INDIA in F1

Tag: Gautam Singhania

  • Gymkhana is accessible, affordable and entertaining, says Gautam Hari Singhania

    Gymkhana is accessible, affordable and entertaining, says Gautam Hari Singhania

    Gautam Singhania, the Indian representative in the World Motorsports Council addressing a Press Conference in Mumbai to launch the Asian Auto Gymkhana on Friday. An INDIAinF1 image by Rahul Reghu

    Mumbai: Quotes from the Press Conference held ahead of the Asia Auto Gymkhana Competition to be held on Saturday and Sunday at the Raymond Drift Track in Thane here.

    Gautam Hari Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, Raymond Ltd. and member of the FIA World Motorsports Council said “As an avid motorsports enthusiast I am thrilled to support and be part of this FIA recognised initiative held in India for the very first time. Through AAGC the idea is to popularise motorsports by making it more accessible, more affordable and an entertaining event. We also want to give participants the recognition that they deserve. The AAGC is a great beginning and in future, I hope to work with colleagues and representatives across the world and more so in India, to bring in many more such motorsports initiatives.”

    Dr. Kwong Yeung, President & CEO of AAGC said, “We are happy to host Round 2 of the AAGC 2018 here in India, a country with so many young, talented and ambitious motorsports aspirants. What makes the sport even more special is that Gymkhana competitions are affordable and that any car can be enrolled into the competition, with driver skills as the core criteria. For Round 2, we have some very promising drivers, including a very talented Indian driver line-up. I keenly look forward to this weekend event.”

    Mr. Sirish Vissa, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport India said, “We are happy to provide our Volkswagen Polo stunt cars to the drivers. They are some of the best gymkhana drivers from their respective countries and would be driving some of the best cars we have to offer. I am excited for the upcoming two days of the competition.” He further added, “We strive to raise the standard of Indian Motorsport, develop awareness of motorsports in India and bringing the sport to the maximum audience possible. We are always ready for any collaboration to popularize motorsports in the country. This form of partnership restores my faith in future of motorsports in India”.

    Gymkhana as a form of motorsport relies on the driver’s skill and technique – to navigate through a short timed loop, which is comprised of obstacles and choreographed manoeuvres such as 360 spins, J-Turns, Slalom, Box Parking and Figure-8 amongst others. The total run time of the heats are generally under a minute which makes this a fast paced, engaging and rewarding experience to watch.

    Run under the aegis of FIA in conjunction with FMSCI (Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India), the event acts as an entry point for budding young drivers to start a career in racing, in a safe, economical and practical way.

    Akbar Ibrahim, President FMSCI said “In India motorsports is still an extravagant affair. It is not as easy as it looks and at the same time not as popular as we’d like it to be. At FMSCI it is our endeavour to cultivate this form of sport and make people, corporates and the authorities more aware and supportive of the sport, starting from the grass-roots level. We are elated to host this event  ere in India and we thank our sponsors and partners for the support extended to us.”

    The FMSCI is a long-standing member of the FIA, a national motorsport federation recognised by the Government of India, for the promotion and control of motorsports in India, and is affiliated to the prestigious Indian Olympic Association.

    Dilip Joshi, Chairman of AAGC 2018 Round 2 said, “Round 2 of AAGC 2018 promises to be exciting, with a world-class motoring event never seen before in the city. Through this event, we hope to connect our passion for automobiles to the larger Indian audience, including a bunch of very excited school kids from the neighboring Smt. Sulochanadevi Singhania School, who will be part of the audience on Race Day. As we move along, we hope to trigger greater aspiration for racing and look forward to a power-packed weekend.”

    The event is sponsored by Kamasutra, Parx, Rustomjee Developers & MRF and is supported by VW Motorsport & Autocar India.

  • Gautam Singhania gets another double podium for India: Ferrari Euro Challenge Coppa Shell races

    Valencia, 4 October 2015: The Coppa Shell entered its penultimate round this weekend with three drivers -A Belgian, Italian and an Indian separated by just few points.

    Gautam HariSinghania, Founder Chairman, Super Car Club, finished 2nd in Race 1 and Race 2 at Valencia, Spain and secured yet another historic double podium finish at the prestigious Ferrari event – Ferrari Challenge Europe Championship 2015.

    The Chairman and Managing Director, Raymond Limited also finished 2nd in Race 1 and Race 2 in the Coppa Shell category. He secured nine podiums in the season so far. The Ferrari Challenge Europe Championship 2015 started in April 2015 at Monza, Italy where Singhania secured a double podium finish followed by another podium finish at Budapest, Hungary, Le Castellet, France and Imola, Italy in June, July and September respectively. He is representing India and is endorsed by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI).

    The Ferrari Challenge Europe Championship Finale, to be held in November, will be indeed a close finish amongst the finalists. The finale will have the finalists fighting neck to neck against each other which shall culminate into a nail biting experience for the spectators.

    Commenting on his historic win, Gautam Hari Singhania said“It has been a great racing weekend in Valencia with another double podium. The 2015 championship has panned out superbly with several close finishes and wins. I am eagerly looking forward to the Finale in November in Mugello, Italy.”

    Race 1 – Coppa Shell. The Coppa Shell opened the day with a tight race full of emotions. Three of the four Kessel Racing drivers got away perfectly, with Jacques Duyver entering the first corner in command ahead of Gautam Singhania and Fons Scheltema.

     

    Respectively in fourth and fifth, Eric Cheung (AF Corse) and Erich Prinoth (Ineco-MP) began fighting it out. Duyver zoomed off notching up the fastest lap while Prinoth overtook Cheung with a great manoeuvre. However, both were then penalised with a drive through penalty for a jump-start. Prinoth served the penalty and returned in front of CorinnaGostner who caught up her teammate overtaking him on the first corner. However, Prinoth soon began his comeback, moving up from 12th to 8th. At the front Duyver won ahead of Singhania and Scheltema who was first in the Gentlemen’s Cup, for the over 55s. Thomas Gostner and Rick Lovat finished second and third in this class. Now Duyver has a 22-point lead in the standings ahead of Prinoth, leader in Gentlemen’s Cup, and 34 in front of Singhania.

    The entire season comprises in total of 15 races with two races a weekend, spread over six weekends mainly at Monza (ITALY), Imola (ITALY), Mugello (ITALY), Le Castellet (FRANCE), Valencia (SPAIN) and Budapest (HUNGARY). This culminates into to the world finals, consisting of three races in November 2015, where one race is together with the other two regions of Asia and North America. The grid will consist of about 40-50 cars like last year and there’s sure to be some competitive racing that promises to be a great experience.

    Gautam Hari

    Singhania takes second place in second race too. A Ferrari media image
    Singhania (left), representing India, takes second place in second race too. A Ferrari media image

    Singhania raced with the renowned Swiss Team named Kessel Racing that has registered numerous wins and an exhaustive experience under its belt. Former F1 driver and current GT driver Andrea Motermini is his coach for the entire season.

    The finale takes place next month at Mugello, Italy during 06-08th November.

  • Gautam HariSinghania secures yet another 2nd: Ferrari Euro Challenge

    Valencia (Spain), 3 October, 2015: Gautam HariSinghania, Chairman and Managing Director, Raymond Limited and Founder Chairman, Super Car Club, finished secondin the Race 1 at Valencia, SPAIN and secured yet another historic podium finish at the prestigious Ferrari event – Ferrari Challenge Europe Championship 2015.

    The first day of competition at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia saw Jacques Duyver and Bjorn Grossmann stretch their lead over their direct rivals in the Coppa Shell and the Trofeo Pirelli, while a superb race by Alessandro Vezzoni blew the Trofeo Pirelli Am open again. Matteo “Babalus” Santoponte performed a great comeback in the Trofeo Pirelli, moving up from last to second, to stay in the title fight.

    Coppa Shell. The Coppa Shell opened the day with a tight race full of emotions. Three of the four Kessel Racing drivers got away perfectly, with Jacques Duyver entering corner in command ahead of Gautam Singhania and Fons Scheltema.

    Singhania finished secondin Race 1 in

    Gautam HariSinghania on way to his second place finish in the first race of the Ferrari Challenge on Saturday. A Rayamond image
    Gautam HariSinghania on way to his second place finish in the first race of the Ferrari Challenge on Saturday. A Rayamond image

    the Coppa Shell category and had also qualified2ndearlier in the day. Hewas placed 3rdoverall in the championship as of today and surely aims to climb up the table with this win Saturday.

    The Ferrari Challenge Europe Championship 2015 started in April 2015 at Monza, Italy where Singhania secured a double podium finish followed by another podium finish at Budapest, Hungary, Le Castellet, France and Imola, Italy in June, July and September respectively. He is representing India and is endorsed by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI).

    Commenting on his historic win, Gautam HariSinghania said “I am thrilled to finish this race as successfully as others through the yearand it isyet another proud moment for me at the sixth round of the Ferrari Challenge Europe Championship at Valencia, SPAIN. It has been a great season for me so far and I am looking forward for a great performance in finale in November as well.”

    The entire season comprises in total of 15 races with two races a weekend, spread over six weekends mainly at Monza (ITALY), Imola (ITALY), Mugello (ITALY), Le Castellet (FRANCE), Valencia (SPAIN) and Budapest (HUNGARY). This culminates into to the world finals, consisting of three races in November 2015, where one race is together with the other two regions of Asia and North America. The grid will consist of about 40-50 cars like last year and there’s sure to be some competitive racing that promises to be a great experience.

    Gautam HariSinghania raced with the renowned Swiss Team named Kessel Racing that has registered numerous wins and an exhaustive experience under its belt. Former F1 driver and current GT driver Andrea Motermini is his coach for the entire season.

    eom/singhania press release with inputs from Ferrari

  • Singhania for 2014 Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli – Coppa Shield at Silverstone

    By Sanjay Rajan
    Gautham Singhania poses with the car after making his entry as Indian from FMSCI. An FMSCI image
    Gautham Singhania poses with the car after making his entry as Indian from FMSCI. An FMSCI image

    Chennai, 10 Sept 2014: Gautam Singhania will take part in the 2014 Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli – Coppa Shell to be held at Silverstone between Sept 12 to 14 as an official Indian entry endorsed by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI).

    The Coppa Shell is a series for “amateur gentleman drivers” in the one-make racing series organised by Ferrari, and Singhania will be competing in a Ferrari 458.
    “It will be a proud moment as an Indian to represent the country at Silverstone.  I am looking forward to a great race ahead, as one can never get tired of burning rubber in a Ferrari,” Singhania said.
    A racing enthusiast since his college days, Singhania, who is the Chairman and Managing Director of Raymond Group, has had some impressive results in international competition this season.
    In July, Singhania came second in the opening race ofthe Britcar Championship at Oulton Park, two months after winning both races in the opening round of the 2014 Pirelli Ferrari Open held at Brands Hatch.
    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, and Singhania also holds the lap record at the Buddh International Circuit in a non-open wheel car.
    eom/FMSCI press release/By Sanjay Rajan