About JPSI and the BIC racetrack





Buddh International Circuit




The 5.14km long Buddh International Circuit (BIC) has been designed by world-renowned German architect and racetrack designer, Herman Tilke, who has also designed other world- class race circuits in Malaysia, Bahrain, China, Turkey, Indonesia, the UAE, South Africa, South Korea and the US.

BIC has been designed as one of the fastest, most exciting motor racing circuits in the world, is well suited to the requirements of powerful, high-spec racing cars and motorcycles and will host some of the most challenging motorsports events on the planet. The track’s combination of 16 corners, high-speed straights and dramatic changes in elevation has been designed to provide ample opportunities for overtaking, which is what makes motor racing exciting. At the same time, in terms of adherence to safety norms and regulations, run-off areas, medical facilities, facilities for the media and overall infrastructure, BIC will be among the best in the world.

BIC: Philosophy behind the name and the logo

The name ‘Buddh International Circuit’ has been chosen with reference to the area where the racetrack is situated – Gautam Budh Nagar district (near Greater Noida). Because of its location, naming the circuit ‘Buddh International Circuit’ was a logical choice for the company.

The BIC logo is a stylized ‘B,’ the letter that stands for ‘Buddh’ and for ‘Bharat.’ The orange, green and white colours used in the logo are representative of the Indian flag, while the curves in the stylized ‘B’ in the logo represent the lines of a racetrack.

Buddh International Circuit: fact sheet

Length: 5.14km
Turns: 16
Highest point of elevation: 14m
Width of the track: Between 18m – 20m
Top speeds on the circuit: About 320km/h, for an F1 car
Total seating capacity: About 120,000
Approximate cost of building the track: US$400 million
Distance from New Delhi: 40km approx.
FIA homologation scheduled in: end of July / mid-August 2011
Inaugural F1 race: 30th October 2011

About Jaypee Sports International Limited (JPSI)

Established in October 2007, Jaypee Sports International Ltd., a subsidiary of Jaiprakash Associates Ltd. (JAL), is well on its way to completing the construction of India’s premier motorsports destination – Buddh International Circuit (BIC) – which will host India’s first ever Grand Prix in October 2011. In addition to F1, the track is also expected to host other top-level international motorsports events from 2012 onwards.

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F1 merchandise hits the Capital

As the countdown begins for the Indian Grand Prix, which kicks off at Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida on October 28, F1 fever has gripped the Capital big time. Retailers, restaurateurs and designers, everyone is gearing up to cash in on the new formula of fun. Online retailers inkfuit.com are launching a range of F1 tees in a few days. “This is a new dawn for Indian sports as the celebrated F1 makes a foray in India. We’ve been getting a lot of requests for tees from fans and decided to make two-three t-shirts on the theme,” says Kashyap Dalal, CEO, inkfruit.com.

“We are coming up with special stickers that say ‘What the F1?’ — it’s our comic take on this grand sporting event,” says Rahul Anand of kitsch retailers, Happily Unmarried. Party Hunterz has introduced checkered flags (Rs. 100) and balloons (R25) for fans to carry to the race tracks.

“We also have a range of F1 party gear such as F1 mugs and tablecloth,” adds Aditya Kapoor, CEO, Party Hunterz. Allied The Party Shop has been receiving orders for customised mugs, photo frames and wall clocks. “F1 toy cars are our biggest sellers right now,” says Lakshay Mehra, of the shop.

Mercedes-Benz India, automobile partners of the event, also has range of jerseys, caps and jackets available on their website. “The merchandise is a big hit internationally and we expect the sales to rise a lot in India,” says Debashis Mitra, director, sales and marketing, Mercedes-Benz India.

Adding glamour to the fun is Delhi-based designer Mandira Wirk, who will be designing clothes for the F1 cheerleaders, aka Grid Girls. “The designs will have hints of the colours of the national flag and a lot of zipper details,” Wirk said in a recent interview.

Drinking merry to the F1 theme
Get into racing mode at two F1 themed pubs in town — Chicane in Noida and Pebble Street in New Friends Colony.
Chicane will be adding images of the Noida circuit to its decor and Pebble Street will screen the races live.

Let the game begin
The Buddh International Circuit has a digital avatar in the game 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship, which will be launched on September 23 by Zapak. “Last year our F1 game sold above 20,000 units. We expect even more business this year,” says Rohit Sharma, CEO, Reliance Entertainment (digital business).

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Mercedes-Benz along with Jaypee group to set up a driving academy




While there is a great buzz about the Formula 1 race taking place in India for the first time, the racing arena is woefully short of Indian drivers. Now as if to erase that past, the German luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz along with Indian Formula One Grand Prix organisers, Jaypee Sports International (JPSI), will set up a driving academy at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida next year, according to reports.

It has been reported that the academy will be the fourth one by the automobile giant after United States, Germany and China. The initiative is another step to promote motorsports in India besides the F1 race from Oct 28-30 at the 5.14 km circuit in Greater Noida. The reports quoted Peter Honegg, managing director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, as saying that the academy will be launched in January and they along with JPSI will come up with a concrete plan on the facility after the inaugural F1 race in October. He was quoted as saying "We want to start the academy in January and by November we will be ready with the details on the project. Our brand is seen as a luxury brand in India and we want to change that perception quickly. Mercedes has been closely associated with motorsports globally."

The reports also mentioned that the academy will have two programmes to start with. The 'emotional and basic programme' will focus on how to drive a sports car and the drivers will get a certificate after successfully completing the course. According to reports, the advanced level of the programme will be meant for those who want to pursue a career in motorsports. They will hone their skills under former international drivers and will be sent to training in Germany.

It was also mentioned that JPSI managing director Sameer Gaur said the academy will be one of things they are planning post the high-profile event. "We are happy to partner Mercedes in this initiative and we will also look to keep the track busy by hosting two or three major international races every year. But right now the focus remains on the Indian GP," said Gaur. Mercedes and JPSI have also entered an agreement in which Mercedes will be the sole provider of the safety cars for all events at the BIC including the Indian Grand Prix. Mercedes is the engine supplier of three teams in the current F1 season including their own Mercedes GP Petronas outfit. The other two are McLaren Mercedes and Force India, according to the reports.

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