The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Motor : MRF International Challenge

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Thursday, Jun 28, 2007
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MRF International Challenge

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: Racing of the highest standard, involving four-wheelers and two-wheelers, will make its debut in India with the MRF International Challenge Racing Championship.

Two rounds will be held this year at the Kari Memorial Speedway in Coimbatore — August 26 and December 16 — according to Anthony Rodricks, motorsports in-charge at MRF Limited, while addressing a media briefing here on Wednesday.

The event is being organised by Bathena & Associates, represented by former national rally champion, Farad Bathena. Robin Shroff, administrator at Motorsports Association of India (official ASN of FIA in India) was also present.

The MRF International Challenge will be a Touring Car Championship and is expected to attract about 100 competitors. The Asian Motor Racing Club of Sri Lanka confirmed participation of 12 GT cars, with a mix of Evo9 and Subaru ones.

The other four-wheeler categories are Asian 1600 Saloon class, Indian Open upto 1600cc Turbocharged; Turbo 2000 turbocharged Indian cars; Super 2000 Naturally Aspirated Indian cars; Super 1600 Naturally Aspirated Indian cars and upto 1450cc Group N Naturally Aspirated Indian cars.

In the two-wheeler category, trophies will be up for grabs in two-stroke Indian bikes Group C 160cc; four-stroke Indian bikes Group B 250cc and foreign bikes upto 600cc and upto 1000cc.

Rodricks also announced the introduction of Formula MRF 1600 cars later this year. The cars will be built, on the lines of the internationally popular Formula Ford 1600, by J. Anand of Jaya Automobiles, Coimbatore, at the MRF Powerhouse in Chennai.

The prototype is expected to be ready for testing by October 1, 2007.

Team MRF will race two of the 10 cars manufactured, eight will be rented out to aspiring racers for competing anywhere in the world, as vehicle specifications will meet the Formula 1600 racing requirements, Rodricks said.

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