Toyota Etios Motor Racing will make its maiden entry into the city in the form of the Etios Motor Racing (EMR) Trophy when the third leg of the FMSCI National Racing Championship gets under way at the Kari Motor Speedway in Chettipalayam here this weekend.
OrganisersThe Madras Motor Sports Club, the organisers of the event, is obviously excited about having Toyota EMR back for the Coimbatore event. Its president Ajith Thomas was obviously pleased with its entry.
“Toyota has a rich motorsport history and we are very happy to have them race in this championship.”
WomenThe EMR drivers, about 16 of them including two women from across the country, will compete against each other in the second edition of the EMR Trophy, which will be held in both Coimbatore (Kari Circuit) and Noida (Buddh International Circuit).
They will feature in eight races over two race weekends and the top drivers include Advait Deodhar and Prashant Tharani Singh.
The drivers are also excited about taking part in the two-day event.
“It is a professionally-run championship. And, Toyota is doing an incredible job. We have been trained to push the car to the limit,” they said.
Announcing its return to the race circuit, N. Raja, senior vice-president, Sales and Marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said the EMR is a one-make race series and was introduced in India in 2012.
“We want to contribute to the growth of motorsports in India and, with it, connect the sport to our customers.
“We also want to promote motorsports at the grassroots level and make it even more accessible for the young drivers.”
He was pleased to bring the race to his hometown Coimbatore.
“It is the motorsport capital and has groomed top drivers. We don't want to end up with just this series. We want to get into multiple events.
“N. Leelakrishnan [seven-time national rally champion from Coimbatore] has also played a major role for us in this championship,” he added.
The competitors, who are trained by professionals, will race in identically prepared Etios for the championship, he said.
Attention“The Etios Motor Racing Car built on the same platform as the Etios has garnered a lot of attention from both customers and motorsports enthusiasts alike,” said C.S. Vigneshwar, Deputy Managing Director, Anaamalais Toyota.
DriversThe EMR Trophy driver line-up consists of a mix of existing and new drivers.
The inaugural edition held at the Noida circuit saw Kerala's Diljith emerge as its first champion.
There are lots of other excitements lined up in store for the spectators during the big-time event.
