TEAM INDIA JK TYRE WINS
2001 FORMULA ASIA CHAMPIONSHIP
- Karun Chandhok becomes Youngest Ever Formula Asia Champion
New
Delhi : On October 21, when 17 year old Karun Chandhok, driving for “Team
India JK Tyre” claimed the chequered flag after winning the final
round of 2001 International Formula Asia Championship at Zuhai, China…he
brought alive the brightest moment of glory for Indian motorsports…making
the whole world awe at promise this country holds as
Karun is
crowned as the youngest ever Formula Asia Champion. Continuing their
lead in another moment of triumph for their team, Karun Chandhok &
Asif Nazir drove stupendously at the 13 & 14 rounds of 2001 Formula
Asia Championship, wining one race each and
making Team India JK
Tyre the first-ever Indian motorsport team to bring to India an
international FIA Team Trophy.
Celebrating this historic milestone for Indian motorsports, Mr. Amit
Chaturvedi, President, JK Tyre said, “ I have no words to
express my happiness and pride as I stand here to congratulate these
young achievers…not just because they have shown the world what
India can achieve…but also have enabled us to reach more closer to
fulfillment of our vision at JK Tyre to take Indian motorsports to
global levels of glory & victory. This is just the beginning…as
this landmark victory will inspire lot more Narains & Karuns out
there on Indian streets to come forward and as we remain committed
more-than-ever to make India a formidable competitor at best of
international motorsport platforms.”
With Team India JK Tyre having already sealed the Constructors
Championship Trophy after Round 10 and Karun & Asif continually
maintaining their lead at the Championship at 1st & 2nd positions
respectively right since first round, the overall victory for the Team
was almost sealed with their stupendous performance throughout. However,
hotter than the action on the track was the close gap between two
teammates, Karun & Asif, both of whom displayed an amazing finesse
throughout the Championship and were almost equally debated hot
contenders for the final title.
After
the end of 12 rounds, Karun with 7 wins was leading with 20 points. The
climax reached its pinnacle, when Karun’s brakes failed during the
first race at the final round and concentrating on just finishing the
race, he finished 3rd while Asif claimed the winning post, thus bringing
down the points tally difference to just 13 points. However, driving
with a true winner’s zeal he claimed the chequered flag, winning
the second race as well as the Championship, with Asif closely following
at the second place.
With a total of 8 wins, breaking India’s
F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan’s Formula Asia record by one win,
Karun now reigns as world’s youngest Formula Asia Champion. He also
bagged the trophy for the “Most promising Asian Rookie”.
Accepting the Formula Asia Champions’ Trophy, Karun, who
incidentally also is still the youngest-ever & reigning JK Tyre
National Racing Champion, said, “I’m really proud to be
able to bring this honor to my country. It was obviously not easy to
achieve this success, but them me & my teammate Asif were determined
to give in better than our best to bring this trophy to India. Needless
to say, this victory is credited to the entire Team India JK Tyre and
especially Patrick, our Chief Engineer & Akbar, the Team Instructor.
I would like to thank all my sponsors and all the motorsport fans of
this country, who wished for us at every juncture & reposed their
faith in us throughout.”
Karun, who is being presently supported by Kingfisher, JK Tyre, ICSA
Logistics, TRAXX, UCAL & Parx will now debut at British F3 under the
umbrella of Carlin Motorsports, the reigning Champions.
Meanwhile, here’s raising another toast to celebrate India’s
growing supremacy at international motorsport arena. The Indian
motorsports have arrived…& its action ahoy!