Vicky Chandhok

Vicky Bharat Chandhok (born 7 April 1957) is an Indian racing driver and motorsport administrator. He served as the president of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) from 2003 to 2005, and from 2010[1] to 2013,[2]

Early life

Vicky Chandhok is born to Bharat Indu Chandhok, the second son of Lala Indersain Chandhok, who used to participate in Sholavaram races. His father was also one of the founders of FMSCI and Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC).[3] His grandfather, Lala Indersain Chandhok, was an avid enthusiast who sowed the seeds of motorsports in the family. In 1982,[4] Chandhok married Chitra, and they had two sons, Suhail Chandhok and Karun Chandhok, India's second F1 driver.

Career

Chandhok made his debut as a driver in a modified Ambassador at Sholavaram in 1972. He raced in the 1970s and 1980s[5] and also participated in the Indian National Rally Championship[6] for many years. He quit racing and rallying in 2000 after 28 years, having won over 350 awards.[7] After a five-year hiatus, he competed in the South India Rally again in 2000,[8] which he won in a Mitsubishi Lancer that had just made its debut in Indian rallying. Sandeep Lal was his co-driver, and Manoj Dalal, his long-time navigator, was the event's Clerk of the Course. He made a brief comeback in 2018, competing in the South India Rally 2018 at the age of 61.[9] He and co-driver Chandramouli finished third in the INRC1 category.[10][11]

Motorsports administrator

Vicky Chandhok helped bring the Indian Grand Prix Formula 1 race to India during his second term as president of the Indian federation.[12][13][14][15] As a representative of the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone, he also oversaw the construction of the F1 track at Buddh International Circuit.[16] He served as a consultant for Jaypee Sports International (JPSI), the company that built and owned the Formula One track in India. He currently serves on the FIA Truck Racing Commission and is a member of the FMSCI Council.[17] Additionally, he has won multiple Indian rallying titles.[18]

Motorsports coach

Chandhok established the Wallace Sports and Research Foundation (WSRF) in 1989 to train rally and race drivers. It was registered as a Partnership firm in 1991.[19] Akbar Ebrahim, who became the president of FMSCI,[20] was one of the first students at the Wallace Foundation. Under Wallace's direction, Ebrahim competed in his first race at the then brand-new Madras Motor Sports Track[21] which is now renamed as Madras International Circuit. WSRF has trained many motorsports athletes and conducted events over the years.

References

1. admin (21 December 2010). "Mr. Vicky Chandhok elected as the President and Mr. Shrikant Karani elected as the Vice President". MotoXindia. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
2. "Roll of Honour – FMSCI". Retrieved 30 January 2023.
3. "Karun Chandhok - Williams Heritage Driver". www.williamsf1.com. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
4. "Madras Musings - We care for Madras that is Chennai". madrasmusings.com. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
5. Takle, Abhishek. "Why did 70,000 fans flock to a town in Tamil Nadu to watch Indians motor-racing in the early 1970s?". Scroll.in. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
6. "2018 INRC: Vicky Chandhok to compete in Chennai Rally in a VW Polo R2". Overdrive. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
7. "Rallying genes come alive 18 years after retirement". www.sakaltimes.com. 24 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
8. D'souza, Rajesh (25 April 2018). "Vicky Chandhok to make a comeback to competitive rallying". Mad About Racing. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
9. Kudchadkar, Hari. "Vicky Chandhok – At the age of 61, a comeback into the world of rallying". Evo India. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
10. "INRC 2018: Vicky Chandhok Bags Podium at First Round in Volkswagen Polo R2". News18. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
11. Sportstar, Team (29 April 2018). "Gill, Vicky Chandhok finish on podium in INRC". Sportstar. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
12. "FMSCI's Vicky Chandhok opts out of reelection". MotownIndia.com. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
13. "Indian F1 Grand Prix on Sunday could be last, warns Vicky Chandhok". the Guardian. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
14. "Indian motorsport in doldrums: Ex-FMSCI boss Vicky Chandhok". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
15. "FMSCI nominates Akbar Ebrahim as its Deputy in Federation Internationale de L'Automobile". The Economic Times. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
16. Grover, Mayank. "Vicky Chandhok takes pride in FMSCI, Karun & Indian Formula 1 Track". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
17. Pande, Bhanu. "Indian motor-sports administrators Farhan Vohra, Vicky Chandhok and Sanjay Sharma pursue a passion in relative anonymity". The Economic Times. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
18. "Council & Sub Committee – FMSCI". Retrieved 31 January 2023.
19. Check, The Company. "Wallace Sports And Research Foundation | Chennai, Tamil Nadu". www.thecompanycheck.com. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
20. "Madras Musings - We care for Madras that is Chennai". madrasmusings.com. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
21. "Madras Motor Sports Club upgraded paddocks inaugurated". INDIA in F1. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2020.