The Hindu : Sport : Goodwill and elation at Narain's ascent to F-1

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Thursday, Feb 03, 2005

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Sport

Goodwill and elation at Narain's ascent to F-1

By Our Sports Reporter

COIMBATORE, FEB. 2. The motor sport capital of the South, Coimbatore, is brimming with excitement at Narain Karthikeyan's ascent to Formula One.

"It's a dream come true, but it's only the first step. He has to tread it carefully. Performance counts a lot," says R. Gopinath, Chairman of Spitfire Motor Sports Pvt. Ltd.

Gopinath avers that Indian motor sport is on a high. "But I hope this translates to business in terms of sponsorship."

"It's the best thing to have happened this year. The corporate support has been limited so far, but I hope they now realise that nothing is impossible. It's time sponsors looked up to Indian motor sport," says Sajeev, the Director of Spitfire Motor Sports.

Fantastic achievement

Rally star V.R. Naren Kumar says, "it's a fantastic achievement. It's Narain's confidence and perseverance that has got him this offer. It's fantastic for him and the whole country.

"One thing is pretty clear — racing will be recognised. He is the best and I am sure he will prove himself given the right platform."

The Secretary of the Coimbatore Auto Sports Club, R. Mahendran, says, "an F-1 drive would have been the dream of many an Indian and Narain has finally achieved it. It makes us proud. Most of us who have worked for the sport salute him. Hats off and all the best to him."

Rally driver Arjun Balu, who is one of Narain's cousins, says, "His commitment right through has earned him the place. He has put India on the international map and we wish him luck all the way."

Narain's mother, Sheela Karthikeyan, is understandably elated. "We all knew it would happen. He is a humble son. It's his cool nature that has carried him this far. Even today, he looked very tired. I hope God gives him the kind of energy that can make him do wonders," she says. "Pavarna (Narain's wife) was equally thrilled. It's really hard to describe how we all felt seeing him," Sheela adds.

Dose of realism

Narain's father G.R. Karthikeyan, himself a former national rally driver, however, tempers his joy with a dose of realism. "We are delighted, but frankly speaking he is at the back of the pack," he says.

"Look at his racing series so far. He has always been leading. But now, he has to climb from the bottom of the ladder. It's a new team, but we are confident of his performance. He will drive to the best of his ability and will be under no pressure."

Mr. Karthikeyan points out that Narain will now have to get used to the very nature of F-1, which is unlike other international series Narain has been part of — Formula Nippon and F-3 — where all the cars on the starting grid are of identical make. "In these cars, 90 per cent of the success is attributed to the driver's skills. It's different in F-1."

He says it would be a long, arduous journey for his son. "Jordan is going to use the Toyota engines and the team will have its limitations. But, he has to perform with what he has. He is keen on securing points."

"He has come through the grade and has got rich experience to back him up. But now that he has got the offer he should go all out to preserve it. I am sure he is capable of it."

Our Special Correspondent in Chennai adds:

"The entire motor racing fraternity, and not just the MMSC, is delighted at the news that Narain Karthikeyan is on the F-1 circuit. This, in my opinion, is tantamount to Neil Armstrong taking the first step on the moon. It is a tremendous leap for Narain to be on the F-1 circuit and we all hope more Indians will move into this arena in the years to come."

Champion F-3 driver and a passionate motor racing fan, Akbar Ebrahim says, "this is the best news for us this century. It is difficult to quantify the feeling about it. Narain has been there for quite some time and all of us knew he had put his heart into it. And finally, he has given a new vision to motor racing in this country.

"I am confident that Narain will perform well for Jordan. In the next two years I expect a lot to happen in the team's set up."

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