My dear friends,

The following article appeared in the August 2002 issue of the Overdrive magazine, a leading automobile magazine in India which speaks volumes of how Mr.Nazir Hoosein / MAI handles motor sport / competitors in India.

Infact, one of the allegations against the FMSCI was that FMSCI was involved in a commercial activity that it was trying to import certain equipments to sell to the competitors.  While the FMSCI clearly stated that as a Government's recognized Federation, it would get these spares cheaper (0% import duty) and would pass on the benefit to the competitor went unheard by the FIA.

Now  see how the Vice-President of the FIA / his club behaves with a competitor by misusing the FIA "Sporting" powers  to exploit competitors of their hard earned money.

It must be noted that only the shock absorbers supplied by them are to be used and competitors are NOT ALLOWED to purchase from outside.
 

Article in Overdrive Magazine, August 2002 issue

"As of going to press, OVERDRIVE has come into possession of an open letter from the Rally Star Cup (RSC) competitors to the MAI listing their grievances and criticising the unco-operative attitude of the RSC organizers.

The gist of the letter is over the ever increasing costs of rallying in the RSC class, the icing on the cake being the recent incidents at the Nashik rally where the RSC organizers brought in Koni Shocks to replace the Monroe shocks being used earlier.  A laudable move but executed poorly, the competitors being charged Rs.13,600/= per set when the RSC fee is supposed to include suspension.  Not to mention only Koni equipped cars would be allowed to start the rally.  It has also come to light that the same kit is avaliable in the market for Rs.8,800 !!!

The Konis aren't a straight fit on the Esteems and so the lower half of an OE shock has to be sawed off to house and mount the Konis.  Plus the issue of spares weren't addressed and if the shocks were to get damaged a new set of either Konis (plus a donor shock) or the OE Munjal Showas  / Monroes had to be purchased.

OVERDRIVE was also witness to a shocking incident where the RSC co-ordinator Krishna Prasad was seen coming to blows with a senior member of the rallying fraternity at a meeting called by the former at midnight ! And telling a rookie competitor, "Bugger why do you rally if you don't have money ?" only brings the sport into disrepute.

All the RSC organizers and even some tuners have been very vocal about the said co-ordinator's attitude problem.  The issue of poor quality service meted out was also raised in the letter, thinkgs like haywire ignition timings (among others) coming to light in Nashik.

We hope that the organizers reaction will be positive since it will be a shame if the depleted grid dries up completely on account of these grievances and attitudes."