Sports/Olympics / Feature and Column
Motor Racing-Karthikeyan nurtures Indian F1 dreams
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-08-01 09:19
NEW DELHI, Aug 1 - When Narain Karthikeyan was chasing his dream of
joining Formula One's elite, many at home in India felt he was being over
ambitious.
Having made history as India's first Formula One driver last year, the
Williams test driver is now backing plans to help fellow dreamers in his
homeland by setting up a support structure that he lacked as an aspiring
driver.
As a first step, Karthikeyan, 29, has launched two teams with young
drivers hand-picked by him for this month's national racing series,
finding them sponsorship and lending the teams his name.
His eventual plans are to start an academy, providing talented Indian
drivers with guidance and sponsorship backing, and saving them from
having to go to expensive overseas training schools as he did.
"I wanted to give back something to the sport," Karthikeyan told Reuters.
"The whole programme was put together with the help of my Indian
sponsors."
Karthikeyan drove for Jordan in his rookie year but his role has been
limited this season as the second test driver for Williams.
"I'm the most experienced Indian driver," he said. "I'm happy I can give
them some time this year."
ASPIRING DRIVERS
Although thousands follow F1 races on television in Indian cities, with
the interest increased since Karthikeyan's arrival, aspiring drivers have
struggled due to poor support and lack of guidance.
Karthikeyan said he had received enquiries from would-be drivers or their
parents since he entered Formula One.
"You won't believe, I get so many e-mails," he said. "There is so much
interest, enthusiasm. I'm happy I can reply to them."
Motor racing in India was an elite and low-key affair until the country
experienced rapid economic growth and several cities introduced karting
tracks. Now, the sport attracts many less affluent youngsters.
India is already seen as a future F1 destination thanks to its huge
market potential and growing interest in sports other than cricket.
Karthikeyan selected four drivers from among 14 candidates after
supervising trials in his hometown Coimbatore in southern India, focusing
mainly on the contenders' speed, fitness and ability to work as a team.
Page: 1 2
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
Today's Top News
� Defense minister pledges peaceful cross-Strait ties
� Iran's Aug. 31 deadline under resolution
� Fight stepped up against bribery
� Israel approves wider ground offensive
� Beijing to build second international airport
Top Sport News
Alibaba is the largest B2B marketplace in the world. Source model ship,
wooden puzzle, one-piece toilet, RC hovercraft, photo album, prom dress,
pocket bike, Vaginal Speculum, Samurai Sword, String Panty and PVC Pipe.
Learn Chinese, Chinese School, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing, Travel to Tibet
No comments:
Post a Comment