Tata is all set for the third season of its T1 Prima Truck racing championship. The one-make truck-race will be held on March 20, 2016, at the Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida.
The 2016 season will see six teams participate, namely, Castrol Vecton, Cummins, Dealer Daredevils, Dealer Warriors, Tata Technologies Motorsports and Tata Motors Finance. The highlight of this year’s race is the inclusion of Indian drivers on the grid, who were brought in via the T1 Racer Program.
The Indian racers were chosen from among truck drivers from all over the country. 147 candidates were selected at the start of the program, of whom 12 will be shortlisted for the final on March 20. However, in the future, Tata plans to have professional Indian racers competing in the championship.
There will be two categories of races – Super Class, comprising the 12 Indian racers, and Pro Class, comprising 12 international drivers. Both classes will feature the same competition vehicle – the Prima 4038.S.
For this season, the 370bhp T1 Prima competition truck has been heavily modified for improved handling and enhanced safety. Weight has been reduced by as much as 500kg, and the trucks also feature lower-profile tyres to lower the centre of gravity. Besides the modifications on the truck, the number of laps per race has been increased from 16 to 20.
Like the last two seasons, the championship will be a single weekend event.
The racing championship is organised by the Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC) under the aegis of the FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) and the FMSCI (Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India).
Unnatee Gidithuri
Stephen Raj Antony
Saptarshi Mondal
