FMSCI reiterates commitment to all forms of motor sports in the country

Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the sole national motor sport federation recognised by the Government of India, has recapitulated its commitment for the promotion of all types of motor sports in the country. FMSCI is a government body for the promotion and control of all major motor sport activities going on Indian turf. FMSCI organised its 39th Annual general Meeting (AGM) in Chennai on December 11, 2012, where it unanimously re-elected Vicky Chandhok for his second term as the group's President. The 2012 year has been great for adventure motor sports in the country, as FMSCI successfully organised the 2012 Airtel Formula One Indian Grand Prix along with 286 other motor sporting events this year. Further, some 310 permits were allotted in 2011, while a total number of 302 permits have been issued till November 27, 2012 by FMSCI, underlining continuation of a healthy trend.

The FMSCI Council for the period 2012-13 has elected its top Office Bearers with the continuation of Vicky Chandhok as President, Dr. Vijay Mallya as Chairman and Bharat Raj as its Vice President (VP). Reportedly, it is for the first time that FMSCI will conduct its separate 2012 Annual Awards Ceremony, while the organizers will celebrate their own awards giving ceremony. However, FMSCI has planned to play host for the winning participants of all major National Championships at the ceremony, which will take place somewhere around the end of January 2013.

Coming to high profile global motor sporting events, FMSCI, riding high on the back of its immensely successful 2012 Airtel Formula One Indian Grand Prix, has also affirmed that 2nd Round of the 2013 World Superbike Championship will take place on Indian turf. The high speed super sports bike championship is expected to see Indian daylight in March 2013. Accordingly, in order to play host to the global two-wheeler motor sporting spectacle, the 'Grade 1' Buddh International Circuit (BIC) is going to get its final inspection done by FIM, between January 19 and 20, 2013. The Formula One race held in BIC, Greater Noida also witnessed complete feature grids during the newly introduced 2012 MRF Challenge and the returning JK Tyre Asia Series, which were organised as support events.

FMSCI's re-elected President Vicky Chandhok is of the strong opinion that members and clubs associated with the body were influential in making 2012 year a great success for the Indian motor sport scenario. Further, Chandhok was quoted as saying, “With constant interaction from members nationwide, sporting commission members and members of the Council, motor sport 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.”

Chandhok further added, “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.”

The FMSCI is closely working together with the FIA and FIM, so as to make sure that motor sports events being organised in the country are continuously improved to match international standards. The FIM has approved a hefty sum of over $ 50,000 to improve the overall skills of SX / MX riders. Further, Brad Ripple from the United States has organised three programmes alone in Nashik, Chandigarh and Bangalore. Regular interaction with the motor sport bodies functional across the globe have also resulted in a remarkable FIA Action for Road Safety campaign. The campaign was immensely successful and was organised during the Formula One weekend by FMSCI.

FMSCI National Championships organised during 2012 have been summarised below: