David Jenkins, Rick Collett and Graham Powell finish FIRST, SECOND & THIRD in the PRO CLASS, Comprising of internationally acclaimed drivers
Creating Indian motorsports history, Jagat Singh and Nagarjuna A have won the maiden race T1 PRIMA TRUCK RACING Championship, organized for Indian truck drivers, in its third edition. Competing in the SUPER CLASS category comprising of some of the most experienced drivers, these drivers were selected through one of the most comprehensive training and selection programs, for Indian drivers, from Tata Motors fleet customers’ operations across the country.
Trained by some of the best race instructors in India, roped in by MOMA, over a period of three months, the T1 PRIMA race attracted of over 50,000 people, with the ‘Heroes of the Highways’ taking home the highest price money ever for an Indian motorsports event – Rs 10 lakhs being awarded to each of the first place winners, of the two SUPER CLASS category races.
Having finished fourth in the first 8-lap race of the two PRO CLASS races comprising of international drivers, David Jenkins of TEAM TATA TECHNOLOGIES took top honors in the final 20-lap race, with Rick Collett and Graham Powell both from TEAM TATA CUMMINS, taking second and third place respectively, in an action packed race.
Mat Summerfield of TEAM CASTROL VECTON, winner of the first 8-lap race, clocked the fastest lap of 1:50:691 seconds, in the second race, around the 3.1 kilometers race track.
The 12 Indian drivers selected for Season 3 of the T1 PRIMA TRUCK RACING CHAMPIONSHIP were –
| INDIAN DRIVERS |
| Nagarjuna A |
| Bacchu Singh |
| Rabinder Yadav |
| Bhag Chand |
| Rajkumar Mahato |
| Jitendra Singh |
| MD Parvez |
| Jagat Singh |
| Anand |
| Mohd. Iliyas |
| Malkeet Singh |
| Syed Akram Pasha |
While Season 3 witnessed Indian drivers competing in black PRIMA race trucks, which were identical to each other – in look and built, the 12 coloured trucks competing in the PRO CLASS of the T1 PRIMA TRUCK RACING CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON 3, represented six teams, who participated in the previous two seasons of the championship, with one new team – Tata Motors Finance. Following were the teams and their drivers –
| INTERNATIONAL DRIVER | ||
| Tata Technologies | David Jenkins | Brian Burt |
| Castrol | Matt Summerfield | Adam Bint |
| Cummins | Rick Collett | Graham Powell |
| Dealer Daredevils | Ray Coleman | Simon Cole |
| Dealer Warriors | Ben Horne | Paul McCumisky |
| Tata Motors Finance | Oly Janes | Tony Smith |
Tata Motors has also partnered with some of the country’s leading automotive brands, for Season 3 of the T1 PRIMA Truck Racing Championship. These are –
- WABCO – Official Braking Technology Partner
- JK Tyre – Official Tyre Partner
- Castrol – Official Lubricant Partner
- Cummins – Official Engine Technology Partner
- Tata Motors Finance – Official Commercial Vehicle Financing Partner
- Tata Technologies – Official Technology Partner
Alongside some edge of the seat action at T1 2016, Season 3 also hosted some of the country’s most prominent names from the music and entertainment scene. From the sensational Hip Hop heartthrob Badshah to the vivacious damsel of melody, Neeti Mohan, the scintillating Garima Yajnik, with her foot-tapping Indo-western numbers and last but not the least, the ruling diva of Bollywood music, with her memorable feast of melody and dance numbers, Sunidhi Chauhan, were few amongst the many other surprises that T1 season 3 had to offer.
About T1 PRIMA TRUCK RACING CHAMPIONSHIP
The T1 PRIMA TRUCK RACING CHAMPIONSHIP is organized by MMSC (Madras Motor Sports Club) and is inscribed on the calendars of FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) and FMSCI (the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India) with safety and performance standards being followed as per the guidelines of the BTRA (British Truck Racing Association), who also play in role in the selection of the best British and European Race Truck Drivers, that compete in the T1 Championship.
The FIA is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation of the world’s leading motoring organizations. One of the core responsibilities of the FIA is the development of motor sport worldwide. Through its national member clubs the FIA is involved in every level of motor sport and its remit extends to the millions of amateurs and professionals who enjoy motor sport in all of its variety. The FMSCI is a long-standing member of the FIA and is the only national motor sport federation recognized by the Government of India, for the promotion and control of motor sport in India, and is affiliated to the prestigious Indian Olympic Association.
THE T1 PRIMA 2016 RACE TRUCK
The Tata Prima 4038.S will compete in the T1 Prima Truck Racing Championship 2016, with the massive power of 370 BHP @ 2100 RPM and a top speed of just over 130 Km/h. To make these Prima trucks fit for racing, key modifications were made to meet a mix of safety and performance needs as per guidelines from the BTRA. These included significant changes in fuel tank, brake cooling system, propeller shaft guards, racing seats and safety belts, exhaust, steering wheel among others. The trucks have gone through multiple quality checks and tested at Tata Motors Jamshedpur’s world-class testing facility, for high speed run and control, with many key modifications made to meet a mix of safety and performance needs. For Season 3 of the T1 PRIMA Truck Racing Championship, Tata Motors has undertaken significant changes, for increased performance and safety. Following are some of the changes to the T1 2016 race truck –
- Reduced Centre of gravity by 100 mm, to improve dynamic stability at high speeds
- New lighter suspension system, to improve the ride and handling characteristics
- New improved shock absorbers, for stability during high speed corner turns
- Improved brake cooling system with jet nozzles
- New lightweight aluminium fuel tank & water tanks
- New tyres of 315/70 R 22.5 introduced in place of 315/80 R 22.5, from last season
- Front Flat wheel where mounting face offset is 127 in place of 175 from last season
About the TATA PRIMA Range
Being developed with Tata Motors subsidiary – Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicles (TDCV), Tata Motors conceived the award winning Tata PRIMA range, setting new benchmarks in the performance and design of a next-generation commercial vehicle, based on superior technology, optimum power, fuel efficiency and safety. Built with technical inputs from across the world, the Tata PRIMA range is based on an Italian cab design, engine technology from the US and Europe, gearbox expertise from Germany, chassis frame know-how from Mexico, sheet metal dies from Japan and Korea, combining Swedish precision on a robotic weld line, hence is also referred to as the ‘World truck’ by Tata Motors.
Equipped with strong aggregates and a robust chassis frame and suspension, the Tata PRIMA range meets
the highest operating standards under extreme conditions, thanks to outstanding material and build quality, comfort, driving dynamics, offering customers with of lowest cost of operations.
A multiple award-winning range of trucks from Tata Motors, the Tata PRIMA is today available in different trims, including multi-axle trucks, tractor-trailers and tippers, apt for several applications, thus meeting varied end-user requirements, with its power, sustainable speed, safety and reliability, best-in-class, aggregates, cabin features and comfort, was uncompromisingly designed for long-distance/ hours of transportation.
