Testing Tracks

Till the electronics really took over in the auto- mobile industry, the real testing ground for cars and bikes manufacturers along with their mul- tiple ancillary units like tyres, lubricants, fuel pumps transmissions, engine manufacturing units and many more were the racing tracks. With the advent of various testing facilities within the manufacturing facilities focus on the actual Motor Sport has now become a second priority only for the media attention and publicity it gathers. In the good old days tough Motor like the African safari, Paris Dakar, the RAC Rally in UK and such other events in the World, were being participated and supported by big car manufacturers like Audi, Toyota, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Jaguar etc. They were known as Factory Entries. Some of these events were so tough for the automobiles and the humans who dared to drive them that they actually required a factory support. Ele one had to be a millionaire tobe able to afford aircrafs and choppers to support your race plus dozens of suspensions, brakes, transmissions, multiple service teams and other supporting units of the car to actually finish a gruesome event that lasted sometimes a week plus of almost nonstop driving In India the lead was taken only by two tyre companies the JK Tyre and the MRF some three decades plus back and were supported by some ancillary parts manufacturers who joined them in the circus Today in India, while they are the major contributors to the motorsports, some cars and bikes manufacturers run their own events, primarily to promote their own brand and create a buzz amongst the motoring fraternity by giving support to upcoming and talented speedsters who will race in International arena like the F-1 and the likes in future. arena like the F-1 and the likes in future. The interest in Motorsports is now limited only to a few automobile companies here in India. These com panies, however blow their own trumpet as nobody wants to face direct competition due to the fear of getting negative publicity Most motoring competitions are now being done as standalone events where some publicity. Most motoring are now being done as standalone events some of them try to sell the idea to the people that they are promoting talent to further participate in the interna- tional arena. They may have big budgets but narrow goals as the real excitement is now missing witness the competition of monsters on the same platform and the winner `Is'!