Vento Cup 2016 to be part of Indian National Racing

Breaking away from the JK Tyre Racing Championship, Volkswagen Motorsport India on Tuesday announced a shift to the MMSC-FMSCI Indian National Racing Championship for the next three seasons of their Vento Cup, starting 2016.

As part of this new association, MRF, and not JK Tyres, will be the new tyre partner for 2016 of this one-make series.

The series will run on the same lines as the previous season with a total of 10 races across four rounds that will be hosted at the three racing circuits in India. In addition to Kari Motor Speedway, Coimbatore, and Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida, where the series was conducting races in the previous season, Vento Cup will return to Madras Motor Race Track (MMRT), Chennai, as well after a break of three years.

Twenty drivers will be seen competing against each other over the season for the title honours across junior and professional categories.

The new set of drivers for 2016 will be selected through a new and widespread programme of go-karting. For the first time, the drivers' selection will be conducted across seven cities and will commence on January 20.

"After successfully running our premium one-make series for six years, we are ready to explore new possibilities. MMSC and MRF have a long legacy with motorsport and we are keen to work closely with them and contribute towards strengthening the sport further in India," Volkswagen Motorsport India head Sirish Vissa said.