Doubt on India F1 in 2009

Jun 21, 2007

NDTV is reporting:

The Indian Olympic Association’s anouncement that it would bring Formula One to India by 2009 came out of the blue not just for racing fans, but also the two motorsports bodies of India, who are raising questions about the body’s ability to successfully pull off an event of such magnitude and significance.

That’s because no Olympic Association anywhere in the world has ever volunteered or managed to pull off such a thing before. But the question is, could the motorsports bodies have done any better themselves?

The declaration has prompted a protracted debate and uninvited cynicism. Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi’s announcement regarding an Indian Grand Prix in Delhi in 2009 was historic since never before has a National Olympic Association ever taken such an initiative in Formula One.

But the two Motorsports bodies, the MAI or Motorsports Association of India and the FMSCI or Federation of Motorsports Clubs of India, say the IOA’s lack of experience in organising motorsports events and lack of technical knowledge makes them apprehensive, especially since things have to start from scratch.