India to get three more race tracks in 2018

Coimbatore: India will get three new motorsport racing tracks in the coming year, said Akbar Ebrahim, president of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India. These tracks will be set up in Hosur, Hyderabad and one between Pune and Mumbai. These tracks will have national and international certification. "Motorsports has developed immensely in the past decade. Many of our racers are doing extremely well at the international circuit. This will help popularize the sport," he said.

Stressing on improving motorsports at grass-root level by introducing kart racing professionally, he said these new tracks will help talent from across the country come together. "Most times, when we have training workshops in Chennai or Bengaluru, many racers from the north-eastern states and other cities travel all the way. But they cannot stay for long and attend training for just one-day. If we have more tracks in various cities, more children would take up the sport and there would be an increased awareness," said Ebrahim.

When questioned about the formula one racing, Ebrahim said that while they were following it up passionately, they required the backing of the government if it had to be brought to India. "One needs to understand that racing and motorsport does not mean just F1 racing. Now, there are several championships and various races. But we are trying our best and also have the required infrastructure in the country. We only need support in terms of sponsorship and commercial aspects. In almost all the countries where F1 racing takes place, the government backs it up to promote tourism. We are in talks with the ministers and are hopeful that we will soon have a F1 race in India," he said.

He was speaking at the international workshop on motorsports engineering held by the department of automobile engineering in the Kumaraguru College of Engineering in the city recently.

Graeme Harris, former formula racer and lecturer in mechanical engineering from Ara Institute of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand shared his experience in motorsport engines and motorsports events in New Zealand.

He said children started racing as early at 10 years in his country. "There is no lack of talent in India. Also, in terms of industries and companies, the manufacturing sector is huge here. There are enough possibilities for the sport to develop immensely if there was the right backing from companies," said Graeme.