By IANS,
Chennai: India won a seat on the elite World Motor Sport Council of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) at the general body meeting and elections in Paris Friday where former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt took over as the president.
While Frenchman Todt defeated Finland’s former world rally champion Ari Vatanen 135 votes to 49, India was elected as one of the members of the 26-strong council, the inner sanctorum of the FIA.
Vijay Mallya, chairman of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), will be the country’s representative.
Reacting to the development, FMSCI president Khushroo Madan, told IANS: “It is fantastic news for Indian motor sport. It would mean that India will see better and more international events in the near future. More importantly, India can expect a lot of backing for the proposed 2011 Formula One Grand Prix in Delhi.”
Madan said he was not surprised at India’s election to the WMSCI.
“Jean Todt (the new president) always had India on his list and that he won by a landslide margin definitely augurs well for motor sport in our country,” he said.