First ever initiative to identify, nurture and promote young, racing talent in India
First multi city Karting challenge in India
First time in India EVO-AE 1 Karts with the latest version of the Subaru 4 stroke engines are being used

Chennai, June 19, 2007: Imagine a massive media event, millions of people watching with trepidation, billions of bucks in sponsorships and the meanest and fastest cars in business and you are transported to the mystical and magical world of Formula one, the most competitive car racing event ever in the history of this planet.

To map this country and be a part of this huge global sport, to inculcate youngsters with the need to speed and to transcend their careers in the world arena is a responsibility that Amaron seeks to achieve with its first ever multi city, “Amaron Karting Challenge 2007”.

To identify, nurture and groom more Indian racing champs, leading battery maker Amara Raja Batteries, in association with ace racer Akbar Ebrahim, Meco Motor Sports, today announced the launch of the “Amaron Karting Challenge 2007”.

The challenge itself is a test of grit and glory and true to style; the winners will get to be a part of the prestigious Amaron Karting Scholarship Programme which shall prepare them for tomorrow.

The Karts EVO-AE 1 being used in the Amaron Karting Challenge have been introduced in India for the first time. EVO-AE 1 karts are first-rate karts which are topped with latest technology version of the Subaru 4 stroke engines which have a power output of 9 BHP.

How to register

The registration forms can be accessed through www.amaron.in. Entries for the Chennai challenge will open on the 26th June and will close on the 5th July at 5 pm.

Event details

The first 250 entries in each city will be chosen to participate in the Karting challenge. They will undergo a practice prior to the event which will be scheduled on Friday of the race weekend.

* The fastest 64 karters qualified will be divided into 8 karters per batch and will take part in 8 heats.
* The top 4 of each batch will then qualify to move into Pre Final heats. There will be totally 4 pre final heats which the 32 qualified karters will need to pass.
* Semifinals will include top four karters from the heats and the semi finals will have 2 races for qualification.
* Finally, the top 4 from the Semi Final qualifiers will compete against each other to win the race in the finals.
* The top 3 winners in the Final race will qualify for the Grand Finale which will be held in Goa on the 21st October 2007.

The winner of the Grand Finals will earn a scholarship berth in the Amaron Karting team in 2008 to take part in the JK Tyre Rotax Max Challenge and the Indian National Rotax Max Championship.

“Brand Amaron has long been associated with Motor Racing. Amaron Pro Racing Initiative has been consciously working towards empowering young racing talent in the country. Our objective for Amaron karting Scholarship Program is to support and help these young aspirants do well and also enable them to move on to bigger races. These talented racers will be trained under the guidance of the Amaron NK Racing Academy” said Mr. Jay Galla, Managing Director, Amara Raja Batteries Limited.

Commenting on the new programme Mr. Akbar Ebrahim said, “The Amaron Scholarship Program is a big advantage for the young hopefuls and now they can go ahead and focus on winning. With practice and good skills, they can also set their sights on to bigger levels of achievement.”

Mr. Galla added, “As a part of the Amaron Pro Racing initiative, the Amaron Karting Challenge objective is to identify and build talent at the grass root level and the Amaron Scholarship Program will nurture and promote the future champions”.

1. Amaron Karting Challenge: To encourage junior/ senior school talent through national-level karting challenge championship programs.
2. Amaron-NK Racing Academy: To nurture talent and promote motor-racing in association with Narain Karthikeyan -the fastest Indian and the first Indian to reach the pinnacle of motor-sport.
3. Sponsorship-Endorsement program: To provide continuous support to the Indian talent by the way of sponsorship.
4. Amaron Scholarship Program: A novel initiative to support young aspirants and build talent to move them to bigger races.
5. Merchandise program: To induce a sense of aspiration based on the motor-sport lifestyle and grow the motor-sporting community.
6. Formula Amaron Asia: The scope of the AMARON PRO Racing initiative will encompass amongst other things to eventually run a prestigious championship.

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