Bharath to participate in JK Racing's Formula Asia

In an attempt to solidify their growing stature, the tyre company and it’s racing wing have taken on the task of being the main title sponsors for the Formula Asia Pacific racing championships. The championship, at this point in time, has 22 drivers on its to-take-part list which also includes 16-year-old karting sensation, Bangalore’s own Raj Bharath.

The championship will comprise of six rounds --18 races in total -- and will be held in Malaysia (April 8-10 and May 27-29), Indonesia (July 22-24), China (August 12-14), Singapore (23-25) and India (28-3). Three of these races -- Malaysia, Singapore and India -- will also act as support races for the 2011 Formula One season.

The cars which are going to be used during the course of the championship will be powered by 1,171 cc BMW bike engines (output ranging between 140bhp or break horse power and 150 bhp at 9,000 rpm with a top speed of 230 kmph) and will hold the driver and the engine in its monocoque chassis built by French manufacturer Mygale.

“This is a great opportunity,” said Raj, who has just passed out of the Baldwin Boys’ High School. “It will take time to get used to driving in single seaters right after karting. The team is not putting any pressure on me to perform in the first year, but the second year onwards I will have to step it up and find myself on the podium.”

The championship, started in 2001, has been instrumental in shaping the careers of Narain Karthikeyan, who is driving for Hispania Racing Technology this season, Team Lotus reserve driver Karun Chandhok (both in Formula One) and Formula Two driver Armaan Ebrahim to name a few.