The T1 Prima Truck racing program was launched by Tata Motors in 2014 to add an exciting dimension of truck racing to one of the largest trucking markets in the world – India. Over the last two years, the event showcased the best talent in international truck racing, as well as the latest advancements in trucking technologies by Tata Motors.
While season I received participation from over 25,000 spectators, Season II witnessed morethan 50,000, at India’s globally renowned F1 race track at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC), Greater Noida.
In Season III, Tata Motors kicked off the training & selection program for India’s first Indian Truck Driver Race, scheduled to be held on March 20, 2016. Featuring an Indian truck driver’s race for the first time, as in the earlier seasons, the championship will continue to host experienced International drivers representing six teams, featuring 12 Tata PRIMA race trucks, built for the purpose.
Tata Motors conceptualized and introduced a new Indian Truck Driver Race selection and training program, based on the company’s strategic objectives as given below:
l Making the profession of truck driving aspirational – This was primarily because, there wasn’t anything really aspirational about driving a commercial vehicle any more, given multiple options for livelihood that have come up in the last few years, and harsh working conditions, along with the constant pressure to deliver on time.
l Acting as a catalyst to induct drivers into the commercial vehicles profession. Further, professional truck racing was a concept alien to India. There wasn’t readily available pool of drivers that could compete on the race track. This led to the inception of the “T1 Race Program”, a driver development initiative aimed at creating “PRIMA RACERS” out of ordinary truck drivers.
Adding glory to TATA TRUCKS
In an exclusive interview to MOTORINDIA, Mr. R. Ramakrishnan, popularly known as Ramki, Senior Vice President, Commercial Vehicles-Product Strategy and Planning & Customer Value Creations, Tata Motors Ltd. said at a press conference in Chennai that this truck driving championship was launched in 2014 with the primary objective of attracting attention and add glory to the technology of TATA TRUCKS and trucking professionals. It is a romantic way of doing things. Probably doing aggressively some of the company initiatives, this is very unique, and people should understand the PRIMA trucks and truck racing in the form of an entertainment. “We have received an overwhelming response for the upcoming season III edition as compared to the previous two editions of truck racing involved only by overseas drivers.”
According to Mr. Ramki, the event has brought in more than 500 fleet owners, out of which 130 have been shortlisted so far. The drivers were given thorough training. Exposed to tracks, they understand the mechanics of truck racing and also look out for mental make-up and physical stamina in terms of truck racing. With such a rigorous training, the results are expected to be very encouraging.
Overall, two races with Indian drivers and two with International drivers, both traditional and modern are participating in the event. This is a momentous occasion not only for Tata Motors but for the entire driving community and the people associated with it. “We see that this can lay a strong foundation and address several things for the travel and trucking community” added Mr.Ramki.