Racetrack comes alive at Kari Motor Speedway

Coimbatore: The sound of Formula One cars reverberated around the Kari Motor Speedway at Chettipalayam here after a gap of nine months when the 23rd JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship (JKNRC) was flagged off on Friday.

While the National championship class on JK Formula LGB 4, an Indian manufactured single seater racing car, has received 26 entries, the JK Tyre Novice Cup for rookie drivers racing the Formula 1300s has received 16 entries.

The championship used to have four rounds – three in Coimbatore and the final round in New Delhi. “But this year, due to the pandemic, we have restricted the number of rounds to two, which will be conducted in Coimbatore,” said Hari Singh, head of operations of JK Tyre Motorsports.

On Friday, two races for round 1 in each category were conducted. The final round is scheduled to take place on January 20. “We have enforced all Covid-19 precautionary measures. We are screening temperature and oxygen level of everyone, including the racers,” Singh said. “We used to conduct several promotional activities and a lot of spectators, including school children, used to watch the race here. But this year, we have restricted the number of spectators.”

The tracks have been renovated at a cost of Rs 3 crore, after a gap of 20 years.

“I have been waiting for the championship because it has been almost a year since I drove a Formula One,” said racer Vishnu Prasad from Chennai. “I used to test drive at least once a month. But the pandemic made it impossible. Racing on the new tracks is challenging as I was used to the old tracks. The new tracks are too smooth, making it difficult to overtake, especially at the coroners.”

Mira Erda from Gujarat said she kept herself fit during the lockdown period and practised using simulators.


Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.