Season 2 of Tata Motors-run prima truck racing in March

MUMBAI: For the second straight year, the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida would see Tata Motors-built trucks racing for honours in the T1 Prima Truck Racing Championship on March 14 and 15 with international drivers at the wheels.

Announcing season 2 of the six-team truck racing championship, Ravi Pisharody, Executive Director, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit of Tata Motors, said the success of the inaugural event held in March last year has persuaded the company to hold it annually.

"The first season was a great success and it's definitely going to be an annual event in February-March every year and will be conducted by Tata Motors," said Pisharody at a media launch of the event here today.

"Truck racing in India is new though it has been in existence overseas for a number of years. This year the Tata Prime race trucks will show increased speed (upto 130 kmph), acceleration and new aerodynamics," said Pisharody.

"We had to start with international drivers who are used to it," said Pisharody.

The company has started the T1 driver programme for Indian drivers which is designed to provide an opportunity for potential drivers to make it into truck racing.

The six teams to race with two trucks each are: Team Castrol Vectron, Team Cummins, Team Tata Technology Motorsports, Team Dealer Warriors, Team Dealers Daredevils and Team Allied Partners.

The championship is being organised by the Madras Motor Sports Club under the aegis of international motor racing body FIA and national body FMSCI.

The first day of the event will involve a ten-lap sprint, as compared to last year's five, while the final on March 15 would be held over 15 laps with each lap 3.1-km in length.

Pisharody said that at present the championship is restricted only to Tata Motors-designed trucks.

"I can't indicate the time-frame, but at some point of time it may include other brands too," he said.