By Neena Bhandari, IANS
Eastern Creek (Sydney) : Team India finished a respectable 11th as speed king Narain Karthikeyan lived up to the challenge after rain caused havoc in the A1GP Feature race at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Sunday.
The track was new to India’s speed king and his race engineer Vinit Patel, commonly known to be particularly abrasive and ‘ruthless on the tyres’.
Karthikeyan said, “It was a rather challenging race with the unpredictable weather conditions, but it certainly made for an exciting driver’s race.
“Unfortunately, we were not able to pick up points this weekend. It is vital we get a good set-up for the car to improve our qualifying position and be able to move up the grid as we already know what we are then capable of achieving.
“I look forward to racing and picking up points for the next race in South Africa on Feb 24.”
A1 Team India had a tough 19th place starting position on the grid for the 42-lap Feature race, which left them open to the risk of potentially damaging midfield traffic.
The team took a strategic yet risky call when they attempted to go out on slicks (dry weather tyres) in the hope of improving weather conditions and the chance of picking up positions with improved pace.
But as all the teams went out on the formation lap, worsening weather conditions rendered the car ‘un-driveable’ and the strategy was recalled as A1 Team India went into the pit lane to change tyres almost immediately. As a result, Karthikeyan began his race from the pit lane.
A1 Team India improved its pace significantly as Karthikeyan familiarized himself with the track against the odds of changing weather and track conditions.
Earlier, Karthikeyan had conceded, “It is a track I have never raced on before. The track surface was particularly bumpy and wore the tyres out very quickly. However, the car is looking good and I am expecting a top 10 qualifying position on Sunday.”
In addition to the traditional motorsport fan base, A1GP attracted a new audience passionate about their country and heritage.
A large number of Indian fans, donning the official sporting blue T-shirts, turned up, proudly waving Indian flags to cheer Team India as the race delivered high-speed adrenaline fuelled action at every turn.
Indian High Commissioner to Australia Sujatha Singh and Consul General of India in Sydney Sujan Chinoy congratulated Karthikeyan for “performing so well and yet again, making the country proud.”
A few days ago on visiting the Sydney Wildlife World in Darling Harbour, Karthikeyan had said, “It is great to see so much local support and Indian fan following when we are so far away from home.”
Launched in March 2004, the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport pits driver against driver and country against country, bringing together 25 nations representing 80 percent of the world’s population to compete as equals, without financial or technological advantage.
The A1GP car’s overall length is 4,833 mm, with a long wheelbase of 3,000 mm. A wide track of 1,468 mm (rear) and 1,476 mm (front) gives excellent cornering stability. Weighing just 120 kg, the A1GP engine is one of the smallest and lightest 3.4 litre engines ever made, but also one of the most durable.
Located just 40 minutes from the centre of Sydney, Eastern Creek is the hub of motorsport in New South Wales, combining the world’s largest karting facility and Australia’s leading drag racing complex.
Eastern Creek International Raceway plays host to a number of Australian motorsport events, including annual rounds of the Australian V8 Supercar Championship and classic motorcycle racing.