Toyota Kirloskar Motor today announced its return to the race circuits with the 2014 season of Etios Motor Racing (EMR) Trophy. And for the first time, the company is conducting EMR Trophy in Coimbatore. The race is scheduled for July 19 and 20 at the Kari Motor Speedway.
‘This is the second season of EMR Trophy. EMR is a one-make race series and only Etios cars will participate in this trophy,' said N Raja, Director and Senior Vice-President (Sales and Marketing), Toyota Kirloskar Motor.
Stating that Toyota introduced EMR two years back in India to promote motorsports at the grass-root level, he said, “Our intention is to lure and groom young, budding racers and showcase their skill. We want to get more people into our fold. Last year, 25 EMR racing drivers took part in the trophy. Ten new drivers have joined EMR in its second season. The list includes two lady drivers.”
Though Coimbatore is acknowledged as the ‘racing city of India’, the list did not have the name of a single driver from this city.
Mr Raja however hinted that the company is looking forward to training and developing more motorsports enthusiasts. “We want to make motorsports more accessible and popular in India. EMR is the platform for talented young racers to develop their motoring skills. We want to grow the racing fraternity in India.”
Diljith was the first champion of the inaugural EMR Trophy held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida last year.
“Only budding racers, not seasoned ones, participated in the maiden EMR Trophy. We will probably see them grow this year,” said the Senior Vice-President of Toyota Kirloskar Motor.
Answering yet another query, he said, “Our aim is to add more models and get into multi-car racing eventually. We want to see success with our drivers, who are not professionals.”