Renault Roadshow in Delhi

With an amazing season coming to an end, the F1 circus, Renault in particular, took a detour to India before heading home.

The road show of the F1 team, sponsored by ING Vysya, will have a spectacular display of the 2007 Renault F1 cars driving down the Rajpath. The show will comprise stunts by professional drivers on Renault Megane Trophy cars, the Toon cars and the display of their Logan cars.

Delhi GP delayed by a year

Meanwhile, Delhi’s GP has been delayed by a year [Tip F1 Fan]. There is no official word on why the GP has been delayed by a year, up until the announcement, Mallya was convinced that the 2010 time line was realistic. The other problem with the GP also seems to be internal politics. With the Indian Olympics Committee originally set to handle the entire event, another private firm seems to have taken the lead role, while news still trickles out of IOC.

India’s date with Formula One racing is delayed by another year, to 2011, Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi said on Thursday but refused to give any reason for it.

Management Changes at Force India F1

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It’s not everyday that an Indian driver breaks into the world scene. Even if he does, you know little or nothing about him, but Naren seems to have made a few good friends over the years.

Anand Philar, a reporter for Sify, recalls his various meetings with Naren and how the ‘Lanky kid’ got his drive with Subaru, If you are a Desi Motor sports fan, this should be a very interesting read.

For all his talent and achievements, Naren never got his dues. During his decade-long association with MRF where he was the lead driver, Naren did enjoy several highs, like making his international debut and winning the Asian Zone championship in 2001. A year later, when MRF decided to participate in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), Naren drove three rounds before the team dumped him for European drivers. MRF?s argument was that having invested an enormous sum of money, they needed results and quickly.

Naren Kumar in the NZ round of the Asia Pacific WRC championship. Image from Mark Heyes

With a robust economy, India is doing more than just buying F1 teams. Right on the heels of Vijay Mallya, The Spice Telecom group is trying to get a piece of Super Aguri and put Narain back in an F1 seat, in the shadows, Naren Kumar is all set to make his debut in the World Rally Championships.

For the noobs, you can find more information about the WRC over at the wiki page. Naren will be driving in the PWRC (Production WRC) championship, this after he tested with Subaru World Rally Team earlier last year.

The other special factor is that this creates an Indian team, Team Sidvin India, the technical support will be provided Tommi Makinen’s Racity Oy Limited. For the uninitiated, it was Makinen, who helped the Evo gain it’s cult status.

Naren will be competing at the Acropolis round in a Subaru (I know right) and we will keep you updated as more information trickles in.