COIMBATORE: Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan has picked fourteen young racing guns from across the country for the final shootout to be held at the Kari Motor Speedway in Chettipalayam, near here on Tuesday.

Briefing the media on Monday, Narain said that from the selected bunch, four would get a chance to take part in the 2006 JK Tyre National racing championship.

"I have chosen 14 drivers from dozens of applications and I feel they are the best available talent at the moment in India," said Narain.

"The selection will be based on speed, fitness and the ability to work with the team. The chosen few must consider themselves lucky to be supported by Amaron, Speed (BPCL) and JK Tyre. I did not get such support when I began my career. So, it's time they make the best use of it," he added.

Amaron, Speed and Narain have created two racing teams — Amaron NK Racing and Speed NK Racing.

"These teams, which will comprise of two cars, will participate in the Formula Rolon category of the 2006 JK Tyre championship," he said.

The six-round championship will begin at the Kari Motor Speedway on Aug. 20 and will wind up at the Sriperumbudur circuit in December.

"The Formula Rolon car is the highest category single-seater racing car in India and similar to the Formula Asia cars. It's the beginning of a new chapter. Thanks to LG Sports," said Narain.

A superlative machine

The Formula Rolon will be the first-ever Indian designed and built racing car with aerodynamic wings, a racing gearbox and will be run on JK Tyre. It will be a brand-new purpose-built racecar, powered by a 120bhp, 1.6-litre fuel-injected engine.

"The selected team will operate from my father's garage. The Formula Marutis that marked my beginning were prepared from this workshop," he revealed.

On Tuesday, he will put the youngsters to the paces. The drivers will have a free practice session followed by a 10-lap run. It will not be sheer speed that Narain will be looking for. "Consistency will be the key," he added.

Narain and his corporate partners looked excited about this new venture that looks to strengthen their commitment to Indian motor sport by developing it from the grassroots level into a world-class sport.

The probables: Aditya Akkineni, Aditya Patel, Akhil Khuslani, Saahil Shelar, Deepak Chinnappa, Ajay Kini, Saran Vikram, Sharan Parekh, Kartik Shanker, Ashwin Sunder, Charen Chandran, Sudarshan Rao, Vignesh Devarajan, Kunal Shah.

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