<p>The facility, supposed to host more than 120,000 fans for the inaugural edition of the Indian Grand Prix, is more than 70 kilometers from the airport. To add to that, none of the taxi drivers or autos -- there are no other means of transport from Noida to Greater Noida at this point in time -- know of a ‘racing game’ about to happen. Can’t really blame them!<br /><br />Most people residing in the vicinity of the venue look a little lost when asked for directions to the track, most college students know of 'The Race' as some race that’s going to be held in ‘some place close by’. And to make matters worse, most hotels in Noida, half-an-hour from the venue, are ill-equiped to handle the sudden influx of people.<br /><br />Where else could they have conducted a race of such magnitude in India?<br /><br />South India, particularly the Madras Motor Sports Club and the Kari Speedway in Coimbatore, has quite a history with motor sports and have tracks which might please the Formula Rolons and even do justice to the Polos. But they don’t come remotely close to being Formula One worthy.<br /><br />Yes, a new track could have been built in either of these cities or even in Bangalore (talks were on a couple of years ago). <br /><br />Hyderabad might have also been a great option given the amount of land at their disposal minutes from the airport. May be Mumbai? Perhaps other states up north?<br /><br />On September 8, 2010, however, all other plans came to a halt after a meeting of the World Motor Sports Council in Paris, with Greater Noida getting the nod.<br /> <br />Why Greater Noida to spend $350 million on? For one, the place is developing rapidly and more importantly, the Formula One track is a small segment of what JPSI refers to as their dream.<br /><br />It might take a decade for that dream to materialise but when the Sports City, which will envelope the track in due time, is complete, it will be breathtaking and a true testament to JPSI’s stubborn will to get it done where it wants, when it wants. <br /><br />“We in JPSI believe in making things worthwhile. If we had put a track anywhere but where our office is, we would have to go to and fro and that might have upset our performance," said a source from JPSI.<br /><br />“The sector in which in the track is built is perfect. It is a growing locality and it has great access via the two expressways (Greater Noida-Noida expressway and the Yamuna expressway). <br /><br />“It’s all the outcome of a bigger dream. The dream is to build a fully sustainable Sports City and that is what we are chasing. Besides the Formula One track, which is centrally-placed because of its importance, we will have a cricket stadium, tennis courts, basketball courts, swimming pools etc and all of these will be international in stature," the source said.<br />The source also added that Greater Noida might have an airport, some 15kms from the track, which will work in favour as far as logistics go. <br /><br />Delhi, more so Noida, might not be ready yet for the action which awaits them in little over two weeks, but things are shaping up quite nicely in Greater Noida. <br /><br />Plus JPSI were the only ones really pushing to acquire the hosting rights for the inaugural edition, despite the government only offering menial support. As such, it makes absolute sense that they want to play it close to their heart, even if some other venues might have</p>
<p>The facility, supposed to host more than 120,000 fans for the inaugural edition of the Indian Grand Prix, is more than 70 kilometers from the airport. To add to that, none of the taxi drivers or autos -- there are no other means of transport from Noida to Greater Noida at this point in time -- know of a ‘racing game’ about to happen. Can’t really blame them!<br /><br />Most people residing in the vicinity of the venue look a little lost when asked for directions to the track, most college students know of 'The Race' as some race that’s going to be held in ‘some place close by’. And to make matters worse, most hotels in Noida, half-an-hour from the venue, are ill-equiped to handle the sudden influx of people.<br /><br />Where else could they have conducted a race of such magnitude in India?<br /><br />South India, particularly the Madras Motor Sports Club and the Kari Speedway in Coimbatore, has quite a history with motor sports and have tracks which might please the Formula Rolons and even do justice to the Polos. But they don’t come remotely close to being Formula One worthy.<br /><br />Yes, a new track could have been built in either of these cities or even in Bangalore (talks were on a couple of years ago). <br /><br />Hyderabad might have also been a great option given the amount of land at their disposal minutes from the airport. May be Mumbai? Perhaps other states up north?<br /><br />On September 8, 2010, however, all other plans came to a halt after a meeting of the World Motor Sports Council in Paris, with Greater Noida getting the nod.<br /> <br />Why Greater Noida to spend $350 million on? For one, the place is developing rapidly and more importantly, the Formula One track is a small segment of what JPSI refers to as their dream.<br /><br />It might take a decade for that dream to materialise but when the Sports City, which will envelope the track in due time, is complete, it will be breathtaking and a true testament to JPSI’s stubborn will to get it done where it wants, when it wants. <br /><br />“We in JPSI believe in making things worthwhile. If we had put a track anywhere but where our office is, we would have to go to and fro and that might have upset our performance," said a source from JPSI.<br /><br />“The sector in which in the track is built is perfect. It is a growing locality and it has great access via the two expressways (Greater Noida-Noida expressway and the Yamuna expressway). <br /><br />“It’s all the outcome of a bigger dream. The dream is to build a fully sustainable Sports City and that is what we are chasing. Besides the Formula One track, which is centrally-placed because of its importance, we will have a cricket stadium, tennis courts, basketball courts, swimming pools etc and all of these will be international in stature," the source said.<br />The source also added that Greater Noida might have an airport, some 15kms from the track, which will work in favour as far as logistics go. <br /><br />Delhi, more so Noida, might not be ready yet for the action which awaits them in little over two weeks, but things are shaping up quite nicely in Greater Noida. <br /><br />Plus JPSI were the only ones really pushing to acquire the hosting rights for the inaugural edition, despite the government only offering menial support. As such, it makes absolute sense that they want to play it close to their heart, even if some other venues might have</p>
