The International Federation for Motocycles (FIM) has unanimously approved and cleared a grant for the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of India (FMSCI) towards costs of our first Indian rider in the MotoGP, Sarath Kumar in the 125cc category, and also towards costs of inviting foreign trainers to train Indian Supercross and Motocross riders therefore improving the local standard of racing in India. The FIM Management Reserve Funds Committee have thus added to the interest shown towards Indian motorsport and while an Indian Formula 1 Grand Prix is on the horizon, this news is indeed a step towards improving 2 wheeler racing standards and providing a stepping stone for more young Indians to achieve success on 2 wheels as well.
Shyam Kothari, Chairman of the Two Wheeler Motocross and Supercross Commission was elated with the news and said, “The grant marks an incredible achievement by the FMSCI towards the development of the sport in India and I’m sure that we will see our riders greatly benefit from the training to follow from the best of trainers from other parts of the world as well.”
The sanctioned amounts towards Sarath Kumar and development of Indian Supercross and Motocross through foreign trainers is over $100,000 and a plan of action has been set in place by the FMSCI towards the maximum utilisation of the grants provided by the FIM.
India’s sole representative in the MotoGP Sarath Kumar expressed his sincere thanks to the FMSCI and said, “I would really like to give my hearfelt thanks to the FMSCI and in particular Mr. Vicky Chandhok and Mr. Rajan Syal without whom this grant and this funding would not be possible. With no other Indian rider currently at this level, I am extremely grateful for this funding which is very hard to attain and I will do my best to make the FMSCI proud and use this funding in the best manner possible. It is not without the efforts of the FMSCI officials that I am here today and I wish to continue to do the country proud and achieve some good results in the MotoGP.”
Amit Arora, Chairman, Two Wheeler Racing Commission, further expressed the benefit of such a grant towards young riders, “This comes at an important time where India now has our first ever rider in the MotoGp 125cc class and this will help Sarath Kumar immensely to complete his first season in this elite class of Motorcycle racing” .
The FMSCI had previously earmarked 2011 to be an important year for Indian motorsport and President of the FMSCI, Vicky Chandhok believes that this is yet another indication of the same, “I’d firstly like to thank the FIM for recognising the work that the FMSCI has put in over the last few years and for acknowledging the importance of India in global motorsport today. I would also have to congratulate Rajan Syal, FMSCI CEO, and our team in the secretariat for making this possible.”
FMSCI achieved another milestone by issuing 180 permits in the first half of 2010, which is a massive achievement for the federation. This shows that the FMSCI is issuing permits for events at an average of one a day for the first half of the year, which is more than it has ever been at this stage of the year.
Vicky Chandhok, FMSCI President, summarized it by saying, “2011 has been a great year for Indian motorsports. This achievement is a testament to the growing popularity of motorsports in India and we at FMSCI are glad that we are able to play an important role in achieving this.”
Indian motorsport is currently on an all time high with two Indian drivers and a team in Formula 1, an Indian Grand Prix on the horizon and now a foray into two wheeler racing as well adding another feather to an already illustrious cap.
