Chennai 16th August 2006 : Tremendous excitement is in the air as Indian motor racing moves to higher levels with the first round of the 10th edition of the J K Tyre National Racing Championship getting underway this weekend at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore. With the new innings of Indian motor sports all set to commence in the city which incidentally happens to be the home town of two Indian motor sports stalwarts - the legendary Karivardhan and the fastest Indian and the country’s pride Narain Karthikeyan - racing enthusiasts are sure that this championship will be a turning point in the history of Indian motor racing.

Over 40 racers drawn from various parts of the country will be taking part in the championship. The qualifying rounds will be held on Saturday, 19th August and the main races will take place on Sunday 20th August.

JK Tyre’s strategic alliance with Maruti, General Motors & Hyundai to promote motor sports in India comes as a shot in the arm for many aspiring racers who have had the will but not the fortune to make a career in formula racing. This alliance which has brought about a remarkable boost to motor racing will see MARUTI, GENERAL MOTORS and HYUNDAI powering LGB Formula Swift, Formula Rolon Chevrolet and LGB Formula Hyundai respectively. The vehicles have been fitted with specially designed “Formula Tyres” from JK Tyre. And for aspiring domestic talent these racing machines will be a major boon as they will be able to race at 1/10th of the international cost.

Formula Swift	Formula Hyundai	Formula Chevrolet

This alliance has also been responsible for evolution of teams like WSRF, Meco Racing, Prime Racing and Rams Racing, which are all set to lay their conquest for the grand title. This year’s championship will also mark the much-awaited entry of Team NK, comprising of race drivers handpicked by none other than Narain Karthikeyan himself.

Among those who will be seen in action in this year’s races will be the quartet from Team NK consisting of Ameya Walavalkar, Aditya Akkineni, Akhil Khushlani and Aditya Patel, while leading the challenge for Team Meco Racing will be Akbar Ebrahim former international racer and father of racing prodigy Armaan Ebrahim. Last year’s champion Rayomand Banajee, Gautam Maini and young Ashwin Sunder also figure in the 7 member team. Team WSRF’s eleven will feature one of the oldest participants - 58 year old Mr.Harvijay Bahia who had earlier rallied on a BMW in the Himalayan Rally – apart from last year champion Amittrajit Ghosh and JK Junior Cup 2006 Champion Ajay Kini. Gaurav Gill the new sensation and the only driver in India who is rallying and racing professionally.. past racing champion who debuted in style in INRC by winning 2 out of 3 rallies so far now is all set to launch in Formula Cheverolet

Other well known names in racing who will be seen in action include former champions Gaurav Dalal, veteran racers B.Vijay Kumar, Rajaram, and Vetrivel. The list of upcoming youngsters features Saran Vikram, Sadanand, Arvind Srinivasan, Vignesh Devarajan and Saahil Shelar amongst others.