New consortium to power JK Tyre National Racing Championship

New Delhi, Aug 10 (UNI) Equipped with newly designed formula tyre and with the backing of a new consortium, the 10th edition of the JK Tyre National Racing Championship is all set to put the event at par with all level three races in the world.

JK Tyre was joined by Maruti, General Motors and Hyundai to promote motor sports in the country and the national championship would see newly designed formula machines trying to outpace each other and the cost would be just 1/10th of the international price, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of JK Industries Raghupati Singhania told reporters here today.

''We have been making long, steady strides and our motorsports training programme has seen Karthikeyan advance from karting to F1.

We have got Karun Chandhok and Armaan Ebrahim and now we need to move further ahead. At this juncture, technological know-how is crucial and we wanted to give everyone a level playing ground and so we have three newly designed cars,'' he said.

The LGB Formula Swift, Formula Rolon Chevrolet and LGB Formula Hyundai cars were also unveiled on the occasion.

This year's championship would also see team NK, four drivers handpicked by Narain Karthikeyan, making their debut in the championship.

''It's a great day for Indian motorsports and I wish these were there when I started. The scenario is changing for good in so many ways and JK Tyre has been the backbone of motorsports in India,'' Karthikeyan said.

''Aerodynamics, slicks (tyre), race gearbox -- we have all the right ingredients for a memorable championship,'' he remarked.

''JK Tyre has been supporting me since 1993 and I owe a lot to them,'' he added.

Meanwhile, B Vijay Kumar, designer of the cars, assured that reliability won't be an issue with the machines.

''We got the FIA analysis done and actually tested the cars in races over the last two years,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Federation of Motor Sports Club of India President Rajat Majumdar revealed that the FMSCI and the Motorsports Association of India (MAI) merger is yet to take place.

''Officially, the Government of India has recognised us and we are issuing the licences. I have given an undertaking in a recent FIA meeting in Paris to take motorsports ahead in the country with our sister body MAI. By September, we hope to have a clear format,'' he said.

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