Indu Chandhok, the doyen of Indian motorsports with which he was actively associated for over six decades, passed away in Chennai this morning. He was 93 and is survived by two sons, one daughter, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC) president Ajit Thomas said, “In Indu Chandhok’s demise, the MMSC and Indian motorsports have lost a giant and an institutional figure. He was instrumental in providing definitive direction to motorsports in India and we are now enjoying the fruits of his untiring efforts. We deeply mourn his passing away and offer condolences to his family.”
Chandhok, born in Kolkata on July 22, 1931, moved to Chennai (erstwhile Madras) a year later. He was one of the founder-members of the Madras Motor Sports Club in 1953 and later, the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) in 1971. He went on to become the president of the FMSCI in 1978. He was also an integral part of the Trust that purchased and developed the Madras International Circuit (erstwhile Madras Motor Race Track) at Irungattkottai.
Chandhok’s involvement with motorsports over the last 60 years, first as a competitor and later as an organiser, earned him the sobriquet of “Godfather of Motorsports in India”.
He passed on his genes to Vicky, a former National Rally Champion and MMSC vice-president, and grandson Karun, India’s second Formula One driver (after Narain Karthikeyan).
“The Patriarch of the Chandhok family passed away in his sleep this morning. Total legend he was. ‘BIC’ lived his life filled with a great sense of humour until the end. He was a fantastic father and protector. In a way, he was also the patriarch of Indian motorsports who saw the big picture with a clear vision for the growth of the sport,” Vicky said.
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