JK Asia Series now has European venues too

The series, known as Formula BMW Pacific before being acquired by JK Tyres, will have its inaugural race in Malaysia at the Sepang International Circuit this weekend.

"We have dropped China and Indonesia as venues for this season and the races will be held in Spa-Francorchamps and Paul Ricard Circuit in Europe. We don't have resources to go there and race on our own. So we wanted to sensitise the teams there, whose drivers are sitting idle," Sanjay Sharma, Head MotorSport, JK Tyres and Industries Ltd, said.

"It's good to have more cars on the grid. The cost involved is huge so this was the route to Europe. Earlier this race was held two parts, Asia and Europe. The Asian part found promoters and the European did not," Sharma added.

"The race still remains the same but the subsidy has gone, so now it is with a price."

The owners of the race are also targeting organising a World Series, hence the expansion to Europe.

JK Tyres are also providing a racing opportunity to three Indians kids to showcase their skills in the inaugural race in Malaysia.

The kids -- Vishnu, Raj Bharat and Sandeep Kumar -- have been sponsored by JK Tyres for this race and continuation of their sponsorship would depend on how they fare in it.

The sponsorship means that JK would spend close to Rs four crore in getting them drafted into the UK-based team Atlanta Racing.

"We have created this opportunity since last year's Polo Race winner (Vishnu), who actually get a chance to race in Scirocco Cup, could not go due to costly budget.

"We wanted to give another Indian kid - Surya - a chance to race but since he has not completed 15 years, he could not get the license to race," Sharma said.