- FMSCI refutes president J Prithviraj’s statement that racing could be called off this year
- September start being targeted
- Stakeholders waiting for the government to lift the ban on sporting events
Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) – which is responsible for the governance and promotion of motorsport in the country – has released a statement clarifying that it is committed to resume racing activity in India at the earliest. The clarification comes in the light of FMSCI President J Prithiviraj’s recent remarks that motorsport in India could be called off till January 2021 owing to the COVID-19 situation in the country.
#FMSCI would like to clarify that we, along with all stakeholders, are geared up to start the 2020 motorsports season at the earliest, possibly in September itself. We are only waiting for the government to ease the lockdown and to lift the ban on sporting events in the country.
— FMSCI (@fmsci) July 3, 2020However, Vicky Chandhok (MMSC vice-president and Asia-Pacific Rally Championship president) later confirmed on his social media that this wasn’t the official stance of the FMSCI. The governing body has now put up a tweet stating that it is committed to kick off the 2020 motorsport season in the country as early as possible and is targeting a September start. “FMSCI would like to clarify that we, along with all stakeholders, are geared up to start the 2020 motorsports season at the earliest, possibly in September itself. We are only waiting for the government to ease the lockdown and to lift the ban on sporting events in the country,” the statement read.
There’s already been movement in the right direction since some of the lockdown restrictions have been eased across India. In April, the FMSCI had announced a list of new measures to encourage the resumption of motorsport in India, and the Madras Motor Race Track (MMRT) and Buddh International Circuit already opened their doors for non-motorsport activity. From June 14 onwards, the MMRT has also been open for paid practice sessions for car and bike competitors, with strict safety protocols in place. Moreover, the MMRT will be receiving a host of updates, including self-contained marshal posts, digital flags and a new grandstand, as it gears up for racing activity to get underway once again.