UK-based Machdar Motorsports, a motor sports management company, today announced its maiden event in Asia titled 'i1 Super Series' to be held in five cities, including Delhi and Chennai, subject to sanction by the FIA, world body for the sport. The Super Series will have nine teams resenting nine different cities in India.
The teams would form an 18-car grid with each having an international driver besides an Indian. The races are slated to be held in New Delhi, Chennai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Pattaya (Thailand), Anjana Reddy, Director Machdar Motorsports, said.
The first leg is slated to be held in Delhi on December 18 and the final in Chennai or Delhi on February 25. Abu Dhabi (Jan 8), Doha (Jan 15), Dubai (Jan 22), Kuala Lumpur (Feb 5) and Pattaya (Feb 12) would be the other venues.
"The i1 super series, with a total prize money of USD two million, will provide a platform for budding motor sports enthusiasts. The format is designed to club young upcoming Indian drivers with the best of international drivers, thus enabling development of Indian motor sport talent," Reddy said.
The event would be run as a single make racing series with the cars to be used by drivers would be of one make, one configuration and one technical specification and it could accelerate from zero to 100 in three seconds and touch speeds of 250 kmph. The prototype of the car is expected to arrive by the end of this month.
{{/usCountry}}The event would be run as a single make racing series with the cars to be used by drivers would be of one make, one configuration and one technical specification and it could accelerate from zero to 100 in three seconds and touch speeds of 250 kmph. The prototype of the car is expected to arrive by the end of this month.
{{/usCountry}}"The nine franchisees are being sold at a base price of USD five million and it is available only by invitation and not auction. We would officially announce the list of owners along with our broadcast partner in the coming weeks," she said.
Federation of Motor Sports Club of India President Vicky Chandok said, "Asia has now become the global focus for motor sports, now with F1 Asia bound, I am thrilled that the i1 super series championship proposes to tour Asia. The Indian race segment will be organized by Madras Motors Sports Club."
CEO of i1 Super Series M Darshan said, "i1 Super Car championship will be held under the aegis of FMSCI and FIA. We re going to use only FIA approved cars, race in FIA approved racks and follow all FIA regulations and guidelines. A list of Indian and International drivers for the event would be announced early next month."
Sachin on board
Speaking to HT, Darshan said that he was able to convince cricket great Sachin Tendulkar to come on board as brand ambassador after speaking to him following this year's cricket world cup. "Sachin's love for motor sport is well documented," said Darshan. "We discussed the plan and he said he would let us know when he got time off from cricket." The deal with Tendulkar is understood to be one spanning a multiple number of years.
With input from agencies