Seven Indian drivers will participate for the first time in the JK Racing Asia Series this weekend at the newly built Indian circuit. Buddh International Circuit will host Rounds 13 & 14 of the JK Racing Asia Series as part of the 2011 Formula 1 Airtel Grand Prix of India.

The teams and drivers have just completed their first practice session ahead of the Formula One drivers and have found the circuit to be challenging and a big thrill. Some have described the circuit as being a driver’s circuit while others have said that it was a truly technical circuit giving them a good challenge.

Current JK Racing Asia Series (formerly known as Formula BMW Pacific) Championship leader, Lucas Auer clocked the second best time of the day, just 0.403 seconds behind six times race winner, Afiq Ikhwan.

The dup leads a pack of formidable competitors who are all looking for the glory of winning the race this weekend at the home of the Series’ title sponsor, JK Tyre & Industries Limited.

And for the seven Indian drivers, having their first race when their nation is hosting its first Formula One race event adds a little bit more pressure.

Four drivers are with Meco Racing, two in Meco’s Ministry of Speed while one, a former Formula BMW Pacific driver, Akhil Khushlani, is with Meritus.GP. They will be joining Raj Bharath, the only Series registered driver, who has been with the Series since the start of the season.

During the practice session today, only Sarosh Hataria had an off and could not manage to complete the practice session. Akhil Khushlani was the fastest of the seven, clocking an impressive 2:07.513 to be the eighth fastest of the day. Being the only with any experience with the car, Khushlani had an obvious advantage going into the weekend.

Vishnu Prasad leads the rest of the pack completing nine practice laps ahead of Sandeep Kumar, Mohit Ahuja, Rahil Noorani and Shashank Ravishankar.

The JK Racing Asia Series will continue with Rounds 13 & 14 at the newly built Buddh International Circuit. Qualifying is scheduled to be held on Saturday, 29^th October at 9.15am while Round 13 will be held on the same day at 3.30pm local time. Round 14 is scheduled for Sunday, 30^th October at noon.

JK Tyre & Industries, the leading tyre manufacturer in India, is the title partner for the JK Racing Asia Series. The Series is also supported by AirAsia, Asia’s leading low-cost carrier.

The JK Racing Asia Series is currently the only Junior Formula that provides a unique opportunity where the drivers are given a platform to compete in front of the Formula One fraternity. On three occasions the JK Racing Asia Series will support Formula One Grand Prix, in Malaysia, Singapore and the newly built circuit in India.

The JK Racing Asia Series is organised by Motorsport Asia Ltd.

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