JK Racing Asia goes to Europe
Having bought out the erstwhile Formula BMW Pacific series last year, JK Tyre is set to raise the bar further by hosting two events of the six-round 'Racing Asia Series' in Europe this season with Paul Ricard in France and Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium being the two new venues on the calendar.
The 16-race series is set to kick off this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia as a part of the Malaysian Super Series.
Unlike last year where the series ran as a support race to three Formula 1 events – Malaysia, Singapore and India – this year only two F1 supports will feature. But the calendar looks better overall, with the series running alongside the Blancpain Endurance at Paul Ricard and supporting the 24 hours of Spa race at the Belgian venue.
The back to back European outings will be followed by two consecutive F1 supports – in Singapore and India with the finale held alongside the inaugural Indian round of the FIA GT1 World Championship at the Buddh International Circuit.
Three Indian drivers – Vishnu Prasad, Raj Bharath and Sandeep Kumar, will participate in the opening round at Sepang, after being provided a significant subsidy by JK Tyre for the season opener with Prasad likely to contest the whole championship.
“We are pleased to provide an opportunity to three of our Indian drivers who have been champions on the domestic ground to participate in the season opener race in Malaysia”, said Sanjay Sharma, head of motorsport at JK Tyre.
“Putting Indian drivers on the international grid has always been part of our programme and this will test their mettle in the international arena”, he added.
2012 JK Racing Asia Series calendar
Malaysian Super Series
29 May-1 June
Blancpain Endurance Paul Ricard
24 hours of Spa
Singapore Grand Prix
Indian Grand Prix
30 Nov-2 Dec
FIA GT1 Championship
Issue: 165 | May 2013
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