JK Tyre goes desi with Fomula BMW India

JK Tyre Thursday announced that they have tied up with popular racing team EuroInternational for the 2013 Formula BMW India series after two seasons of going international.

The tyre manufacturer acquired the rights of Formula BMW Asia Pacific in 2011 and took the championship to Europe in the subsequent edition having a mix of Indian and foreign drivers.

But according to its motorsport head Sanjay Sharma, the series did not help the Indian drivers in shaping their career. The new Formula BMW India will have an all-domestic line-up and the single-make series will have cars built by EuroInternational, a team which has been part of European Formula 3 and Indycar in the United States.

The machines will be powered by 1.2 litre BMW engine with Mygale providing the chassis. Sharma, however, said that they don't require FIA's (international motorsports body) affiliation for the series.

"The 10 Indians will get to drive free of cost and the championship will get to test an F3 car with EuroInternational. Our aim is to find the next big Indian star after Narain (Karthikeyan) and Karun (Chandhok)," Sharma said while also announcing the launch of Polo R Cup and Formula LGB 4, all part of JK Tyre Racing Championships beginning in Coimbatore July 19.

Most of the drivers are under-20 having familiar names like Arjun Maini, Akhil Khushlani and Vishnu Prasad.

The series will have five rounds. Madra Motor Race Track in Chennai will host the second leg Aug 9-11 while round four (Sep 27-29) and five (Nov 29-Dec 1) will take place at the Buddh International Circuit.

The third round will be on a street circuit and that could be created in Srinagar, Pune or Goa.

"We are very keen on Srinagar. The Jammu and Kashmir government has shown tremendous interest in hosting the race but it is going to be tough. Security is the biggest concern during a street race but there are other hurdles too," Sharma added.

JK Tyre was long associated with the National Championships until Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC) decided to go ahead on their own.