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COASTT High Performance: Coimbatore to get second racetrack

The track is expected to be 3.8 km long and could be the first anti-clockwise racetrack in the country.

Coimbatore will be getting a second racetrack called the COASTT High Performance Centre. Construction has already begun and the centre could open in March 2022.

The track is being designed by Apex Racing Academy and will be 3.8 km long. Apex has also designed other tracks like the Dubai Autodrome, the Madras Motor Race Track (MMRT), and the Miami F1 circuit. COASTT is said to be the first anti-clockwise racetrack in the country.

The COASTT High Performance Centre will be located on the outskirts of the city and is likely to be used by the Mumbai Falcons racing team for racing development, driver training program and vehicle testing activities.

Thanks to BHPian RM Motorsports for sharing this with other enthusiasts.

 

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Hyderabad to host Formula E races in the future

The first race is expected to be held between December 2022 and March 2023.

The state of Telangana and Formula E have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to examine the viability of hosting an E-Prix in Hyderabad.

According to Alberto Longo, Chief Championship Officer, FIA Formula E, Hyderabad would soon become an official host city with the first race expected to be held between December 2022 and March 2023.

City officials have proposed a 2.3 km long street circuit overlooking the Hussain Sagar lake.

Reports suggest that Anand Mahindra took the initiative to bring Formula E to India. He had suggested venues like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad for the race. Mahindra has been racing in Formula E since its inception. This year, it will be competing with 10 other teams for the championship.

Season 8 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship kicks off in Saudi Arabia on January 28, 2022. Other host cities include Mexico City, Rome, Monaco, Berlin, Vancouver, London and Seoul.

Source: News18

 

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MotoGP aims to switch to sustainable fuels from 2024

MotoGP hopes to use completely carbon-free fuels for its races by 2027.

MotoGP - the world's premier motorcycle racing series aims for zero emissions by 2027. To achieve this, the sport plans to shift to sustainable fuel solutions from 2024.

By 2024, MotoGP will switch to partly sustainable non-fossil origin fuel. All MotoGP classes will use a minimum of 40% non-fossil origin fuels. The sport aims to adopt 100% sustainable fuels by 2027. These could be in the form of synthetic or bio-fuels.

According to Jorge Viegas, FIM President, MotoGP hopes to use completely carbon-free fuels for its races by 2027. Even though racing contributes to a small fraction of the overall emissions, the green fuels developed for MotoGP are expected to benefit the motorcycle industry as a whole.

 

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Nazir Hoosein Memorial Drive announced

The Nazir Hoosein Memorial Drive will follow the original route from the 1981 edition.

Team Firefox has officially announced the Nazir Hoosein Memorial Drive that will take place on November 8-13, 2021.

Nazir Hoosein was the founder member of the Indian Automotive Racing Club (IARC) and was the former President of the Federation of MotorSport Clubs of India (FMSCI) in 1984/85.

He also founded the Himalayan Rally. The first edition was held in 1980 and was based on a safari rally format

The Nazir Hoosein Memorial Drive will follow the original route from the 1981 edition. The rally will kick off from Greater Noida. The first stop will be at Lansdowne, followed by Mussoorie and Kufri. On November 11, drivers will take on the Jalori Pass before halting at Manali and on the final day, the participants will cross the Rohtang pass before concluding in Manali.

 

News

Royal Enfield announces Continental GT Cup racing series

The Continental GT Cup will be India's first retro motorcycle racing format.

Royal Enfield is set to enter track racing with the first-ever 'Continental GT Cup' racing series.

The Continental GT Cup will be India's first retro motorcycle racing format. It has been launched in partnership with JK Motorsport. The first race will be held at the JK Tyre National Racing Championship in October 2021.

The track version of the Continental GT will be called the GT-R650. The bike gets numerous modifications, including a stiffer suspension, clip-on handlebars, rear-set footpegs and a sports exhaust that is said to improve performance by 12%. The bike also gets a café racer style fairing and weighs 24 kg less than the road bike. The bike will be equipped with soft compound race tyres by JK Tyres.

Registration for the Continental GT Cup is open from September 22-30. 100 eligible riders will be invited for the Rider Selection Programme to be held at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore on October 18 and 19.

18 riders will be selected to take part in the Continental GT Cup. A total of four rounds will be held starting in October. The grand finale will be held at the Buddh International Circuit in January 2022.

Royal Enfield will also introduce track schools in India with an aim to provide easy and professional training to enthusiasts.

 

News

Formula Regional Indian Championship announced

The series will act as a ladder to the FIA F3 championship, F2 and eventually, Formula 1.

India is getting its first regional championship that will open doors for budding racers to higher categories of single-seater racing.

The Formula Regional Indian Championship is India's first FIA-graded F3 championship. It will consist of 5 rounds with 15 races of 30 minutes each. The grid will comprise 15 drivers, both Indian and international. The series will act as a ladder to the FIA F3 championship, F2 and eventually, Formula 1.

It will enable drivers to qualify for FIA's super license points. F2 regional races, Indian Formula 4 championship and Indian Racing League will serve as support events on race weekends. The F4 India champion will get a free seat in the Formula Regional Indian Championship and the winner of the Formula Regional will move to F3 Asia.

Races will be held from February-March 2022. The first two rounds will be held at the Buddh International Circuit, followed by a street circuit in Hyderabad. Subsequent events will be held at the Kari Motor Speedway and Madras Motor Race Track.

 

News

Mumbai gets a new training track for budding off-roaders

The 10+ km long trail is spread over 65 acres of private land and spans over two mountain tops

If you are the kind of person who loves the outdoors and are seeking a challenge, 'Learn Offroad Training grounds' could be a good place to spend a weekend.

Located around 120 km from Mumbai, off the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the 10+ km long trail is spread over 65 acres of private land and spans over two mountain tops with tracks running all along the mountains and seasonal streams.

There are 8 training tracks of varying difficulty, ideal for testing the skills of every driver right from a newbie to an experienced pro. The tracks are suited for stock vehicles as well as highly modified rigs. There are over 50 curated obstacles designed to test man and machine as well as a Natural Pro Track.

Learn Offroading also offers multi-day training courses with night offroad events. Those who wish to attend these courses have the option to camp out in the wild or stay at the bespoke container homes situated around 3 km from the property.

Learn Offroad Training Grounds are located at Kavale Dam Rd, Near Pali, Raigad, Maharashtra.

 

News

F1: The Hamilton Commission report released

The commission reported that only 1 percent of employees in F1 have black backgrounds.

The Hamilton Commission - an initiative set up by 7-time F1 world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering, has released its first report.

The initiative was set up in June 2020 and was aimed towards increasing diversity in motorsports. After 10 months of research, the commission reported that only 1 percent of employees in F1 have black backgrounds.

The commission is also said to have found multiple societal issues and barriers which have affected black students to pursue a career in engineering and motorsports. In addition to this, the commission is also said to have come up with 10 recommendations to drive change. Once implemented, these recommendations will have a positive impact, allowing an increase in diversity in the motorsport industry.

The report titled "Accelerating Change: improving the representation of black people in UK motorsport", aims to address several issues and barriers, to bring about a long-term change in the industry.

Some of the recommendations in the report include asking F1 teams to introduce a diversity and inclusion charter and also expanding apprenticeship and work experience programmes. The commission also hopes to help launch scholarship programs for black students with an engineering degree and support new approaches to increase the number of black teachers in STEM projects, among many others.

Stefano Domenicali, F1 President & CEO, stated that the sport is committed to change and take action. He stated that he completely agrees with the need to improve diversity and is willing to take necessary action towards the same.

Source: F1

 

News

Motorsports as a career in the Indian racing scene

I thought of creating this thread to start a conversation on the scope & future for anyone who wishes to consider racing as a career.

BHPian Matrix888 recently shared this with other BHPians.

Motorsports is something which is close to our hearts. I thought of creating this thread to start a conversation on the scope & future for anyone who wishes to consider racing as a career.

Compiling some useful videos below. Do share your experiences & trivia about the Indian racing scene to help anyone interested in the same.

A helpful beginner’s guide from Abhimanyu Gautam (Asia-CRR & National podium holder).

Amit Arora (Director at INMRC & Chairman of FMSCI) explaining the basics.

Interview with a National champion, Sandeep Nadimpalli.

Costs associated, shared by the fastest Indian at BIC, Simranjeet Singh.

Key points

Academies

Training & certification from an accredited racing school is a must before applying for a racing license. Cost: Rs. 20,000 to 60,000.

Racing license

After certification, you can apply for a racing license to participate in events. Cost: Rs. 1,500-2,000 according to the category.

Events

One make championships (Low cost entry fee: Rs. 5,000 -10,000, bike is provided by event host).

Endurance, National championships (High cost, own bike).

Tracks

Cost for practice sessions vary from track to track, from Rs. 5,000 for a day of multiple sessions at KMS to about Rs. 15,000 for a session at BIC, which can be pooled by multiple riders.

Total Cost

To get started, Rs. 50,000 to 4 Lacs depending upon various factors like rented suits (Rs. 5-10k) / own (Approx. Rs. 1-1.5L for everything including boots, gloves & helmet).

Type of racing event (Own bike, team / Manufacturer event.)

The difficult part

You’ve gotten your racing license & have made it to the championships. Even have the talent/skills. That is not enough, we need to swallow the bitter pill that without significant sponsorships, making it big in the racing arena is not a piece of cake, far from it.

Motorsports was considered as entertainment & didn’t get the recognition it deserved as a sport by the GOI. In 2020, it was included in the category for central govt. job reservations. A small but encouraging development which does make the future seem bright.

With high costs & almost nil earnings, it may be discouraging for those with limited means & the common dream of racing as a profession.

Here is an inspirational video. Even abroad, in the racing heaven of Italy, it isn’t easy when you don’t have a ton of money. This should give you a perspective & ideas to do something similar. With hard work, creativity, dedication & passion dreams can come true.

We must not lose hope and give up on our dreams, because:

Thanks to Matrix888 again. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

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News

The Crew: A Netflix comedy based around NASCAR

Kevin James plays the role of a crew chief of a relatively unsuccessful NASCAR team.

The Crew is a comedy series based on events that take place in a NASCAR garage. The 10-episode series premiered on Netflix on February 15, 2021.

The series created by Jeff Lowell features Kevin James in the role of a crew chief of a relatively unsuccessful NASCAR team called Bobby Spencer Racing.

The owner of the team decides to step down and hand over the responsibility to his daughter Catherine. She is keen to modernise the team and Kevin is concerned that he might lose his job. He also thinks that Catherine is going to replace Jake Martin - the team's driver. Unlike Jake, Catherine is technically sound.

The official sponsors of the team are pleased with Catherine and love the idea of getting a young woman behind the wheel of the race car.

 

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