JOIN USToyota took what seems like their second step in the direction of creating a full-fledged racing championship in India when they unveiled the Etios Motor Racing Trophy on Tuesday.
The car-manufacturing giants have been a big name in the world of racing but were still to make their foray in India. That was until they spelled out their plans to conduct an open camp to pick out drivers last season.
While initial plans were to groom drivers for bigger championships, Toyota took it up a notch up this season by creating a two-round, single-make championship which will be run alongside the National Racing Championship.
The two rounds -- which comprise two races per round -- will be held in Chennai at the Irrungattukotai track and in Greater Noida at the Buddh International Circuit.
At the end of the camp, 25 drivers were chosen by an elite panel of members. The chosen few, who came through a stringent selection process, will be given a chance to compete in this championship.
The championship will be run in an Etios sedan which will not stray too far from the stock version, barring roll cages and minor modifications to the suspension.
Top three drivers at the end of the championship will get an opportunity to drive in Thailand as part of Toyota’s international exposure programme.
"Our idea (of the championship) is to promote teen race drivers," said N Raja, senior VP (sales and marketing division). "We wanted to learn and gain experience for drivers and then taking things to higher levels in the future. We will slowly grow every year and it will help our brand also. We want to connect to the youth for now."