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`I took the slights as a challenge'

Narain Karthikeyan and Jayadev Galla share notes about life in the fast track

PHOTO: SHAJU JOHN

ON A NEW LAP Narain Karthikeyan with the Managing Director of Amron, Jay Galla

Jayadev Galla knew next to nothing about motor sport when he first met Narain Karthikeyan. He went by (then Ford India president) Phil Spender's assessment of Narain's skills on the tarmac and signed the young racer as Amaron's brand ambassador. He was taking a chance on the speed kid from Coimbatore. Since then, the managing director of Amara Raja Batteries has grown in knowledge of the sport. And he did not seek an opinion while appointing NK as head of his racing academy.

The two had a free-wheeling chat as Prince Frederick listened in.

Galla: I've known you only since the time you were riding the crest in the British Formula Three Championship. I don't know what you went through to get to that stage. How did you get interested in racing? What shaped you into what you are today?

Narain: I've enjoyed racing from a very young age. My first hero was Aryton Senna. He was killed (in an accident) around the time I was contemplating a career in single-seater. I grew up in the right environment — my father, as you know, has been involved in motor sport in a big way. Although my family has been supportive from the beginning, I've had to face detractors outside. These people thought it was a joke when I told them I wanted to be a professional driver and make it to Formula One. Even potential sponsors did not take me seriously. Some of them told me, `Why don't you start playing cricket?' This response hardened my resolve to become a professional racer. I took the slights as a challenge; I wanted to prove these people wrong. In the early stage, the financial burden was too much to bear. By 1999, when I was registering victories in the British Formula Three championship, big groups began to back me. That is the time you came along as well. Do you remember the first time you met me?

Galla: I met you at a press conference in the presence of Phil Spender (of Ford India).

Narain: Did you think I would make it to Formula One?

Galla: To be honest, at that time I did not know too much about racing. Certainly, Phil had a good opinion about your talent and said you had the ability to graduate to the top level. Because I asked him, `How far do you think this kid is going to go?' I went by his word. As I gained more knowledge about the sport, I gained confidence in you as well. Narain, do you think the kind of infrastructure available in the country is sufficient to produce the kind of talent we need?

Narain: Since the last 10 years, motor sport has come a long way. When I started, nobody had heard of go-karting even as a fun activity. Today, there are about 50 go-karting circuits around the country. They may not be of international standard; but then, as they say, something is better than nothing. As far as racing goes, there are two permanent circuits. The new Formula ROLON car will raise the standard; this is on a par with the cars used at the entry level in European championships. The Amaron initiative will go a long way in promoting motor sport in the country. If other corporate houses pitch in as well, the rate of progression will be faster.

Galla: Guess catching them young is the key to results in this sport.

Narain: In Europe, children are started off on go-karting at age seven or eight. They move on to racing at 15 or 16. Karting is the grass-roots level of racing. The earlier children are introduced to it, the better. I heard you discovered Aditya Akkineni...

Galla: I saw him the very first time he sat in a kart. Although I had never been in one, I knew this boy would go places.

Narain: Have you tried the wheel of a racing car yet? Would you like to?

Galla: Absolutely! I've been trying not to lay pressure on you by saying, "Narain, get me into a racing car." Now that you have asked me, I'll take the liberty of doing that. I'd like to get behind the wheel of a single-seater.

Narain: It is a different experience. Since you are close to the ground, you can feel the acceleration. You should have a go at it.

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