Its good news for all the formula one fans as their prayers are about to be answered in the coming year. The year 2011 will witness rise of India on the world racing scenario. MRF is going great guns as it has been spelled out that the last two of the eight rounds of races will be held at the new Jaypee F1 circuit located in Noida near New Delhi.
# Each car will be given to a rider for a fee of Rs. 15 Lakhs on an ‘arrive and drive’ basis.
# Last two of the eight rounds of races will be held at the new Jaypee F1 circuit, Noida.
# On the two weekends in February, races will be held in Super bike 600cc and Indian Bike 165cc groups too.
This is the event that the whole of India is waiting for. The final two rounds of the Inaugural Formula One Indian Grand Prix are scheduled to be held on Oct 29-30, 2011. The recently constructed Jaypee racing circuit is one of the few lucky circuits that will have the pleasure of hosting such a important event both for India and for the rest of the world.
Mr Arun Mammem, Managing director of MRF Ltd said in a press conference that MRF has made 12 F1 racing cars in addition to the 12 used earlier this year. He further said that each car will be given to a rider for a fee of Rs. 15 Lakhs on an ‘arrive and drive’ basis. Further information on the first six rounds was received and it was cleared that they will be held at the Madras Motor Sports Trust track over two weekends, Feb 5-6 and 12-13. The fee of Rs. 15 Lakhs includes transportation, services, car rentals and tyres cost under the early bird scheme. A driver submitting his confirmation by December 20 will be also given free air tickets and accommodation.
Tony Rodricks, GM (Advertising) said that racing on Jaypee circuit at Noida will be challenging for the riders as they will be allotted only 30 minutes of timed practice on the track. The cars made by MRF for the event are all powered by imported parts like Ford Duratec engines, Hewland 5-speed sequential gear box, Bilstein shocks and AP braking system.
The cars are to be serviced by JA motor sport with Indian mechanics under the supervision of foreign engineers. The total prize money for the event is $1,00,000 wherein $50,000 is for the first place, $30,000 for the second place and $20,000 for the third. The event (MRF Formula Championship 2011) is organized by madras sports club in conformity with the regulations prescribed by FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) and FMSCI (Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India).
On the two weekends in February, races will be held in Super bike 600cc and Indian Bike 165cc groups too. All in all, the event is expected to receive a great response from India. We are sure that India is going to welcome the event with heart and soul.
– Atul Sharma