Chennai race official gets Formula 1 appointment

Chennai: Farhan Vohra from Chennai has been nominated Observer Steward for the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix September 27. The 34-year-old Vohra is the Race Director for the ongoing JK Tyre National Road Racing Championship (JKNRRC) and also the Rotax Max Karting series. Speaking to reporters on Saturday on the sidelines of the fifth round of the JK NRRC, Vohra said: “My role at the Singapore GP will be to observe the working of the race atewards. I may get a few more similar appointments before being considered for the role of a full steward.”He said it was a dream come true for him. “I never imagined that I will get to Formula 1 given the level of motor sport in India. It will be a privilege to sit among people with such vast experience and of course, Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motor sport. So, I am extremely delighted and looking forward to the assignment.” Vohra, if elevated to full steward, will be only the second Indian to achieve the status after Nazir Hoosein of the Himalayan Rally fame and the president of the now-defunct Motor Sports Association of India that until last year was the governing body for motor sport in India. Vohra, who earlier this passed the exams for FIA licence for Sporting Steward and CoC (Clerk of the Course), said he received a communication on his Singapore appointment from John Lowe of the FIA technical committee. “I am grateful to Vicky Chandhok (chairman, international racing commission of Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India) for enabling this appointment and of course the Madras Motor Sports Club of which I am a managing committee member,” said Vohra. Vohra has come through the ranks, first as a competitor and then track marshall before progressing to more responsible role such as his current appointment as the Race Director. Incidentally, in 2006, driving a Scorpio, he won the Raid de Himalaya in the Reliability class with least penalty points. IANS