MRF’s new car a fillip to racing

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Powered by a two-litre Renault engine and built around the stylish Dallara chassis, MRF's brand new Formula 2000cc car is set to revolutionise motorsport in the country.

Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan is so impressed with the prototype that he can’t wait to take the car out for testing.

A fleet of 25 cars is expected to be ready in August and Narain will enthrall the crowd with a demo run in Chennai to mark the launch. The road show in Delhi will be flagged off by cricketer Gautam Gambhir.

Ever since MRF announced their path-breaking single-seater project after Indian Grand Prix last year, racing enthusiasts have been eagerly waiting to have a glimpse of the most sophisticated Formula car ever assembled in the country.

Narain says the carbon-fibre marvel with a six-speed sequential gearbox would be a delight for the racers.

“Italian company Dallara, the chassis partners, and engine suppliers Renault of France need no introduction in motorsport. It only goes on to underline the reliability of the car,” said Narain.

All cars will be shod with MRF racing slicks and wets, designed to match the Dallara Formulino Pro. The MRF Challenge will start at the Buddh International Circuit on October 27. The opening round will be a support race for the Indian Grand Prix.

The second round will be held at the same venue when FIA’s GT1 Championship comes to India on December 1.

The 10-race challenge (four race weekends) will conclude in Chennai in February 2013. The prize purse is $130,000.

The organisers are in talks with European as well as Asian drivers. The grid will also feature Indians. MRF are also working out the possibilities of conducting races abroad from season two.

Koshy Varghese, MRF's executive vice president of marketing, says the tyre major are continuously striving to offer the best to their consumers. “The input from these races will be used to build our world-class tyres,” he added.

Calendar

Round 1: October 27& 28 (BIC, Noida). Round 2: December 1 & 2 (BIC, Noida). Round 3: February 1, 2 & 3 (Chennai). Round 4: February 8,9 & 10 (Chennai).