Jaypee in deal to host FIM Superbike WC

MUMBAI: Infront Motor Sports has signed an agreement with Jaypee Sports International, a subsidiary of the private Indian engineering and construction conglomerate Jaypee Group, to host a round of the FIM Superbike World Championship calendar at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC).

Infront Motor Sports, a subsidiary of Infront Sports & Media, is the owner of the Championship and provides full promotional, marketing, hospitality, sales and broadcasting services to the events. The series is governed by the FIM.

The contract, which runs for four years from 2013 to 2016, is set to open up a new frontier for World Superbike in India as it becomes the first international bike racing championship to be hosted at the Hermann Tilke-designed track at Greater Noida.

The Indian Round of the championship is scheduled to take place on 10 March next season.

Infront Motor Sports CEO Paolo Flammini added, "The inclusion of the Indian round in the 2013 FIM Superbike World Championship calendar represents a great achievement for our series and reflects our continuous target to further extend its international presence. India today is one of the most important motorcycle markets in the world, not only in terms of existing bike sales numbers but also growth and the upgrading of the range offered to the consumer. Undoubtedly the inclusion of this event will greatly benefit all the protagonists of our series and will create significant added value for the motorcycle manufacturers."

India will become the 27th country to host a round of the FIM Superbike World Championship, which in 2013 will celebrate the 26th year of its existence since it started in 1988.

After signing the agreement, JPSI MD and CEO Sameer Gaur said: "We are extremely happy to announce that besides holding the Formula One and FIA GT1 motor racing series, we will also hold a thrilling motorcycle race, the World Superbike Championship, at BIC early next year. There are many in India who are passionate about bikes. I am sure they will love to watch famed motorcycle riders compete against each other here at their own world class racing circuit."