The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) today reiterated its commitment to promote all forms of motorsports in India at the 39th AGM which was held in Chennai. The FMSCI also unanimously re-elected Mr. Vicky Chandhok to continue as President. India had yet another iconic year of motorsports with the successful running of the 2nd Formula One Indian Grand Prix and the 286 other events under the FMSCI banner. In terms of permits 310 permits were issued in 2011 and up to 27th November 2012, a total of 302 permits have been issued maintaining a healthy trend.
The FMSCI Council for the year 2012-13 elected its Office Bearers with the continuation of Dr. Vijay Mallya as Chairman, Mr. Chandhok as President and Mr. Bharat Raj as Vice President. For the first time, the FMSCI will have its Annual Awards Ceremony for 2012 and while organizers have their own awards ceremony the FMSCI has decided to play host for all winners of the National Championships. This will take place in the end of January 2013.
In terms of high profile events, on the back of the success of the second Indian F1 Grand Prix, the FMSCI also confirmed that Round 2 of the 2013 World Superbike Championship will run in India in March 2013. The grade one Buddh International Circuit will get its final FIM inspection on 19-20 January 2013 to then play host to 2 wheeler racing. The Formula 1 race in Greater Noida also saw full feature grids in the newly launched MRF Challenge 2012 and the returning JK Tyre Asia Series which ran as the support events.
President Vicky Chandhok strongly believes that the members and clubs were instrumental in making this yet another successful year for Indian motorsport. He said, “With constant interaction from members nationwide, sporting commission members and members of the Council, motorsport in India is certainly on its continuous upward trend. It is the passion and commitment from the clubs that makes all this possible. 2012 saw another successful running of the F1 Indian GP and the first ever running of the National Championship. Next year we will have our very first World Superbike Race at the Buddh International Circuit which is a great opportunity for 2-wheeler racing to make a bigger impact in India. Watching the different categories of the National Racing Championship at the BIC was also a proud moment for all parties involved. We will push for more events like the Sidvin Festival of Speed.”
It is imperative that the various commissions continue their good work from last year to ensure we develop and improve year on year. We have to look into the areas that require improvement and make sure we make the necessary changes to make it a success.” added Chandhok.
The FMSCI has been working closer with the FIA and FIM to ensure that motorsports in the country constantly improves to reach international standards. The FIM sanctioned a healthy sum of USD 50,000 + to improve the riding skills of our SX / MX riders and Brad Ripple from the US conducted three programmes in Chandigarh, Nashik and Bangalore. Constant interaction with the world bodies have also resulted in an excellent FIA Action for Road Safety campaign which was highly successful and initiated during the Formula 1 week end by the FMSCI.
FMSCI National Championship this year were:
1) 15th JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship (4W)
2) MMSC SIDVIN FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (2W)
3) FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship (4W)
4) MRF FMSCI National Supercross Championship (2W)
5) 9th JK Tyre FMSCI National Rotax Max Karting Championship
6) Gulf FMSCI National Dirt Track Championship (2W)
7) JK Tyre FMSCI Indian National TSD Rally Championship (4w)
8) FMSCI Indian National Autocross Championship (4w)
The following clubs were elected to the council for the forthcoming year:
- MMSC (Madras Motor Sports Club)
- CASC (Coimbatore Auto Sports Club)
- KMSC (Karnataka Motor Sports Club)
- Sportstrek (Pune)
- MSCC(Motorsports Club of Chikmaglur )
- HMSA (Himalayan Motor Sports Association)
- Spitfire Motorsports Pvt Ltd (Coimbatore)
- WISA (Western India Sports Association)