Helping Hand For Indian Motorsport From Its Governing Body

Indian motorsport’s governing body, the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), has announced a list of initiatives designed to encourage domestic events in 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic led to a nationwide lockdown from March 25. 

With a focus on encouraging grassroots events and not only national championships for the remainder of the domestic motorsport season, the following initiatives were announced in a press release from the FMSCI. 

• Free renewal of national level competition licenses applied for in 2020 for the year 2021, if these license holders do not take part in any events in 2020. 
• 100% waiver of the permit fee for organisers of all status of events, if no sponsor/s associated with the event. 50% of permit fees will be charged otherwise. 
• 100% waiver of the naming rights fees for events if no sponsor/s associated with the event. 50% naming rights fees will be charged otherwise. 
• One year extension for the existing promoters of various national championships irrespective of whether the national championship is conducted in 2020 or not. 
• Local stewards will be appointed to ease the burden of travel and hospitality costs for the organizers. 

Zigwheels had earlier reported that the resumption of national level racing and rallying events were being targeted for August-September. 

India currently has recorded over 1 lakh cases of COVID-19 and over 3,000 deaths - as per data on worldometers.info. However, it has also recorded almost 40,000 cases of COVID-19 in which the patients recovered. The peak number of cases is still expected to come in June or July as per prediction models that were made in March before the lockdown was imposed. 

The resumption of such events is dependent on when the lockdown for sporting activities is lifted. The FMSCI press release stated that the governing body sought clarity on whether sporting events can be held without spectators. The latest government guidelines stated that sports complexes and stadiums can be opened but without any crowd or spectators.