FASTRAC - April 1999 issue

From the Editor
JK Tyre Dirt Challenge
1999 FIA Calendar
Golden opportunity
A Winning Formula
F1 Classification
Calendar of 1999 FIM RRC GP
Maruti Autocross
FMSCI Calendar of events
1999 RRC Classification
1999 CNRCC / CNRCM Classification after Round I
Miscellaneous

From the Editor

The event of March 1999 was the Prize Distribution function of the Castrol National Rally Championship for Cars and Motorcycles. The Guests of Honour were the Commissioner of Police, Bangalore City, Mr. L. Revannasidaiah I.P.S. and Mr. Sunil Aima, General Manager, Consumer Division, Southern Region, Castrol India Ltd. All the prize winners of 1998 Cars and Motorcycles as well as the 1997 Cars were present. It was a gala evening at the Taj West End, Bangalore on the 26^th March 1999. While the 1997 saw the JK Tyres take the honors, it was the turn of MRF to take home almost all the awards in 1998.

The new season started with the Birla Tyres EMSA Wild Run Rally for Cars starting and finishing at Calcutta and the actual special stages being around Durgapur. Good entries and organisation made the rally very interesting. Special mention must be made of the dynamic Secretary of the Meet, Mrs. Satarupa Chaudary, the cool and collected Mr. Ranjan Bose, who was the Clerk of the Course and the Chairman Mr. Partha Sadhan Bose who were able to conduct the event under the new FIA rules. I must put in on record that the training, behavior and conduct of the marshals of the event were something that had to be admired. The competitors were also very co-operative and followed all the rules even though they had to adapt themselves in a short time. A great start for the Castrol National Rally Championship 1999.

As we move towards the new millennium we are optimistic about new cars being homologated. We request all vehicle manufacturers to homologate their vehicles in 1999.

There is a possibility that there will be a new Motocross championship to be held all over the country. The JK Tyres Racing Championship will see a lot of new comers who will get an opportunity to participate on the racing circuit at Sriperumbudur.

The competition licence procedures were printed in the last issue. Please make use of it send in your applications completed in all ways so that there is no delay in processing the same.

C. Sridhar
Editor

JK Tyre Dirt Challenge

MASCK, Cochin

Market leader in the auto industry, JK Tyres has sponsored a four round Dirt Challenge Series for Cars (open class and 800 cc) and two wheelers open class, the first round having concluded successfully at Synthite ground, on the outskirts of Kochi. Vinil Varghese who could not finish in the top three in the first round came back strongly to clinch the honours in the cars open class category, when the second round was held on Sunday 3^rd January 1999. In the fight for second place, George Antony was faster than Kuriakose Elias, who finished third. The 800 cc category was full of action as there was close fight among the top contenders Biju Peter, Biju George Thomas and George Tharakan. But it was Biju George Thomas who drove brilliantly to beat the others. The two wheeler open class was action packed with 29 riders but it was P.B. Renjith on a Suzuki shogun who clocked the best timing to beat the first round winner Faizal Rehman who came thrid. Abdul Salam finished in second place.

In the third round, held on Sunday 17^th January 1999, Kuriakose Elias proved his supremacy once again by setting the fastest time in the open class. Vinil Varghese who was faster in the first lap could have upset the points table if not for a flat tyre in the second lap. Biju Peter, a new comer to motor sports field did a superb drive to finish second driving a Ford Zetec who also came on top in the 800 cc class. R. Dileep driving Maruti Esteem finished third. Biju George Thomas set the second fastest time in the 800 cc class while George Tharakan came third. It was once again Faizal Rehman on his Yamaha, who set the fastest time to beat the 25 other riders. Abdul Salam yet again finished in second place.

Ford Zetec made a clean sweep when the fourth and final round was held on 31^st January 1999. Though Vinil Varghese set the fastest time to win the event, it was Kuriakose Elias who emerged the overall champion with 27 points in the Cars open class category. Biju Peter drove brilliantly to finish second and Tom Thomas third. The 800 cc class saw some major surprises with Paul P. Mathew winning the event followed by Laiju George. Though Biju peter could finish only in third place, he was clearly ahead with 26 points to clinch the championship in the 800 cc class.

Faizal Rehman who rode with superb control through the corners came on top to win the event as well as the overall championship in the two wheeler open class. E. Abdul Salam set the second fastest time while Abdul Salam third.

Motor and Allied Sports Club of Kerala formed by seven Motor sports enthusiasts did a wonderful job in organising all the four rounds very successfully which attracted many newcomers to experience the thrills and frills of such closed circuit events.

1999 FIA Calendar

Golden Opportunity

Motor Sports Enthusiasts

Don't miss the opportunity to watch the Formula One Grand Prix Live in Kuala Lumpur on 17^th October 1999 for only Rs.15,000/= plus US $ 210. The tour is ex Chennai. This offer is valid until 15^th June 1999.

(Includes air fare, bed & breakfast, Grand Prix tickets, all transfers, airport taxes and visa fees) (This rate is on twin sharing basis only)

Details of the Tour

14^th Oct. by Malaysian Airlines MH 181 2350 hrs. for Kuala Lumpur
15^th Morning - Check in to 4 Start hotel
15^th Afternoon - Visit Sepang to watch practice session
16^th Morning - Watch the qualifying round
17^th Morning - Watch the race
18^th Leave by Malaysian Airlines MH 180 2125 hours for Chennai

A non-refundable advance of only Rs.2000/= in favour of Madras Motor Sports Club will confirm your registration.

YOUR DETAILS
 

For further details contact :

Mr.Vikram Jalan Phone : 044 - 8282665 / 044 - 8281913 Fax : 044 - 8281653
Mr.Rajan Syal Phone : 044 - 4412698 Fax : 044 - 4915934

Formula One

News report reveals Formula One as "a sport without economic rivals"
Courtesy : FIA's auto-MOTIVE Spring '99

More than 2 million spectators spend almost $500 million at Formula One events across Europe. On average 83% of this spending is 'new money' generated in the local economies of each circuit by 'non-local' spectators.

The new report is the first systematic evaluation of the economic impacts that individual Formula One races have on the eleven different local economies in Europe that hosted events during the 1997-1998 period. It was prepared by In context a US based research consultancy specialising in the emerging field of geo-economics, which combines the disciplines of economics, geography and computer science.

The Study concludes that the European Formula One races are "unrivalled in the sporting world for creating massive economic benefits at a local level. "The European races are compared with the economics of premier American football, baseball, basketball and hockey team events as well as their closet motor sport rivals in the US.

Leading author of the Context report, William Liley commented that formula One "is a sport which creates huge returns for its host communities; it is differentiated in that regard from, for example, the very popular American professional team sports that make the owners and the players rich, but often drain the host communities economies".

The report shows that money spent at a Formula One race is genuinely new money for the local economy with spectators typically attending races for more than one day and spending much of their money outside the race facility. This 'community spend' generates significant employment opportunities. Race spectator expenditure across Europe contributes to the economic support of as much as 25% of the local host community workforce typically employed in the local retail sector.

The authors identified a 'Formula One European phenomena' which generates spending in 127,339 local business with 738,354 employees spread over 81,835 square kilometers.

In the UK for example, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone generates £25 million in the local economy, 90% of it form 'non-local' spending. John Quenby, Chief Executive of the UK's Motor Sports Association confirmed, "Almost all the money spent on labor stays in the local economy, almost all the money goes to local business so that the social fabric of the south Midlands community is strengthened".

Another key characteristic of the Formula One phenomena is the significance of repeat race venues at repeat times with repeat commercial sponsors. The report claims that this 'repeat effect' of Grand Prix increases total non-local spending by at least nine percent annually.

The In context report makes clear that Formula One is a unique economic phenomena, acting as a major economic catalyst for the communities and businesses surrounding race circuits. The pattern of local economic success is virtually the same across Europe with almost $500 million dollars of genuinely 'new money' being spent at the eleven Grand Prix. It certainly seems to be a winning formula.

F1 Classification

1999 FIM RRC GP

Calendar of 1999 FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix

Maruti AutocrossMarch 28, 1999
Sportscraft, Mumbai
 

Mumbai's leading rally driver Neville Poonawala and Ashish Doshi of Baroda stole the limelight in the Maruti Autocross at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI) on Sunday, March 28. Both displayed excellent driving skills as they battled it out for the title of fastest driver in the Sportscraft organised time trial, which was held in association with JK Tyres and Indian Oil and co-sponsored by Citi Corp and Maruti Countrywide Finance. In the end, Poonawalla's experience stood him in good stead as he piped Doshi by just a few seconds while posting 3 minutes, 29.79 seconds in the Maruti Esteem general class for unmodified vehicles, which proved the fastest time recorded during the meet.

It was top class competition as a record 166 entries battled it out under the scorching sun and dusty conditions in this annual gathering, held this time to commemorate the 15^th anniversary of Maruti Udyog Limited. Sorhab Zorabain, Hormazd Sorabjee, Afzal Khan, Amol Kulkarni. Ashish Shah , Narendra Patil and Rufina Karmali, Jayashree Sen. Rupal Gandhi, Navaz Bhathena, Preeti Dolwani and Leena Shah among the ladies, were some of the best drivers on view. All were in a class of their own, but had to concede to some skillful driving from Poonawala and Doshi.

Besides finishing first in the Maruti Esteem general unmodified class, Poonawala took second place in the Esteem modified class and Zen general class. However, with a little bit of lock, Doshi who had done well in the Baroda Maruti Test Track driver last month, could have emerged the most successful, if not fastest driver of the meet. The Baroda driver displayed cool temperment and deft control in all the events he entered in as he drove around the serpentine track. He won the Maruti Esteem general modified class, posting a time of 3:32.00 seconds,, in the process pushing Poonawala to second position 3:32.46 and Navaz Bhathena to third 3:33.55 and finished second to Poonawala in the unmodified class in the same category. Certainly, he could have won the Zen General National class too, but effected a touch to one of the obstacles at the fag end of his routine. As he registered a time of 3:31.68 seconds. However, the ten seconds touch penalty that was added to his time proved costly.

Navaz Bhathena was simply the best lady driver though only won the Zen class for ladies. In the Esteem class for ladies, she was a winner all the way as she timed 3:36.02 second. But a touch while negotiating a hairpin bend saw her incur a penalty of ten second and increase her time to 4:06.02 seconds. Preeti Dolwani benefited from the lapse to take the first place, having timed 4:05.58 seconds. Leena Shah was third in 4:09.62 seconds.

Chinmay Daiya won the Maruti 800 cc class for novices in 3:46.82. Irfan Moghul and Sajid Sakarwalla finished second and third respectively.

In the 800 cc class for ladies, Rufina Karmali was a cut above the rest. She posted a time of 3:54.18 seconds, which was far better than the 4:02.94 recorded by second-placed Jayashree Sen and 4:03.00 by Rupal Gandhi.

With Maruti offering prizes for the best decorated car and best dressed male and female participant, many participants turned up in carnival attire. Purvi Thakker and Vivek Sakseriya were adjudged the best female and male participants respectively, while Nihir Shah bagged the prize for the best decorated car.

All in all the Autocross was well appreciated. For Maruti Udyog Limited it proved the ideal way to get their customers together. And though it was long and arduous programme, which started in the morning at 8:30 and finished only at 3:30 in the afternoon, none had anything to complain about. May be, because Sportscraft handled the long schedule really professionally. Young Rupal Gandhi, who bagged third place in the 800 cc class, which was the second event of the day said : "The event was well conducted. My only complain is that I had to wait till the end to collect my prize".

Despite the hot conditions, Ashish Doshi too was impressed with the handling of the event. "The course was dusty and quite tough, but I enjoyed myself" he declared. Sure, it was a good challenge and all had a great time.
 

Maruti 800 cc for Novice	Maruti 800 cc for Ladies	Maruti 1000 cc for Novice	Maruti 1000cc for Ladies
Chimay Dalya	Rufina Karmali	Bukesg Negta	Preeti Shah
Irphan Mogul	Jayashree Sen		Leena Shah
Sajid Sakarwala	Rupal Gandhi
Maruti Zen for Novice	Maruti Zen for Ladies	Maruti Zen for General	Maruti Gypsy 1000 cc for General
Irphan Mogul	Navaz Bhathena	Sohrab Zorabian	Afzal Khan
Alok Khadelwal	Neeta Jhaveri	Neville Poonawala	Amol Kulkarni
Manoj Vaidya	Lata Balakrishnan	Hormazd Sorabjee	Narendra Patil
Maruti Gypsy Kind for General	Maruti Esteem for Ladies	Maruti Esteem for General	Maruti Esteem General-A-Nat
Ashish Shah	Preeti Dolwani	Neville Poonawala	Ashish Doshi
	Navaz Bhathena	Ashish Doshi	NevillePoonawala
	Leena Shah	Asif Shaikh	Navaz Bhathena
Fastest Driver of the Day	Fastest Lady Driver of the Day	Best decorated Car	Best dressed participants
Neville Poonawala	Navaz Bhathena	Nihir Shah	Purvi Thakker
			Vivek

Date	Event	Organiser	Status	Category
6-9 May	2nd Kavi Guru Rally	BMSC, Calcutta	Open	2/4W
8-9 May	1st Unique Dirt Race	Unique a Bike point, Bangalore	Open	2 W

1999 RRC 

For further details on the above Championship please contact the Organisers, address given below :

Madras Motor Sports Club
"Guru Mansion", I Floor
123/1 TTK Salai
Alwarpet
Chennai 600 018
Phone : 4990998
Fax : 91-44-499 3984

CNRCC / CNRCM

Miscellaneous

The Council in their previous Council Meeting ratified the affiliation of the following new clubs with the FMSCI :

Indian Riders Motor Sports Club, Thrissur and
Karnataka Racing Sports Club, Bangalore

It was decided in the previous Council Meeting that a cash fine of Rs.200/- would be imposed for physical non-possession of FMSCI Competition Licence.

The Competitors often find it difficult to carry the FMSCI Competition Licence book through out the event, particularly the 2 wheeler competitors. Hence it was decided that a Card would be issued bearing the validity year, type, category, name, blood group with Competitors photo along with the FMSCI Competition Licence book. It was also decided to send these cards to those who have already renewed their FMSCI Competition Licences for the year 1999. The Competitors will carry the card through out the event and will produce the original book on demand.

It was principally agreed that the FMSCI mailing list will not be sent to any person/s or organisation /s.

Any person or organisation willing to send any information to all those in the FMSCI mailing list will send sufficient copies to the FMSCI, who in turn will circulate the same. It was decided that an amount of Rs.2000/= will be charged as fees apart from the cost of envelopes and postage stamps.

As per the rules of the Federation Internationale De L' Automobile (FIA), the homologation of any vehicle becomes effective the day it is homologated and can enter any event if the certified homologation paper is produced by the Competitor during the pre-event scrutiny. It was unanimously felt that since we are going the FIA way, the same must apply to the FMSCI homologation also.

It is learnt, that the FMSCI is likely to start a Motocross Championship for the year 1999. The first round of the same is likely to be in Chennai in the month of June 1999. It is also learnt that M/s.MRF Limited has kindly agreed to sponsor the proposed Motocross Championship.

Views expressed in this are not necessarily
those of the FMSCI