The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Motor : Hoosein tries to clear air

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Monday, Aug 11, 2008
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Sport - Racing : Motor

Hoosein tries to clear air

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: The President of the Motorsports Association of India, Mr. Nazir Hoosein made a strong bid to clear the air over the uncertainties hovering over the conduct of the Indian National Rally Championship. In the lead up to the K-1000 held here from August 8-10 especially over whether the top tyre manufacturing teams would participate, Mr. Hoosein expressed his happiness that the teams did turn out and that the K-1000 attracted a strong starting line-up of 51 cars.

Assuring the drivers and the media that the forthcoming events planned in the Indian National Rally Championship would go on in the same format as the K-1000, Mr. Hoosein also provided a few sops to the drivers in the Rally Star Cup category assuring them that a sum of Rs. 15,000 would be given (to the first 25 drivers who register) for purchase of whichever brand of tyres they chose to use for their cars.

Mr. Hoosein also affirmed to the media that there was a Plan ‘B’ to identify a new title sponsor for the rest of the calendar. This was necessary as the meeting with Sidvin Core Tech’s Mr. Mohan Nagarajan did not prove to be fruitful as differences between the two cropped up.

He also said that he would announce in the next 10 days MAI’s plans for TV coverage of the sport.

Mr. Hoosein explained in detail the events that led to his clipping of powers to run the INRC and how he regained control of the authority. It was unfortunate that a compromise between MAI and FMSCI had not materialised and a new body called the Indian Motorsports Federation did not accrue. Mr. Hoosein felt that the best solution would have been for a merger between MAI and FMSCI to happen.

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