Tata Racing, Speed from Bharat Petroleum and Red Bull – the three brands who have been constantly supporting Narain Karthikeyan in his endeavours to make a mark in the international motor racing arena, have come together to announce the launch one of India’s most exciting Go-Karting events till date called ‘Can You Beat the Fastest Indian?’ This national Go-Karting Challenge will kick off with the first selection qualifying regionals in Goa on January 15, 2005 followed by Bangalore on January 22, 2005, Hyderabad on January 27, 2005 and Mumbai on February 3, 2005. The grand finale will be held in Mumbai on February 6, 2005. The event will be held under the International Sporting Code of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), applicable definitions of the Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK) and the National Karting Regulations of the Motorsports Association of India (MAI).

‘Can you Beat the Fastest Indian?’ is an attempt by Tata Racing, Speed and Red Bull to get Narain Karthikeyan – India’s F-1 hope, closer to his innumerous fans and aspiring motor-racing fans in the country. The event aims to provide an opportunity for go-karting enthusiasts to brush shoulders with their favourite sporting icon and test their mettle against the fastest Indian. ‘Can you Beat the Fastest Indian?’ will in turn help in promoting motor racing at the grass root level in India, and creating an identity for this increasing popular and most-watched sport in the country. 

The event

• The event is open to all go-kart enthusiasts who are over 16 years of age and hold a valid license

• Narain Karthikeyan, the fastest Indian, will set a qualifying time at the regional rounds to be held across four cities in Goa, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai. 

• The best three (maximum) drivers from every city who can beat or match this time will race it out at the finals.

• Even if no participant beats the time set, the best two participants will qualify. 

• The finals to be held in Mumbai on February 6, 2004, will consist of two races similar to any F-1 Grand Prix Event. The first race would be the qualifying heats based on the Best Elapsed Lap Time (BELT) and the second race would be the grand final race between the top eight contestants. 

• In the BELT, Narain Karthikeyan will once again set the lap time. Each of the eight finalists would individually get a chance to beat the time set by Narain. The driver who manages to beat the time set by Narain would be the outright winner and will walk away with the coveted prize for a ticket to the Malaysian Grand Prix.

• In an event, no one driver is able to beat the time set by Narain, they would then play for the second race against each other. 

• In the second race, the top two drivers would be declared winners. 

• The winner of the grand finals will be entitled for a ticket to the Malaysian Grand Prix (includes travel and stay) along with a trophy and Rs 15,000 gift hamper. The first runner up will receive a trophy plus Rs 7,500 gift hamper and the second runner up will walk away with a trophy and Rs 5, 000 gift hamper.

Conditions apply. The event is held as per official rules and regulations of the International Sporting Code of the FIA. For entry forms and complete rules and regulations, please log onto www.tataracing.com

Says Vishal Jhunjhunwala, senior brand manager, Tata Services, “Tata Racing has been at the forefront of motor sports in India and in fact, we have established a global presence with our association with two of the brightest talents Narain Karthikeyan and recently Karun Chandhok. The objective behind this latest initiative was very clearly to connect Narain with the masses, predominantly the youth. Motor racing as a sport has been gaining a lot of popularity in India and now has a dedicated fan base. We have had an extremely fruitful association with Narain supporting him in his endeavours in the Nissan World Series. He is a true sporting icon and thousands of motor-racing enthusiasts look up to him for guidance as he himself strives for the coveted berth in F-1. It is a fun-filled event and it will surely give the fans and thousands of motor-racing aspirants to learn a few tips directly from their sporting hero.”

Bharat Petroleum has played the pivotal role in promoting the concept of Karting in India. Bharat Petroleum has been fuelling the ambitions of the Speed Master Narain Karthikeyan in his endeavor to make the presence of India felt around the world through sports. S Ramesh, GM – retail strategy and brand, BPCL says, ““We have always positioned Speed on an al aspirational platform (the need for high performance). Even in a low involvement category, such as petrol, Speed has made an emotional connect with its target audience. Speed, Bharat Petroleum’s new generation fuel is ideally suited for the latest generation of cars. Through unconventional and innovative brand associations, such as organizing Karting events and the “Speed Run” (the quarter mile drag race) across the country, we have been able to tap into the passions of the prospect, in a manner, which is in congruence to the brand personality – stylish, exciting, contemporary, cool and at the same time, highly reliable”.

Red Bull has been passionately supportive of motor sports for over ten years now, and has set up the Red Bull Junior programme, where the company identifies, advises and promotes young talent through the different formula from Karting to the very pinnacle-Formula One.

In fact the Ford Motor Company recently announced the sale of Jaguar Racing to Red Bull, which means the Red Bull team will be competing in the 2005 FIA Formula One World Championship with Cosworth engines. Not only does the ownership of this team represent high point of Red Bull’s involvement in motor racing, it is also the logical and final step in the Red Bull Junior programme.

On the Indian front, Red Bull is associated with many racers and athletes, Narain Karthikeyan being one of them in the spotlight right now. 

Today Red Bull has a strong presence in over 120 countries with more than two billion cans of Red Bull consumed annually

“Can you Beat the Fastest Indian?” and watch Michael Schumacher and other F-1 drivers burn the track at Malaysian Grand Prix…. So come and participate in this one of its kind go-karting Challenge, be a part of this fun-filled extravaganza and get to meet and race with your favourite sporting icon Narain Karthikeyan. It is an opportunity of a lifetime So don’t miss it.