nations Cup, this year scheduled forSaturday 14 December, ahead of the individual Race Of Champions on Sunday 15 December.

    ROC features stars from all over the world: alongside Doohan and Whincup, seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher, Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen and 2013 World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier have already signed up. The rest of the field will be announced in the run-up to next month’s event.

    Tickets are now available from www.raceofchampions.com where you can also find further information and access to high-resolution imagery. Sign up for all the latest updates at www.raceofchampions.com, Race Of Champions on Facebook or @raceofchampions and the hashtag #BangROC on Twitter.

  • Triple ROC ‘Champion of Champions’ Mattias Ekström returns

    • Three-time ROC ‘Champion of Champions’ Mattias Ekström will return to the Race Of Champions at Bangkok in December
    • The Swedish DTM driver has twice defeated F1 great Michael Schumacher in the ROC Grand Final (see picture)
    • Ekström joins a 2013 line-up that includes Schumacher, Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen, four-time V8 Supercar champion Jamie Whincup and new World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier
    • Tickets are now available from the website www.raceofchampions.com

    Triple ROC ‘Champion of Champions’ Mattias Ekström will make a return to the Race Of Champions at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium on December 14-15.

    The Swede has won two DTM championships for Audi in 2004 and 2007 and he still competes in the German touring car series. But he has also appeared in eight WRC rallies and raced in Nascar. This year Ekström has spread his wings yet further with a successful appearance in the legendary V8 Supercar race at Bathurst, even leading the field at one point. He also raced strongly in the X-Games in Munich and took second place on his European Rallycross debut in his home country.

    Such a rare mix of driving skill makes Ekström a maestro at the Race Of Champions, where he has won the overall ‘Champion of Champions’ title no less than three times, all in different stadia. In 2006 Ekström beat home hero Sébastien Loeb in his own rally car at the Stade de France in Paris before twice defeating Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher in the Grand Final – first at London’s Wembley Stadium in 2007 then at Beijing’s ‘Bird’s Nest’ Olympic Stadium in 2009. If he can repeat the feat in Bangkok he will equal Didier Auriol’s all-time record of four ROC triumphs. Ekström has also partnered Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen to ROC Nations Cup glory for Team Scandinavia in 2005 and the duo will now be reunited in Bangkok.

    Ekström said: “I have many happy memories from the Race Of Champions and I’m delighted to be back this year – and to be teaming up with Tom again. It’s always a pleasure to race against the world’s best drivers and I’ve had some strong results down the years. What helps me is that I’ve been lucky to race many good touring cars, sportscars and rally cars but everyone knows it is a unique event. You have two minutes to show what you can do – and if you do it spotlessly you go further. I once won a race by a thousandth of a second: with margins like that you also need luck.”

    Race organiser Fredrik Johnsson said: “Mattias is one of the most successful drivers in the history of the Race Of Champions. So it is great for us to have him back in the field – and he will again start as one of the favourites for success as he bids to equal ROC’s all-time record. He and Tom will make up a formidable partnership in the ROC Nations Cup too and we hope to see a big crowd cheering them all on in Bangkok.”

    Held every year since 1988, the Race Of Champions brings together the world’s greatest drivers from motor sport’s main disciplines – including Formula 1, World Rally, Le Mans, MotoGP, Nascar, IndyCar, Touring Cars and the X-Games – and sets them free to battle head-to-head in identical machinery.

    ROC 2013 will take place on a specially constructed tarmac track with two parallel lanes winding their way round Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium. Drivers pair up for the ROC Nations Cup, this year scheduled forSaturday 14 December, ahead of the individual Race Of Champions on Sunday 15 December.

    ROC features stars from all over the world: along with Schumacher and Kristensen, four-time V8 Supercar champion Jamie Whincup and 2013 World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier have already signed up and the rest of the field will be announced in the run-up to December’s event.

    Tickets are now available from www.raceofchampions.com where you can also find further information. Sign up for all the latest updates at www.raceofchampions.com, Race Of Champions on Facebook or @raceofchampions and the hashtag #BangROC on Twitter.

    Drivers already announced for the 2013 Race Of Champions:

    • Michael SCHUMACHER, seven-time Formula 1 World Champion
    • Tom KRISTENSEN, nine-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner, World Endurance Champion 2013
    • Sébastien OGIER, World Rally Champion 2013
    • Jamie WHINCUP, V8 Supercar Champion 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008
    • Narain KARTHIKEYAN, Formula 1 driver and ROC Asia Champion 2012
    • Karun CHANDHOK, Formula 1 driver and ROC Asia Champion 2012
    • David COULTHARD, 13-time Formula 1 grand prix winner
    • Susie WOLFF, development driver for the Williams F1 team
    • Mattias EKSTRÖM, DTM ace and triple ROC Champion of Champions

      Mattias Ekstrom and Micheal Schumacher at an earlier RoC. Photo by RoC media
      Mattias Ekstrom and Micheal Schumacher at an earlier RoC. Photo by RoC media

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  • Gaurav Gill/Musa Sherif thrill the crowds; Ghosh/ Naik win INRC title

    Tumkur, 10 Nov 2013: Speed maestro Gaurav Gill and experienced navigator Musa Sherif topped the time sheets and cheered the crowds with their thrilling drifts and daring speed runs in the SUV class as Mahindra Adventure Rally team but all eyes were on reigning National champions Amittrajit Ghosh and co-driver Ashwin Naik, who clocked steady timings. Sporting MRF colours, the duo clinched their second consecutive National title as the IMG 39th K-1000 rally, the fourth round of the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC), concluded near here on Sunday.

    Driving a Mahindra XUV 50, the newly-crowned Asia Pacific Rally Champion Gill, has to be satisfied with the SUV Rally Championship title. He is not in contention for the INRC title as he entered a non-INRC class. Teammates Lohitt Urs and co-driver Bonnie Thomas finished second. Malaysian rally ace and former WRC (production) and APRC winner Karamjit Singh and co-driver Jagdev Singh, who set the best times after Gill in their factory-prepared Polo R2 won the Indian Rally Championship.

    Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Cedia in Group N 1600 class, Ghosh and Naik clocked 1hr, 34 mins and 46.6 seconds. Rahul Kantharaj and Vivek Bhat, who were third overnight, took the second place pushing Prithvi Dominic and Pruthivi Sthal to third.

    Ghosh will be out of country and will be missing the final round at Chikmaglur next month due to last-minute change in the dates. “I am very happy to clinch the championship here. We were under tremendous pressure but we managed to drive safely and clock steady times,” said the Kolkota rallyist, whose father Arindam Ghosh won the K-1000 in 1981.

    Driving a Volkswagen Polo rally car in the INRC 1600cc class, championship leader Arjun Rao and co-driver Satish Rajagopal, who were trailing Phalguna Urs and Anoop Kumar by a narrow margin yesterday, managed to gain 17 seconds in SS 8 to pip them to second place. Sirish Chandran and co-driver Nikhil Pai of Slideways Industries, also in a Volkswagen Polo rally car, came third.

    In the Junior INRC class, Suhem MK and navigator Jeevarathinam came first followed by Aroor Viram Rao and co-driver Somayya AG. Rohan Pawar and Arjun Mehta finished third while Championship leader Asad Khan and co-driver Zayne Asrar could manage only a sixth place.

    Ten cars out of the 37 that took the starting flag failed to finish the rally. The fifth and final round of the INRC will be held at Chikmaglur on Dec 6, 7 and 8.

    Provisional Results (unaudited):

    INRC Overall / 2000cc: 1. Amittrajit Ghosh / Ashwin Naik (Cedia)  1hr, 34mins, 46.6 secs; 2. Rahul Kanthraj / Vivek Bhatt 1:36:39.2. 3. Arjun Rao / Satish Rajagopal (VW Polo) 01:37:36.0.

    INRC / 2000cc: 1. Amittrajit Ghosh / Ashwin Naik (Cedia)  1hr, 34mins, 46.6 secs; 2. Rahul Kanthraj / Vivek Bhatt 1:36:39.2. 3. Pruthvi Dominic / Purthivi Sthal (Cedia) 1:45:45.1.

    INRC 1600cc:1. Arjun Rao / Satish Rajagopal (VW Polo) 01:37:36.0; 2. Phalguna V Urs / Anoop Kumar DS (VW Polo) 01:37:37.4; 3. Sirish Chandran / Nikhil Pai (VW Polo, Slidways Industries) 01:37:45.1.

    JINRC: 1. Suhem MK / J Jeevarathinam 1:40:49.7; 2. Aroor Vikram Rao / Somayya AG  1:42:45.6; 3. Rohan Pawar / Arjun Mehta 1:44:54.4.

    SUV NRC:1. Gaurav Gill / Musa Sherif (Mahindra Adventure Rally) 1:30:56.3; 2. Lohitt Urs / Bonnie Thomas (Mahindra Adventure Rally) 01:35:24.5.

    IRC:1. Karamjit Singh / Jagdev Singh (VW Polo R2, Slideways Industries) 1:31:50.4; 2. Sumit Panjabi / Prakhyath Shirole (Cedia) 1:53:36.51.

    Amittrajit Ghosh wins K1000, becomes INRC 2013 championeom

  • Clubs table FIA election rules changes: can they cleanse the FIA’s systems

    8 Nov 2013: This year’s FIA election has the highest ever candidate eligibility requirement in the federation’s history. Now in a move to improve the FIA’s election system some clubs have tabled rule changes to this year’s General Assembly to dramatically cut the qualifying hurdle that a candidate must clear in order to enter the race. David Ward, a candidate in the 2013 FIA election, has warmly welcomed the proposed rule changes which “if passed will be long overdue action to reduce the FIA’s democratic deficit”.

    File photo of David Ward. Team David Ward 2013
    File photo of David Ward. Team David Ward 2013

    To be eligible in the 2013 FIA election a candidate has to submit a list of Deputies, Vice Presidents and supporting clubs totalling 37. The new club proposals would reduce the list to four running mates supported by three club – a total of seven. Read the statute proposals here.

    Ward strongly supports the proposed changes but warns that “It is likely that the FIA leadership will try to block democratic reform”. In a letter to FIA clubs he says that “they will propose referring them to the Statutes Review Commission and encourage the World Councils to oppose a vote at the General Assembly”. This will be the third time that clubs have tried to reform the FIA’s presidential election system. In 2007, a similar proposal was tabled by the AAA, the ANWB and the ADAC in support of “a more democratic and open election procedure”. Another attempt was lost by just one vote in 2008. Copies of the proposed statute amendments are available at:

    Ward goes on to say that “Governance reform rather than who will be the next FIA President is the major issue of the 2013 election…Rather than wait for more internal review the FIA membership now has the opportunity to vote for change”. Calling on clubs to vote for the reform proposals he argues that If approved they will “reinvigorate the FIA’s democratic system” making it “more accountable and fair”.

    In support of the proposed reforms Ward has prepared a briefing paper comparing the eligibility requirements used in recent FIA elections and which also provides a critique of the weaknesses of the federation’s 2013 election system.

    For further information, please visit www.wardandteam2013.com

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  • Volkswagen Motorsport’s Rally-Spec Polo R2 testing begins at K1000 today

    Malaysian rally ace and Team Slideways Industries driver Karamjit Singh to test the Polo R2 during the upcoming IMS K-1000 Rally

    • Polo R2 will start competing in the Indian Rally Championship from 2014 season

    Pune, November 5, 2013 – Volkswagen Motorsport India will begin the testing of Polo R2, a specially developed rally car, during the upcoming IMS K-1000 Rally at Bangalore. Multi-APRC title holder Karamjit Singh, who has been driving for Team Slideways Industries, will get behind the wheel of the newly developed prototype. The Polo R2 will compete in a new category that will be introduced by FMSCI in the Indian Rally Championship (IRC) 2014.   

    Volkswagen Motorsport India has been the pioneer of one-make car racing series in India. Polo Cup started in 2010 and is now in its fourth successful season. While young talent has been identified, trained and promoted to international racing series through the Polo R Cup series over the last few years, it was time for Volkswagen Motorsport India to expand to other forms of motorsport in India. The logical step was taken with the extension of technical support to rally teams competing with Volkswagen Polo in the Indian National Rally Championship.

    In an effort to further promote our association with Indian motorsport, Volkswagen Motorsport India has now developed its first prototype of the Volkswagen Polo R2 – a rally-spec version of the Polo. The Polo R2 will compete in a new category R2 that will be introduced by FMSCI in IRC from 2014 season. Before entering the competitive season, the Polo R2 will be tested at upcoming IMS K-1000 Rally in Bangalore and then at the Chikmaglur Rally in December 2013.

    The Polo R2 is powered with a four cylinder 1.6-litre MPI petrol engine that produces over 130 PS of power. The engine has been mated with a 5-speed manual transmission. Other modifications to the car include Reiger Suspension and uprated Alcon brakes (285mm front disc and 255mm rear disc). The bodywork modifications comprise of aerodynamic body kit, rear spoiler, a roof vent and stripped interiors. From safety point of view, the car has been equipped with FIA-spec roll-cage, fire extinguisher system and OMP rally seats with six-point harness for the driver and navigator. The Polo R2 will run on 15-inch alloy wheels shod with JK Rally tyres.

    Prithviraj Siddappa, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport India, said “The first running in of the car has been done and the feedback has been good so far. Karamjit Singh has been driving the Group N Polo this season for which we have been providing technical and spares support at the rally stages. He will now move up to the R2 which is a more powerful car. His inputs are crucial for us in developing the car further and we hope to see some positive steps after the K-1000 Rally.”

    Mahesh Kodumudi, President and Managing Director, Volkswagen India Private Limited, commented “The Volkswagen Polo is a perfect example of German engineering. And when the engineering is right, it is always possible to extract more out of the car. Pushing the performance of the car to the limits and putting it through extreme driving will only bring out the Polo’s real potential. I believe that the Polo R2 is our next step in showcasing the capabilities of the car.”

    Motor sports enthusiasts interested in getting further information can log on to the website, www.volkswagen-motorsport.in. This website displays information about all the activities undertaken by Volkswagen Motorsport India.

    Follow Volkswagen Motorsport India on Facebook: www.facebook.com/vwindiam and Twitter: www.twitter.com/vwmotorsportind

    About Volkswagen Motorsport

    In more than 40 years of motorsport history Volkswagen has been setting standards primarily in three areas: The brand celebrated exploits in touring car racing, formula racing and rally racing.


    The brand’s history in motorsport started in 1966, in formula racing. Formula V – “V” stood for Volkswagen – became an important career step for drivers like Keke Rosberg or Niki Lauda. With 58 hp and the robust technology of the Beetle it offered favourably priced entry and high-quality racing for young drivers. Later, one-make cups like Formula König powered by Volkswagen and Formula Volkswagen built upon this line and consistently followed through on the one-make cup idea with standard chassis. In 2008 Formula ADAC powered by Volkswagen started to continue this tradition.

    In comparison with other manufacturers Volkswagen set the pace on the formula stage as well. Between 1979 and 1994 Volkswagen, as a Formula 3 engine manufacturer, won 55 international titles, including seven in Germany. Since September 2007 Volkswagen has been competing in the Formula 3 Euro Series, since 2008 in the German Formula 3 Cup and since 2009 in the British Formula 3, and with success: 2009 saw the title wins in the ­German and British Championships, and 2010 in all three series. At the prestigious Formula 3 finale in Macau in November 2009 and 2010 Edoardo Mortara celebrated wins “powered by Volkswagen”.

    Successes in rally sport

    While the first off-road excursions date back all the way to the 1970s, Volkswagen has been systematically promoting young talent since 1980. For half a decade, the Golf Rally Cup offered optimum opportunities to young drivers. Concurrently, Volkswagen in the 1986 World Rally Championship (WRC) clinched the title win in Group A with the Golf and driver Kenneth Eriksson. In cross-country rally sport the brand achieved its first big exploit by winning the 1980 Dakar Rally. From 2009 to 2011 Volkswagen became the first manufacturer to win the legendary rallye with a car powered by a Diesel engine. Volkswagen created history once again by re-entering the WRC 2013 and winning the championship in the debut season itself.

    Attractive one-make cups in touring car racing

    In more than three decades Volkswagen has shaped the touring car scene as well. The Scirocco Cup, as the first one-make cup from 1976 onwards, produced a subsequent Formula 1 driver, Manfred Winkelhock. It was followed by the Golf Cup and the Lupo/Polo Cup from which numerous talented drivers managed to ascend to higher-level series. Currently, the Scirocco R-Cup is setting bench-marks in the European racing circuits.

    Follow the link to take a visual sneak-peek into the history of Volkswagen Motorsport:

    http://www.volkswagen-motorsport.com/index.php?id=128&L=1

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  • K1000 at Gubbi, Tumkur on Nov 9, 10

    Tumkur, 8 Nov 2013: 39th K1000, the fourth round of Indian National Rally Championship of 2013 is scheduled for this weekend. After a long hiatus the rally returns back to its older territory, famous for the car breaking mining stages near Gubbi, Tumkur.

    As year the rally moves from the previous few years’ Sidlaghatta‘s forest stages to the age old mining area near Kibbanahalli cross, the transport section is much bigger and makes most of the rally’s cumulative distance. The weather is mostly dry and dusty, and temperature is expected to hover around 30+ °Celsius, but must confess to its spectacularly scenic countryside around the stages.

    There are three physical stages, in which are run totally thrice for each of them. Total distance of the rally is 562.48 km, total liaison distance is 453.37 km and a total SS distance at 109.11 km. There are six stages for Saturday, 9th November 2013 and third loop of 3 stages for the final day on Sunday, 10th November 2013.

    That being the difference of venue, coming to the rally cars in India which are finally evolving to the much modern day models like Volkswagen Polo, Mitsubishi Evo X in the top level competition makes the championship much more exciting.Day one starts with a long liaison of 88.96 from the rally HQ to the service park. Rally starts on Saturday with the opening stage, at 10:13 hrs with the Alpha Stage [14.50 km], quickly followed with the Beta Stage [14.55 km] and later the India Mines Stage [7.32 km]. This completes the morning set of stages, and the much battered cars and crews head to the service are for the much needed pampering for the both.Post a mid-day service, at the service park located near to the stages adjacent to NH-206, and the repetition of morning’s loop of stages starts at 13:12 hrs, for the first car pass. Day’s action with the total six special stages of the day and the return liaison to the Rally HQ will conclude the day’s action.

    The final day’s action on Sunday, will start with the same long liaison and the remaining third loop of the stages, with service breaks before and after the specials. The final return liaison will end the rally back at the Rally HQ, with the announcement of results and Podium ceremony.

    Edditor’s note: to be edited

    Source: ralliheart.com

  • Rupert Svendsen-Cook wins MRF Challenge Race 2

    Greater Noida, 27 Oct 2013:  British driver Rupert Svendsen-Cook managed to win Race 2 of the MRF Challenge 2013 at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida even after accidentally hitting the pit lane limiter in the final corner on the last lap. Sam Dejonghe took his first podium of the season as he fended off a charging Tio Ellinas to finish in 2nd position. Tio Ellinas with his double podium finish has taken the championship lead, a release from Adrenna said about the event conducted as support race before the Indian GP

    From left: Dejonghe (2nd), Svendsen-Cook (winner), Ellinas (3rd) on the podium after winning the MRF Challenge 2013 Race 2 on Sunday at BIC. An MRF photo
    From left: Dejonghe (2nd), Svendsen-Cook (winner), Ellinas (3rd) on the podium after winning the MRF Challenge 2013 Race 2 on Sunday at BIC. An MRF photo

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    Sean Walkinshaw started on pole for the reverse-grid Race 2 along with Svendsen-Cook on the front row. Walkinshaw got bogged down at the start allowing a stream of cars past him as Svendsen-Cook went into the lead. Dejonghe moved into 2nd place with Yudai Jinkawa following him in 3rd place. Behind them Race 1 winner Arthur Pic was in 4th place with Tio Ellinas in 5th place. Pic tried to go around the outside of Jinkawa on lap 2 but ran wide, allowing Tio Ellinas to get past as well. Ellinas then pulled off a great overtaking move at Turn 6 to get past Jinkawa and move into 3rd place. Svendsen-Cook comfortably led with Dejonghe unable match his pace due to a throttle problem. Svendsen-Cook came into the final corner on the final lap and accidently hit the pit lane speed limiter, which resulted in him coasting across the finish line. Ellinas meanwhile closed in on Dejonghe on the last lap but was unable to get past as they crossed the finish side-by-side. Vikash Anand finished in a creditable 11th position while the other two Indians were unlucky with Ashwin Sundar and Parth Ghorpade both retiring.

    Race winner Rupert Svendsen-Cook was excited to win after being contesting his last race over 18 months back. He commented, “Winning on my first race weekend in 18 months is amazing and I am really happy. Pressing the pit lane limiter on my last lap was scary but luckily I had built enough of a lead to finish ahead. I have not been happy with the car the whole weekend and have also been very rusty. The car felt much better today and I got a great start and after that it was all about maintaining the pace. The MRF team has been really supportive so a big thank you to them”

    GP3 driver Tio Ellinas was ruing the time lost behind Jinkawa but was happy with another podium finish. He said, “My start was not so good but I managed to stay 5th. Arthur (Pic) went off track while trying to pass Jinkawa and after that we were side by side but I just got ahead. By the time I passed Jinkawa the gap to Sam (Dejonghe) was too big but I managed to catch him on the last lap. I tried my best but could not get past. I am very happy to be leading the championship after the first round and look forward to Bahrain now. “

    Sam Dejonghe finished in 2nd place after struggling with a throttle problem for most of the race. He said “I started on new tyres and they took 3-4 laps to get up to maximum temperature. By the time I could start catching Rupert I had a problem with the throttle which forced me off couple of times. Tio (Ellinas) was closing in fast and was really close on the last lap. I just managed to hold him off. It feels great to be on the podium so look forward to racing at Bahrain. “

    MRF Challenge 2013 Calendar:

    Round 1: October 25-27, 2013, New Delhi, Buddh International Circuit (Formula One Support Race)

    Round 2: November 28-30, 2013, Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit (World Endurance Championship Support Race)

    Round 3: December 19-21, 2013, Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit (Gulf Racing Festival)

    Round 4: February 14-16, 2014, Chennai, Madras Motor Race Trust

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