JK, MRF races add to excitement

A follower of Indian motorsports could have been forgiven for thinking that they were at an Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) event given the following circumstances.

A follower of Indian motorsports could have been forgiven for thinking that they were at an Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) event given the following circumstances. Cars prepared by JK Tyre and MRF, cars sliding and going sideways on dirt and dust and a two-time INRC champion behind the wheel of one of the cars (Gaurav Gill). It was, however, a scene from practice and qualifying for the support races at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix.

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While JK Racing Asia Series cars had their first practice session, the 1600cc cars of MRF's Delhi Championship ran a practice session and qualifying. The single seat cars gave a glimpse of the possible career progression an aspiring racing driver from India can expect with the MRF cars which are an entirely domestic championship. The JK series, on the other hand, runs in various circuits in Asia.

JK Asia Series rivals Afiq Ilkhwan Yazid and Lucas Auer set the two fastest times in a session that eight Indian drivers out of which seven were guest drivers. The fastest of the Indians was Akhil Khushlani who last raced in the Series when it was known as Formula BMW Pacific in 2009.

MRF qualifying results:
1. Nick Percat (AUS) 2minutes 05.406sec; 2. Alice Powell (GBR) 2:06.114; 3. Jordan King (GBR) 2:06.402. (*Gaurav Gill was the fastest Indian at No. 8th)