Grand prix to be grander for fans

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It’s less than one month to go for Indian grand prix, and it looks like the F1 fans are all set to enjoy the second season of this premier motor sport. Even though the curiosity level has fallen down due to the glitches from last year, the organsiers are leaving no stone unturned this time to present a good show.
The mind-boggling prices of racing tickets and after party performances from last year have considerably dipped this year and the affordable rates have generated a positive response among fans. Junaid Shaikh, operations head, bookmyshow.com, says, “We started promoting the ‘early birds’ tickets for F1 racing around five months back. However, in past one month the sales of the tickets have gone up by 80 per cent and fans are geared up for it. Last year the ticket prices were really high, but this time the prices have dipped and a main grandstand ticket, which was available for `35,000, is available for `21,000 this year. The lowest ticket at the picnic stand is for `3,000 and the other categories are also below `10,000. These tickets are valid for three days so fans can enjoy this sport at a very reasonable price.”
He adds, “We have also sold out the platinum 30-seater boxes that are priced for 50 lakhs each. These boxes are full air-conditioned and have a big LCD display with all the food and drinks facility available inside.”
In the first edition, traffic and parking problems faced by racing fans had created a lot of chaos near the Buddh International Circuit, hence this year the organsiers are planning to increase the special services during the F1 weekend. Sameer Gaur, MD and CEO, Jaypee Sports International Limited, mentions, “This time we will introduced the park-in-drive facility for the racing enthusiasts, and the parking capacity has also been upgraded from 2000 cars to 4,500 cars. The expressway will be open for commuters and there will be direct shuttle services from the city centre metro station for the viewers.”
However, the much-talked about F1 after parties will also see a change in the venue and this year all the glam galas will be diverted from the circuit area towards the main city. Arjun Rampal, actor and owner of LAP nightclub in hotel Samrat, reveals, “After the racing, party lovers can come for the after parties in the capital and enjoy the performance by some of the biggest artistes that we will be bringing down for the F1 weekend. The capacity of this place is around 500 people and depending on the artistes’ fees and other expenses, we will shortly announce the prices for the shows.”