Motor
Rallying India
The Beginning
Motor racing activities first started in the post independence period as many
of the World War II airstrips in different parts of the country were left deserted
and enthusiasts took advantage of this to pursue this sport. One such airstrip
was at Sholavaram, near Chennai. Soon, racing caught on in other parts of the
country too.
In time, the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) became the governing
body of this sport. Rallying - the mission to test man & machine against
Indian terrain also rose to become a popular sport. National Championships were
instituted and winners became cult figures.
Moving ahead
Rallies were shortened to 750 kilometeres as long as they were part of the National
championship and that made competition very tight. Team MRF, Team JK, Team JCT
and Team Paarel are the only four teams in India today. Car and bike enthusiasts
yearning for more adventure started setting off to cross country expeditions.
Presently, motor sport includes activities like autocross, motocross, drag racing,
motor gymkhana, treasure hunts and precise family rallies.
Thanks to a deal between the West Bengal State Government and Grand Prix India
Private Limited, a world class Formula One Racetrack with all the attendant
features, facilities and infrastructure has been set up. Indian Narain Kartikeyan
has already made a name for himself in the high-speed world of motor racing.
But some applause must go to the sponsors who have supported him in his endeavor:
J.K Tyres, Ford Motors, UB Group and the rest.
Indian Motor racing is roughly 50 years old and rallying 30 years. Though motor
sport started with circuit racing in India, the fact today remains that racing
has hardly progressed within the country.
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