NK leads star line-up

Indian speed king Narain Karthikeyan will lead a star-studded line-up at the Asian Le Mans Series in February, to be held in Abu Dhabi. This is keeping an eye on competing in the 24 Hours Le Mans Endurance in France to be held later in  2021. The other drivers who will be competing the line-up alongwith Narain include Arjun Maini and NRI Naveen Rao.

The Asian Le Mans Series will be held at the well-known Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on February 5-6 and February 19-20. It comprises four endurance races spread over the two weekends. Each race will last four hours, testing the skills of every driver. The Indian team will drive an ORECA 07 car in the LMP2 class, and have technical support from the Championship-winning Algarve Pro Racing Team.

India’s first Formula One driver and Padmashri  Narain was delighted at getting another shot at Le Mans. “I have been dreaming of going back to Le Mans for a few years now. This is probably the most exciting project in my career as a racing driver,” Narain said. “We have a young and fledgling team and it will no doubt be a big test for us, but I am confident of doing well,” he said. Narain has raced in  every possible category around the world and was a super hit in Japan as well, his career spanning over 25 years..

Gautam Singhania, who is a member of the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) World Motor Sport Council and is also an accomplished racing driver himself, will lead Racing Team India.

Bangalore-based Arjun Maini’s experience in endurance racing will come in handy for the team, having driven for Algarve Pro Racing Team in the 2020 European Le Mans Series (ELMS).  “I am glad to be back to racing so soon after the 2020 European Le Mans season, and I do believe that Algarve Pro Racing Team, the defending Asian Le Mans Series champions, gives us the best possible chance of securing an entry to the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said Maini

Naveen Rao, who is the reigning 2020 IMSA Prototype Challenge champion, looks forward to driving as part of Racing Team India. “I’m super excited to be partnering with Narain and Arjun to bring the first-ever Racing Team India to Le Mans!  Le Mans has a magical quality and is the dream of many kids to be a part of,” said Rao.

Cyrille Taesch Wahlen, CEO of the Asian Le Mans Series, welcomed Racing Team India into its fold. “Having an Indian flagged LMP2 team is not only a first for the Asian Le Mans Series, but it is also a first for ACO racing around the world.  We have a growing supporter base in India, and now they have a team to support! I wish the team all the best and look forward to seeing them in Abu Dhabi,”

Racing Team India will have JK Tyre, as one of its inaugural partners. JK Tyre has been and continues to be the largest supporter of Indian motorsport for over 50 years. They have been instrumental in developing and supporting both Narain and Arjun over the past two decades. JK’s racing programme and performance in the domestic rally  circuit is also well chronicled.