Motorsports & Politics!

madan80 · 11th February 2009, 10:49

no.. this is not about the indian scene. The prime minister of Norway and Sebastien Loeb! Its nice to see such close interaction between governments and motorsports, something this cricket crazy country needs.

Prime Minister of Norway Jens Stoltenberg will tear round the track with five-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb in a Citroen C4 hybrid WRC car when Rally Norway opens at Bjerkebanen in Oslo this Thursday 12 February.

"Stoltenberg is enthusiastically supportive of Rally Norway, just as he was in 2007. He values our commitment to environmental causes and can clearly see that the event is positive for Norway's profile internationally," says Even Wiger, Managing Director of Rally Norway.

The Norwegian WRC round will be opened officially by city of Oslo Mayor Fabian Stang, accompanied by the leader of the Hedmark county council, Siv Torudbakken. Before they do so, Jens Stoltenberg will experience a real lap of the Bjerkebane racecourse as part of the opening show, minutes before national drivers Henning and Petter Solberg and the other rally stars take to the arena for the rally proper.

"To have the Prime Minister here in the world's only rally-hybrid car is just fantastic," adds rally boss Wiger. "It sends a signal that motorsport is a great platform for developing new environmentally-friendly vehicle technology."

The car itself is big news as it is a prototype of the WRC cars of the future. The Citroen C4 which is to be driven at Bjerke uses hybrid technology, which means that it is powered by an electric motor on transport stages and charges the battery during braking, something which significantly reduces climate-harming CO2 emissions.

"This shows that motorsport is setting an example and becoming more conscious about limiting environmental consequences," Wiger points out. "The rally-hybrid, along with other special vehicles using alternative fuel, will be on display at Rally Norway's HQ all weekend."

Norway's Prime Minister To Co-Drive With Loeb - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

killjoy · 11th February 2009, 23:33

Really nice, and the header is an attention grabber too

Mpower · 11th February 2009, 23:55

He..he..In India we have lots of politics IN motorsports.

I wish politicians would get involved and that way we'll get some race tracks.

nitrous · 11th February 2009, 23:57

I know of a politician racing in the saloon class.
I'm not kidding.

Cyrus43 · 12th February 2009, 00:57

Maybe some of the Indian Politicians Sons could get into motorsports and then we could get endorsments by all the politicians and then Bombay would get a Decent Motorsports scene!!

ananthkamath · 12th February 2009, 02:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpower

He..he..In India we have lots of politics IN motorsports.

I wish politicians would get involved and that way we'll get some race tracks.

We already do....Vijay Mallya has been a letdown in terms of what he COULD have done for the local scene.

HappyWheels · 12th February 2009, 04:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrus43

Maybe some of the Indian Politicians Sons could get into motorsports and then we could get endorsments by all the politicians and then Bombay would get a Decent Motorsports scene!!

Might not turn out as we want and could make the situation worse if this happens with all Daddies trying to get their sons on the podium!

hillram · 12th February 2009, 09:42

This is a good subject to discuss.
In Hyderabad,we had drag race and most of the richies in their expensive cars and bikes are from political families.
There is a place called Ofen Bakery in Banjara Hills,you go there on Sat and Sunday,you would find all Racing Superbikes and Cars (Audi TT,SLKs).I was told these are sons of ministers and its easy for them get these expensive babies imported easily flaunting all the laws of the land (I mean Import/export laws).
One rich lad came riding a R1 with Hawai Chappal.I was flabbergasted for a second.

Politicians entering Motorsport may not happen in India.

killjoy · 12th February 2009, 22:00

dont be too sure, there are lots of politicians sons involved in motorsports in some form or the other...

HappyWheels · 13th February 2009, 03:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillram

...In Hyderabad,we had drag race and most of the richies in their expensive cars and bikes are from political families...

Quote:

Originally Posted by killjoy

dont be too sure, there are lots of politicians sons involved in motorsports in some form or the other...

The guys from political families are, unless he is a car freak and is a member here (!), will mostly attend these meets just for having their time and glory in front of the rest of the crowd. They can flaunt their possession and be the envy in the eyes of many.

Do you think these political sons will give a second thought if they wanted to drag race on a open road?

So, as long as this is an un-institutionalized event, things will be based on interest which is good.

anachronix · 13th February 2009, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ananthkamath

We already do....Vijay Mallya has been a letdown in terms of what he COULD have done for the local scene.

What exactly you think he could have done for the local scene?

ananthkamath · 14th February 2009, 03:47

well, lets not get too deep into that discussion. It suffices to say that with a fraction of the money going into Force F1, the scene (circuit-racing, specifically) could have been given a boost.

11th February 2009, 10:49	#1
madan80 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,360 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	Motorsports & Politics! no.. this is not about the indian scene. The prime minister of Norway and Sebastien Loeb! Its nice to see such close interaction between governments and motorsports, something this cricket crazy country needs. Prime Minister of Norway Jens Stoltenberg will tear round the track with five-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb in a Citroen C4 hybrid WRC car when Rally Norway opens at Bjerkebanen in Oslo this Thursday 12 February. "Stoltenberg is enthusiastically supportive of Rally Norway, just as he was in 2007. He values our commitment to environmental causes and can clearly see that the event is positive for Norway's profile internationally," says Even Wiger, Managing Director of Rally Norway. The Norwegian WRC round will be opened officially by city of Oslo Mayor Fabian Stang, accompanied by the leader of the Hedmark county council, Siv Torudbakken. Before they do so, Jens Stoltenberg will experience a real lap of the Bjerkebane racecourse as part of the opening show, minutes before national drivers Henning and Petter Solberg and the other rally stars take to the arena for the rally proper. "To have the Prime Minister here in the world's only rally-hybrid car is just fantastic," adds rally boss Wiger. "It sends a signal that motorsport is a great platform for developing new environmentally-friendly vehicle technology." The car itself is big news as it is a prototype of the WRC cars of the future. The Citroen C4 which is to be driven at Bjerke uses hybrid technology, which means that it is powered by an electric motor on transport stages and charges the battery during braking, something which significantly reduces climate-harming CO2 emissions. "This shows that motorsport is setting an example and becoming more conscious about limiting environmental consequences," Wiger points out. "The rally-hybrid, along with other special vehicles using alternative fuel, will be on display at Rally Norway's HQ all weekend." Norway's Prime Minister To Co-Drive With Loeb - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
	() Thanks

11th February 2009, 23:33	#2
killjoy BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 753 Thanked: 317 Times View My Garage	Really nice, and the header is an attention grabber too
	() Thanks

11th February 2009, 23:55	#3
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,730 Times View My Garage	He..he..In India we have lots of politics IN motorsports. I wish politicians would get involved and that way we'll get some race tracks.
	() Thanks

11th February 2009, 23:57	#4
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	I know of a politician racing in the saloon class. I'm not kidding.
	() Thanks

12th February 2009, 00:57	#5
Cyrus43 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Posts: 5,019 Thanked: 221 Times View My Garage	Maybe some of the Indian Politicians Sons could get into motorsports and then we could get endorsments by all the politicians and then Bombay would get a Decent Motorsports scene!!
	() Thanks

12th February 2009, 09:42	#8
hillram Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 2,942 Thanked: 1,326 Times View My Garage	This is a good subject to discuss. In Hyderabad,we had drag race and most of the richies in their expensive cars and bikes are from political families. There is a place called Ofen Bakery in Banjara Hills,you go there on Sat and Sunday,you would find all Racing Superbikes and Cars (Audi TT,SLKs).I was told these are sons of ministers and its easy for them get these expensive babies imported easily flaunting all the laws of the land (I mean Import/export laws). One rich lad came riding a R1 with Hawai Chappal.I was flabbergasted for a second. Politicians entering Motorsport may not happen in India.
	() Thanks

12th February 2009, 22:00	#9
killjoy BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 753 Thanked: 317 Times View My Garage	dont be too sure, there are lots of politicians sons involved in motorsports in some form or the other...
	() Thanks

14th February 2009, 03:47	#12
ananthkamath Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mangalore Posts: 1,209 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	well, lets not get too deep into that discussion. It suffices to say that with a fraction of the money going into Force F1, the scene (circuit-racing, specifically) could have been given a boost.
	() Thanks