PUNE, NOV 15: If one had to single out motorsports activity in the country, Pune is one city that has a long history. Not long ago, the city was a regular stop for several national events both rallying and motocross and did better with the birth of latter.It was here that racing buffs witnessed several international motocross events such as the Rodil Trophy and Pan-Pacific motocross meets, apart from the regular one-off event conducted by the Poona Automotive Racing Association (PARA) which governs the sport in the city.However, of late, regular activities by PARA have declined owing to drastic reduction of budgets by sponsors who cite the recession as the main reason. Along with high fuel costs, the sport in totality looks to have a slim future. What better example to illustrate this fact than the National motocross championship that has had no takers for the last five years. The event has simply faded into oblivion.PARA, with Shyam Kothari at the helm, have taken the brunt but has managed to keepits wheels going for four years while restricting the local racing calender to the minimum.As Kothari, who agreed to the down-slide of the sport both here and elsewhere in the country, explained: ``PARA is done with small races and now concentrates on big budget events.''This, he said, is because a majority of sponsors have not expressed satisfaction. ``Sponsors look at a wider audience and not events with restricted publicity,'' explained Kothari on why the once famed Sinhagad Hill Climb, trial riding and motocross events have been shelved.``Finding new sponsors is tough since our priorities are limited and the ones who are interested want more than what they got before,'' Kothari, now fully into administration after calling it quits in 1998, explained.``In other words, PARA is more quality than quantum oriented in keeping with changing times,'' he mused. Today, PARA organises a couple of rallies and the one-off motocross.When questioned on PARA's effort to encourage the sport, he said, ``We aretrying our best to minimise the burden on riders, like offering starting money and transportation costs which previously was not offered.''On the immediate future of PARA, Kothari said: ``We have a few events in the pipeline and await confirmation from the National body (Federation Motor Sports Council of India (FMSCI), which I guarantee is a big show-time event.""We also have plans to buy a couple of motocross bikes and give them to talented riders selected on the basis of trial runs.''National Motocross in JanuaryThe Poona Automotive Racing Association (PARA), in association with the Indian Motor Sports Association (IMSA), wil host to three-legs of the National Motocross Championship in January 2000.According to sources in the Federation, Motor Sport Council in India (FMSCI), plans are being made to revive the championship, dates of which have to be finalised. The six-leg championship will be held in six cities Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Jaipur, Nashik and Pune.PARA will organisethree events in the last three named cities. The dates and the chronology of hosting events is yet to be finalised as the National Rally Championship is in its final stages with a leg yet to be completed in Calcutta, sometime later this month.In order to allow manufacturers to prepare bikes, the dates would be released only after completing the championship. The motocross championship is being revived after five years.
