Photography:
Mohd. Nasir / The debut T1 Prima Truck
Racing Championship saw Stuart Oliver winning the race after 45 minutes of speeding
on the tracks of the famous Formula One Buddh International Circuit in Greater
Noida near Delhi.
It
was very evident from the event that even truck racing can be an exciting
affair. Both fashion and glamour went hand in hand in India’s first truck
racing championship. Never before has India witnessed a race of this nature on
its turn, like the one that Tata Motors has initiated and is here to stay forever.
Over 25,000 spectators screamed their hearts out for the drivers pushing the Tata
Prima trucks. All the drivers belonged to foreign lands. The winning Team
Castrol Vecton was followed by Team Cummins and Team Tata Technologies Motor
Sports in the final Team points standings.
The T1 Prima Truck Racing Championship
comprised two races, a 5-lap Sprint Race and a 15-lap Main Race, with the
Champion Award granted to the winning driver on the basis of combined points
from both the races. The Team Championship was awarded on the basis of the
combined scores of the two drivers of the respective teams from both the races.
All the 12 Tata Prima trucks were Indian but
were heavily-modified beasts capable of putting out 370hp and reaching a top
speed of 110 km per hour driven by experienced international drivers.
Stuart
Oliver, T1 Prima Truck Racing Champion 2014 said “It was an amazing experience.
The track is beautiful and trucks were performing great. I am thrilled to have
won the first ever truck racing championship in India, among the enthusiastic
crowd who were cheering each time we drove past the grand stand. I see a lot of
potential of this sport here and would love to come back and race again.”
Commenting on the successful weekend, Ravi
Pisharody, Executive Director - Commercial Business Unit, Tata Motors said, “We
have had a tremendous day here for the truck racing with a really pumped-up
atmosphere and we have been delighted by the response received for the launch
of our debut truck racing event. Tata Prima trucks proved their racing prowess
and build quality in this high intensity race. We are extremely delighted with
the performance of T1 teams and drivers who have been supportive throughout the
event. We would like to congratulate the winning team, sponsors and all
participants for making this first of its kind, debut racing event, a historic
day.”
Besides
the winning drivers, there were top British truck racing drivers, including
Bran John Burt, Dave Jenkins, Paul McCumisky, James Horne, Simon Ashley Reid,
Richard Collett, Steven Powell, Steven Thomas and Graham Powell, showcased
their driving skills during the event.