Euro JK and LGB 4 Series' Works Best In Current Form, Says Sanjay Sharma

The two single-seater Indian championships have been running for years supported by JK Tyre Motorsport. The Formula LGB 4 forms the bridge between karting and the junior formulae, while the Euro JK can be taken as the more traditional single-seater competition in the country.

Both the series though gives a young Indian driver a chance to learn the nuances of racing before embarking in the international arena. Several like Arjun Maini, Kush Maini, Akhil Rabindra, Krishnaraaj Mahadik, Mohammed Nalwalla, Ricky Donison, etc have been through the same rugs.

While it gives the opportunity, but at the same time, the cost involved in running both the series is not less either. The LGB runs as a team against team series even though it is a one-make car, while Euro JK runs solely on the one-make format all-through.

When asked JK Tyre Motorsport boss Sanjay Sharma, if he thinks running Euro JK in the similar format as LGB 4 and investing solely on that will work better, he feels the other way. “Formula LGB or a single-seater car totally produced in India is the backbone of national racing,” he said exclusively.

“Not only it is economical, but also is the most appropriate platform for anyone who wants to pursue their passion in the world of motor racing. Over and above luckily this series has various teams who fend for themselves and are very–very competitive when competing with the each other.

“This formula and format has worked wonders in the past and will continue to do so in times to come. It will not be wise to disturb the apple cart. [On the other hand] the FB02 necessarily is a single make car and is managed by immensely experienced and world class technicians.

“They are of immense help to the drivers who are learning the ropes of the beautiful machines. By introducing another format there may be some new rivalries which may crop-up to entertain audience but will not help the drivers and the programme of developing them to national standards.

“[More so] it will be a mammoth task to train our Indian technicians to manage these mean machines,” he explains. The Euro JK programme is run with the help of Italian outfit Euro International led by Antonio Ferrari – the team competes in the European Le Mans series currently.

In terms of JK Tyre’s motor racing activities, it supports the likes of Arjun and Kush in their championships respectively, while ex-Formula 1 driver Karun Chandhok and GT racers Aditya Patel and Armaan Ebrahim play a coach-cum-mentor role whenever called upon.

While the backing continues on individually, but for now there is no intention for them to get into racing globally in a similar pattern like they had run the JK Tyre Asia Series. “When going global, the stakes are very high,” he said.

“We also need to analyze if the programme will benefit either the testing or branding side of our involvement with motor sport. As of date we at JK Tyre have taken upon ourselves to invest on potential Indian talent to make their mark on the global motorsport footprint in whichever way possible. We do not have any intentions to get into the business of motorsport yet.”

On the Indian side, they will run the Euro JK series with Euro International for ‘at least one more year’ in the current format after analyzing the ‘ground reality’, even though they admit that it is the time to ‘upgrade in the next level of technology’.

No drivers have been confirmed so far for the 2018 season but like last year, seats are reserved for the winners of the LGB category (from previous season) and also female racers along with other handpicked budding drivers in the country.

Meanwhile, after moving away from karting last year, for now they are still contemplating the best way to return which will bring the desired results - Sharma reveals that they are on the ‘verge of finalizing’ their level of involvement, while lauding the efforts put in by Meco Motorsports.

In the meantime, they are continuing to expand their portfolio supporting two-wheel championships along with more TSD-type events and also off-roading and adventure-styled festivity programmes which also keeps their R&D in check.