Chennai, Nov 16: Storm clouds appear to be gathering over the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India on the eve of its annual general body meeting and elections to be held on Wednesday. But any prediction on the outcome of the elections would be as reliable as the notorious weather forecasts in view of conflicting information available.Having come under the scrutiny of its parent body, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the FMSCI's AGM is expected to provide some fireworks. A couple of names are being mentioned for the coveted post of the president with liquor baron Vijay Mallya almost certain to retain his position as chairman.The FIA, following an ``investigation'' by its foreign affairs consultant Yvon Leon, had ordered a restructure of the FMSCI in consultation with Nazir Hoosein, the FIA vice-president. On the basis of such an assurance from Mallya, the FIA consented to allow FMSCI to retain the Sporting Power.These developments have not gone down well with some of the FMSCImembers who felt that Hoosein, despite wielding considerable influence with FIA, had done little for motor sport in India. As such, it was argued that there was no call to take Hoosein into confidence vis-a-vis the process of restructuring.The FMSCI had little choice but to agree to FIA's wishes and offered Hoosein the post of chairman of Rally Committee, apart from inviting him to Wednesday's AGM. Hoosein is said to have declined to attend the meeting since he would be away in Paris.A major fall-out of FIA's intervention was Mallya's decision to initiate several moves designed to make the FMSCI function with a greater degree of purpose.In the bargain, Mallya has trod on a few toes leading to some disquiet in the FMSCI ranks that is likely to surface at the AGM, according to sources.``The decisions at the AGM and elections could have far-reaching implications. There could be some changes at the top,'' said a long-serving FMSCI official on condition of anonymity.Of more significance is the factthat the FIA would review the situation at its meeting in April. If the FIA is dissatisfied, then the FMSCI could well lose its Sporting Power.As regards the post of the president, there is considerable speculation over the successor to Shramik Masturlal (Karnataka Motor Sports Club) who, after a three-year tenure, is expected to step down. The names of likely candidates are kept under wraps with none willing to even give out clues.Earlier, it was thought that vice-president C Sridhar of the Indian Automotive Sports Club, Bangalore, was the automatic choice, but in the light of the restructuring process, nothing is definite.
