9,000 km away, city roots for Karthikeyan
The Indian Express — March 4, 2005

Scrawled on gigantic message boards, in multi-coloured ink, the message is clear. When Narain Karthikeyan makes his Formula One motor racing debut on Sunday morning, some 9,000 km away, Mumbai will be rooting for him. So what if his fans are not avid followers of the sport? Bhavans College student Kunal Shah has scribbled his message on the cards distributed by the Tatas—Karthikeyan's main sponsor—as part of their 'Wish Karthikeyan' campaign.

But quiz him about Michael Schumacher and he mumbles: "He races in F2 or Fl, whatever. Now, Narain has been selected and he's doing something good for India." The first-year Bachelor of Management Studies student admits he's fuzzy on the details. "Because of my exams, I stopped reading newspapers and watching television a month ago," Shah explains. The Tata group has been doing the rounds of the city with two vans filled with message boards and cards.

The pit stops? Colleges and shopping malls. Outside an Andheri college, management students Revati Sabani and Sneha Nathani know that March 6 is a big day in Karthikeyan's career, but are clueless about the venue and other details. "Just a second," says Nathani, racking her brains trying to recall the name of Karthikeyan's team "It's Nathani, only to admit a minute later that she has no idea. Not everybody is as confused though. Fl enthusiast Murgesh Parmeshwaran is a first-year engineering student from Coimbatore, Karthikeyan's hometown.

When his parents needed a colourful image to meet their Feng Shui demands, "Michael Schumacher scored over Aishwarya Rai." This avid motor racing fan confidently rattles off details. "His teammate is Tiago from Portugal, there are 20 drivers, Karthikeyan should come in at least the top ten," he says. As the D-Day nears, fans have also started taking sides. Mahendra Kharat, a Science student wearing a multi-coloured shirt bearing Fl logos, insists his loyalties lie with Schumacher, "He is a seven-time champion, he has the experience."

Chintan Shah agrees. "Karthikeyan is a good driver, but ultimately, the sport is about speed and reliability." Shah says he's all for patriotism, "but Karthikeyan's engine has no chance against Schumacher's advanced Ferrari."

Pit stop

• The first race of the season begins with the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne on March 6. It will be telecast on Star Sports from 7.30 am
• Sports Bar at Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel, and Tendulkar's at Colaba—famous for F1 telecasts—will be closed at that time. But fans can catch the action at Karma Lounge and Restaurant, Marine Drive, from 7.30 am, Apart from a sumptuous breakfast, there are prizes to be won too
• Travel companies have started promoting Asian venues—Malaysia in particular—exhorting people to come and watch Karthikeyan. Sepang in Malaysia will host the second race of the season and tour packages are priced at Rs 20,000