New Delhi: In an event that could be the largest motorsport spectacle of domestic racing that India has ever witnessed, the SIDVIN Festival of Speed takes place at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida from November 30 to December 2, 2012. This first-of-a-kind initiative will witness host two major International Championships, the finale of the JK Racing Asia Series, and Round 2 of the MRF Challenge 2012. It will also host the final rounds of the most coveted national racing championships in India - the ‘JK Tyre-Volkswagen Polo R Cup’ and the ‘JK Tyre-FMSCI National Racing Championship’, making it the biggest motorsports extravaganza to take place in India.
Close to 125 talented drivers from India & abroad will converge to display their skill at the event, which promises motorsport enthusiasts a veritable feast of nail-biting action, intense battles and unmatched moments of glory at one of the world’s best F1 circuits. The pulsating race weekend will include 14 races providing edge-of-the-seat action.
Announcing this exciting new event, title sponsor, Mohan Nagrajan, CMD, SIDVIN, said, “We are proud to bring in the second edition of SIDVIN Festival of Speed, the first was the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. This being the largest motorsport extravaganza in the domestic front, with the country's largest sponsors and promoters coming together after many decades, it is but natural for SIDVIN to be involved. We are proud to be associated with JK Tyre, MRF and Volkswagen who are the largest contributors to Indian Motorsport. Motorsport is one of the fastest growing sport in India and SIDVIN has been at the forefront of promoting domestic motorsports, be it events or drivers. This is a momentous occasion for Indian motorsport fans and competitors alike. We are confident that this will herald a new era in Indian motorsports.”
The SIDVIN Festival of Speed will witness the culmination of India’s premier and only racing championship - the 16th JK Tyre National Racing Championship where the 2012 champions will be awarded. The weekend will see India’s top racing drivers competing for glory in the grand finale of the JK Tyre-FMSCI National Racing Championship that consists of the JK Tyre Volkswagen Polo-R Cup, LGB Formula 4, Indian Touring Cars, and Indian Junior Touring Cars championships. India’s top drivers have battled it out over five exciting rounds that took place on racetracks in Coimbatore and Chennai and will now gear up for the final face-off at the world’s second fastest race track.
The JK Tyre-Volkswagen Polo R Cup has proved to be a great stepping stone for the young drivers across the country since its inception. The Polo R Cup has given an opportunity to talented drivers from the previous seasons to represent India at in Germany at the Scirocco R Cup. The Polo R Cup is a one-make series that provides a platform wherein every competitor gets a fair chance to prove his/her mettle as each one of them gets an identical car and technical support. This brings out the real driving skills of the participants with no one getting any advantage over the other as far as the race machines are considered. The 2012 season witnessed the introduction of the all-new and faster TSI Race Polo with powerful 1.4 litre petrol engines. 20 of India’s best drivers including one International driver, Diego Duez from Mexico have been battling it out for the coveted title in the last five rounds of the season. With the top contenders in the championship standing marginally close to each other, the title battle has trickled down to the last round that is to be held at the Sidvin Festival of Speed at BIC.
The four-round race weekend of JK Racing Asia Series, the only ‘Junior’ Formula Racing Series in the world that provides a unique opportunity to the drivers to compete in front of the biggest names of the motorsport fraternity will decide who will be the next JK Racing Asia Series World Champion and signal the end of a historic 16-round season that saw the series making its maiden European sojourn with races at legendary circuits like Paul Ricard Circuit, Circuit de Spa Francorchamps, and the Silverstone Circuit. Penultimate rounds 11 and 12 of the JK Racing Asia Series took place alongside the 2012 Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix last month at the Buddh International Circuit. As part of JK Tyre’s constant endeavour to promote talent and give them the best available opportunity to excel, seven young and competent Indian drivers got an invaluable opportunity to race on home turf in front of home crowds.
The MRF Challenge 2012 returns to the Buddh International Circuit for the Sidvin Festival of Speed, after its mega-successful debut in late October 2012 as a support race to the Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix. The line-up of 18 Renault-sport powered Dallara racing single-seaters, purpose built for this series by Jayem Automotives Ltd of Coimbatore, will scorch the track with an unprecedented 4 races over the course of the weekend. With engines screaming at 7000 RPM and generating volumes of over 100 decibels each, the grid boast of a combined power output of almost 4,000 bhp! The competition is extremely stiff with drivers from all over the globe. The series points table is currently being led by returning 2011 MRF Champion, Jordan King, who was Vice-Champion in the Formula Renault NEC in 2012. He is followed closely by GP3 race winner (and son of ex-Formula 1 & IndyCar racer Derek Daly) Conor Daly, with reigning 2012 F2 Champion Luciano Bacheta a close third. The highest placed Indian driver is Parthiva Sureshwaren who is currently 9th in the points standings with 2 top-ten finishes in the two races so far. He is confident of advancing many places up the table with strong finishes in all 4 races this weekend.
Apart from some serious racing, a lot of other interesting events has been planned for the motorsport enthusiasts. Audiences will get to see some amazing Stunt shows performed by India’s best race drivers on Volkswagen Cars. Also to keep the audience entertained is the Super Car Parade. Entry for the exciting event will be through invitations or through promotions by event partners. Coming on the heels of the recently concluded Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix, the event promises world-class action at a world-class circuit.
By Indian Sports News Network
