India offered place on 2009 calendar
By N.Ananthanarayanan
India has been made a conditional offer to stage a Formula
One Grand Prix in 2009, Indian Olympic Association president
Suresh Kalmadi said on Thursday.
"We have received a letter in this regard from Bernie Ecclestone,
CEO of Formula One. The IOA will be the promoter and the first
event will be held in 2009," he told a news conference.
"Once we move ahead (put all aspects in place), a regular contract
would be signed," Kalmadi said, adding the IOA would raise
necessary financing through government or private funds.
"We are planning to hold the race around New Delhi and we are
looking to identify suitable land for a track."
However, a letter from Ecclestone to Kalmadi dated June 1, 2007,
a copy of which was given to the media later, listed tough
conditions including various commercial agreements that needed
to be signed before the race becomes a reality.
"The formalities for proceeding with this project, including the
entering into the contracts referred to in above and the delivery
to FOA (Formula One Administration) of a suitable standby letter
of credit are to be concluded no later than Sept. 20, 2007," it said.
Kalmadi was confident the IOA would meet all requirements although
it is already running behind schedule with work related to
staging the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
"This letter is like an MOU," he said. "I can't say it is fully
really going to happen before we sign the contract. (But) we're
going to try.
"Basically we are going ahead with this to earn revenue for
Olympic sports," he said. "We are a large team and we will
have a lot of professionals as well."
India has been in the frame for a race as Formula One bosses
look to tap into its booming economy with Delhi and the southern
Hyderabad city mentioned as possible venues in the past.
Plans to hold a race in Hyderabad fizzled out after the
local government that backed the move was voted out of power.
Narain Karthikeyan became India's first Formula One driver
when he was signed up for the former Jordan team in 2005.
He is currently a tester with Williams.
HOPE TO SEE FERRARI's VERY SOON
njoy!!
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