September 23: The country’s best two-wheeler riders will be seen in action in the opening round of the Gulf Dirt Track National Championship 2011.
The popular Gulf Dirt Track series has, this year, been accorded National status by the FMSCI and will be called as Gulf Dirt Track National Championship – A Round Of FMSCI Championship 2011
To be conducted by Mumbai’s Sportscraft, the first of four rounds of the Gulf Dirt Track National Championship 2011 will be held in Jodhpur on October 1st and 2nd, 2011 at Polo Ground.
The other rounds have been fixed for November 12-13 (Round 2), December 22-23 (Round 3) and December 24 (Round 4), though the venues for the same have yet to be finalized.
Points garnered by the riders over the four rounds will determine the National champion.
Rajan Syal, CEO of the FMSCI commented, “ It is indeed heartening to see that this year the GULF DIRT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP is a National Championship and our thanks to Gulf OIL and the promoters Sportscraft both of whom have been promoting motorsports in India for last several decades . The competitors can expect some top class racing and competition in each class.”
Going by the popularity and competition witnessed in the Gulf Dirt Track Racing series over the last two years, the first leg in Jodhpur should be very competitive.
For those unfamiliar with the event, dirt track racing is like an Formula race on motorcycles, where riders, after a mass start, speed around a serpentine track, often slushy at places, looking to cross the finish first.
The race is an exercise in judicious maneuvering and good balance of the bike around the many sharp bends.
While Bangalore-based TVS riders Pramod Joshua, H.K Pradeep and R. Natraj are likely to be the main contenders in the glamour class of the event — Indian Expert class for foreign motorcycles. To challenge them will be Shamim Khan & Vineeth Kurup from Nasik.
This first leg could throw up new challengers from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad.
In sum racing enthusiasts of Jodhpur have a treat in store. Besides some class riding they will also have the opportunity to see the latest dirt racing bikes from the Suzuki and Honda stables.
The popularity of dirt track racing over the last couple of years has prompted Gulf Oil to renew its commitment to the sport and offer riders a chance to show off their skills in a safe environment.
The closing date for standard entries is September 22 and for late September 27.
