Jyvaskyla (Finland):
Efforts to bring the prestigious World Rally Championship in India will have whole-hearted support from Volkswagen Motorsport, team boss Jost Capito said here today.Capito, who is set to take over as Formula One McLaren team CEO soon, said India is a fast developing economy and itis only good for the sport to be there.
"India is one of the upcoming and emergent markets and it's really valid to have rallies in important markets and emergent markets.So we would be very supportive of having a rally in India. That's for sure,"Capito told reporters on the sidelines of the Finland round of the WRC here.
Asked if they will go an extra yard to make this happen,Capito's reply was "Absolutely"."We work with Volkswagen India, we support them in development of cars.They have a rally program. We are in regular contact with VW Motorsport India to support them and also to get program approved," he said.
FIA President Jean Todt had showed willingness to have a WRC round in India when he said that India has the potential to host an international rally."It is sad that there is not a World Rally Championship round in India. It is a very big country. And contrary to road safety,it is good to have bad roads for rallying. India hasthe potential to host an international rally,"Todt had said last year.
Motorsport's popularity in India shot up when the country hosted Formula One races in 2011, 2012 and 2013 but it did not return due to taxation issues even though the promoters, JPSI had a five-year contract with the FOM.When prodded about chances of supporting India's premier rally drivers such as Gaurav Gill, Capito expressedhelplessness."It is difficult for us because we only have the WRC programme. The drivers have to come through (on their own).We are in contact with VW India.They see and give us information what the drivers are, so as soon as somebody come through, ofcourse will get the chance," he said.
