Chennai: Indian tyre major MRF today launched Formula 2000, a racing car for the MRF Challenge 2012, a series which will be held as a support race for the Formula One Indian Grand Prix in October this year.
Launching the red coloured car, MRF brand Ambassador and India's first F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan drove the car around the Express Avenue Mall here this evening.
"This is first of its kind (experience) driving around the mall. To drive such a high speed car, it was not that easy in a mall but I took the chance. The fan support was great," Narain said.
On conceptualising the state of the art car, former International driver J Anand, the man behind making this car said, "MRF wanted a world class car to show case the company's tyre technology. We thought introducing Formula 3 type of car is the possible way to achieve the goal and thereby provide chances for the Indian talent to show case their abilities."
Meanwhile, Arun Mamman, managing director of MRF said, "the car has been built by Jayem Automobiles Ltd, Coimbatore under technical collaboration with Automobili Dalara of Italy from whom the chassis has been sourced. The racing engines have been supplied by Renault-Sport in France."
He said, "the car could touch a speed of 260 KMPH and is a carbon fibre marvel with a six-speed sequential gearbox, conforming to the latest 2012 FIA crash-test specifications
for Formula 3. The tyres have been specifically designed for high octane racing and speed and stability, as well as high speed corner grip."
Koshy Varghese, Vice President marketing of MRF said, the cost of each of the 20 cars manufactured for the 2012 series is Rs.50 lakh. The fee for the whole season of ten races for the Indian and international drivers will be Rs. 45 lakh."
As per the calendar of events for the MRF Challenge 2012, first two rounds will be held as support races at Budh circuit in Greater Noida. First would be on October 27 and 28 with the F1 Indian Grand Prix and second on Dec 1 and 2 with FIA GT1 event.
The final two rounds will be held in Chennai on February 1 and 3 and 8 and 10 respectively.
Comments
0 comment