The presence of Karun Chandhok in the World Endurance Championship, driving the Honda prototype of the British team JRM, could predict a bright future for both Indian endurance racing, and motor sport in general. Many factors seem to suggest this...

The presence of Peugeot and Audi in China, during the closing races of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 2010 and 2011 at Zhuhai, a testament to the interest of the endurance racing competitors for the largest car market in the world. But the  outlook in India is just as attractive. So a few days before winning the 6 Hours of Zhuhai, early in November 2011 Peugeot opened the site of its first factory in India in the presence of Vincent Rambaud, Director General of Peugeot Automobiles. Operational in 2014, it will be located in Sanand, north-west, on a 240 hectares site. Already established since March 2007, Audi has far exceeded its sales forecast for the Indian market in 2011, with 5117 cars sold from January to November, 2791 against the same period in 2010: an impressive increase of 83%

It is therefore not unreasonable to suggest that India will become the short to medium term a new automobile 'promised land', which seems to be confirmed the success of the first Formula 1 Grand Prix on the Buddh International Circuit in Delhi October 30, 2011 . The first driver to take the circuit is also one of the headliners of endurance racing: the Swiss Neel Jani, teammate of Nicolas Prost in Rebellion Racing, born of an Indian father and Swiss mother. Yet another circuit project should break ground soon on the outskirts of Bombay. In this context, Karun Chandhok, Indian pioneer in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2012, promises to be an ambassador for his countrymen. And he can already count on the experience of his Australian teammate David Brabham, winner of the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans with Peugeot. Not to mention the support of the current President of the Federation of Indian Motor Sports ... his own father, Vicky Chandhok! Does this predict a bright prospect for endurance in India? Time will tell, but early signs are encouraging...
 

Click HERE for the provisional calendar for the 2012 WEC.
Les 80e 24 Heures du Mans auront lieu les 16 et 17 juin 2012. Click HERE for the list of pre-selected competitors, and HERE for tickets.

Jean-Philippe Doret

Photo : The Honda of Karun Chandhok, that he shares with David Brabham and Scot Peter Dumbreck, will no doubt be closely followed in India during the 2012 season of racing.