Castrol Vecton wins inaugural T1 Prima Truck Racing C’ship

The T1 Prima Truck Racing Champion, organised by Tata Motors, took place yesterday at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. The event saw an audience of over 25,000 enthusiasts who cheered the speeding Prima trucks.

India’s first truck racing championship concluded with an action-packed 45-minute final race with Castrol Vecton’s Stuart Oliver winning the debut championship. The winning Team Castrol Vecton was followed by Team Cummins and Team Tata Technologies Motor Sports in the final Team points standings.

The T1 Prima Truck Racing Championship comprised two races – a five-lap Sprint Race and a 15-lap Main Race, with the champion award granted to the winning driver on the basis on combined points from both the races. The Team Championship was awarded on the basis of the combined scores of the two drivers of the respective teams from both the races.

The series used 12 heavily-modified Tata Prima trucks capable of putting out 370bhp and reaching a top speed of 110kph driven by experienced international drivers. 

Stuart Oliver, T1 Prima Truck Racing Champion 2014, said: “It was an amazing experience. The track is beautiful and trucks were performing great. I am thrilled to have won the first ever Truck racing championship in India, among the enthusiastic crowd who were cheering each time we drove past the grand stand. I see a lot of potential of this sport here and would love to come back and race again.”

Commenting on the races, Ravi Pisharody, executive director - Commercial Business Unit, Tata Motors, said: “We have had a tremendous day here for the truck racing with a really pumped-up atmosphere and we have been delighted by the response received for the launch of our debut truck racing event. Tata Prima trucks proved their racing prowess and build quality in this high intensity race. We are extremely delighted with the performance of T1 teams and drivers who have been supportive throughout the event. We would like to congratulate the winning team, sponsors and all participants for making this first of its kind, debut racing event, a historic day.”

Besides the winning drivers, there were top British truck racing drivers, including Bran John Burt, Dave Jenkins, Paul McCumisky, James Horne, Simon Ashley Reid, Richard Collett, Steven Powell, Steven Thomas and Graham Powell, who showcased their driving skills during the event.

Photograph (L-R): Mat Summerfield from Team Cummins, Stuart Oliver from Team Castrol Vecton, David Jenkins from Team Tata Technologies Motorsports  at the winners podium.