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Comments from one of the senior person involved in the motor sports fraternity, who prefers to remain anonymous.

“Our campaign against FMSCI is not recent but dates back several years.  We were not aware the FIA had a Foreign Affairs Consultant or we would have contacted him earlier”

May be true.  However, it is still a puzzle, then why Mr.Rodricks chose to send us letters only now and not earlier.  May be Mr.Nazir Hoosein was not a friend at that time. The intention behind sending these letters NOW is also suspicious , as Mr.Leon came to India in August last year, wherein he had a private meeting with MRF, the FIA had a meeting in October last year, if at all Mr.Rodricks had any problems, should have sent atleast after October, why did he choose to send this letter only in the month of March when the FIA meeting is scheduled in April 2000.  Was he thinking over it or MRF agreement with Mr.Hoosein signed only NOW.

“When recorded that the rally scenario was not satisfactry the FMSCI was promptly hurt and retaliated by being uncooperative and later feigned alarm when Nazir resigned as the Rally Chairman”

Mr.Rodricks, the reason for Mr.Nazir Hoosein resigning as Rallycom Chairman is known to everyone.  When FMSCI was trying to follow the FIA guidelines, Mr.Hoosein wants only Maruti Esteem to run in the Championship.  (a rumour says that MRF dictated to Nazir that MRF is prepared to run only Maruti Esteems), that is why Mr.Nazir, the FIA man, now wants to go AGAINST FIA regulations to PLEASE MRF.

“Any sensible person, aware that the FMSCI activities were being observed, would have gone along with Nazir and not insisted he could function subject to the Council’s approval”.

Mr.Rodricks, have some sense.  The Council is the supreme body just like your board of directors. Will any Company agree to any individual going against the direction of the board.  Will you dare go against your board directions.  It is a simple logic.  Please also explain in detail, why Mr.Hoosein cannot function within the ambit of FMSCI council, when the rules and regulations are exactly of that of FIA.

“When we met, you had demonstrated shock at Nazir’s resignation, but your act was far from convincing.”

No comments as not aware of it.

“Everybody connected with Motor sports knows that our rallies are below par; why is FMSCI so blind to reality ?”

Oh Mr.Rodricks, is it.  Then why MRF was spending so much on Rally Team Sir.  FMSCI is blind.  Your eyes are wide open No.  Then Why did you waste MRF’s money Sir.  Is your board of directors aware of this.

“Are you surprised the IASC, Bangalore rally last year failed to qualify for a slot in the Asia Zone Championships ? This is the Chairman’s own rally and we understand the FMSCI approved Rs.5 lakhs for this event to ensure it was run to standards !!!”

As I was present during the IASC Rally, we all knew that it may or may not make up to the standards.  When Mr.Sardjono came and spoke about the standard documentation etc. etc., the Organisers and we felt sorry that if we had known all these things earlier, we could have easily done it.  Thanks to your good friend Mr.Nazir Hoosein, who always kept the FMSCI in the dark about everything, though was a the representative of the FMSCI to the FIA.  While you are finding fault with the organisers, don’t you think that Mr.Nazir Hoosein should have advised the organisers on the expectations, if at all he was truthful to the FMSCI or to the Indian Motor Sports.  5 Lakhs what a big amount.  Mr.Rodricks, think about the money MRF had spent for participating in the IASC Rally.  Why did you participate in National Rally Championship.  Why donot you withdraw.  You may not because you need motor sports more than motor sports need you.  You withdrew from some rounds of the Championship in 1996 or 1997 if my memory serves me right, the organisers received better entries.  It will be in the interest of both MRF (you save a lot of money) and motor sports (free from lot of court cases), that you withdraw from motor sports completely.

“Why are you against Nazir’s planned Open Rally Championship ? With his exposure, this championship is bound to overshawdow the National Rally Championship, that is what may be worrying”

Oh that’s a good one.  First of all, please enlighten us about what is Open Rally Championship.  May be your good friend, Mr.Nazir Hoosein, may quote some article from the FIA books which define the term “Open Rally Championship”.  Your earliest email to me would be highly appreciated.

“The Himalayan Rally organised by Nazir was in an exclusive class - with no event remotely comparable organised in India for the last 15 years.  FMSCI should realise there is a lot to learn from professionals”.

Mr.Rodricks, YES  Himalayan Rally organised by Nazir (please do not forget, it was a combined effort of almost each and every club now in India that Himalayan rally was run and most of them withdrew due to Mr.Nazir’s behaviour !!!!) was in an exclusive class of 90 ARMY JONGAS participating.  Oh! this is the standard MRF wants, is it.  It would have been very easy for the FMSCI to have allowed ARMY JONGAS instead of spending time to convince Maruti, Hindustan Motors, Ford etc. to homologate their vehicle.  YES it was in an exclusive class - having killed 5 prospective sponsors.  Beware motor sports enthusiasts, when you ever stay in any hotel where Himalayan rally was held, be sure that you do not open your mouth and talk about it.  You may either be asked to check out immediately as Himalayan Rally owe a lot of money to these hotels or you may loose your belongings to adjust the amount due.  YES, definitely Himalayan rally was a class of its own!!!! If the Himalayan rally was run only by Mr.Nazir, then why he could not continue !!!? particularly when there is a pre-condition that at least one International event has to be held to retain the world Council seat.

“Nazir is not the only person to learn from.”

Friends, imagine what will happen if you start learning from Mr.Nazir.

“Mr.Shyam Kothari and Mr.Sherif Dyan, two outstanding riders who are excellent motocross organisers, like Nazir have no commensurate status in the FMSCI.  Why? Because they are professionals and they organise better events than others”

Mr.Rodricks, you are aware that Mr.Nazir Hoosein still is the FMSCI representative to the FIA, the world controller of motor sports, because of which he is a member of Word Motor Sports Council, FIA Vice-President.  What more status do you want.  The way in which he has reciprocated the gesture to the FMSCI, REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF SPORTING POWER.  That is how a person should behave.  What a Caliber !!!!  Yes, there is no doubt that Mr.Shyam Kothari and Mr.Sherif Dyan are two outstanding riders and motocross organisers.  Mr.Rodricks, please explain in detail, how MRF is claiming responsibility for their outstanding excellence.  Did MRF sponsor them to a Seminar, Did MRF gave them money to attend FIM Congress, Did MRF give them the opportunity of conducting so many event to become an expert, Why are you taking credit for these two outstanding personalities.  Just because you have sponsored the MX, do you think they are your SLAVES ?  Sorry, they are not.  If MRF had not sponsored, some body else would have.

“In -fact your two-year sting as the two-wheeler committee chairman was uneventful.  Everybody knows , and you will confess, your knowledge and exposure to two-wheeler competition is negligible, yet you were appointed the two wheeler chairman while stalwarts like Sheriff and Shyam were sidelined.  As a consequence the two-wheeler sport predictably suffered during your tenure”.

Mr.Rodricks think before you talk.  The knowledge in the Technical Aspect of two wheeler is completely different from handling the two wheeler events.  Let me ask you one simple question.  If you go and ask Mr.Bill Gates of Microsoft the technicalities of how Internet Explorer works, he may not be able to answer.  But he has the capacity of using all the good brains together and make it work.  Mr.K.D. Madan was the head of the two wheeler commission.  You must also understand that the two wheeler commission’s job is not ONLY to promote motocross.  But the overall aspect of the two wheeler.  If you say that the two wheeler rallying has not improved in the last few years, people would laugh at you.  Mr.Shyam and Mr.Sherif were very much present as important members, I understand.  But Mr.Rodricks, why is the sudden interest in Mr.Shyam and Mr.Sherif.  Are you afraid that they may leave you, when they understand that there is a better prospective sponsor.  I again reiterate, that Mr.Shyam and Mr.Sherif knows their job and they are not your Slaves.  It  is also to be noted that the FIM UAM have recognised Mr.Madan as the vice-President.  Mr.Rodricks, please enlighten us whom to believe. You or the FIM, the world controller of 2 wheeler motor sports.

“We were the first to promote an International Motocross in 1984 at Pune.”

May be true.  Why then you did not continue ?

“A National championship was organised five years back, that was the first and the last motocross championship”.

Mr.Rodricks, will you please explain what was your position in the above Championship.  Was MRF sponsored these events.  Obviously not.  It was FMSCI’s effort that ITC sponsored these Bristol National Motocross Championship.  When you sponsored the mx events in 1984, then why did not you sponsor a mx championship ?

“In fact during the last two years not a single recognised motocross event was organised in the Country”

Mr.Rodricks, may I ask you one simple question.  Do you think and Motocross is the only two wheeler event.  Have you ever heard of Autocross, Gymkhanas, Supercross, Dirt Track events besides rallying.  Why are you not talking about these events.  You do not seem to recognise these events, because it is not sponsored by MRF.  You talk only of MX because it is sponsored by MRF.  Mr.Rodricks, please also note that the co-sponsors like Castrol, TVS Suzuki also are equally responsible for success.  Please donot sideline them.

“I had discussed this vacuum with the then president and assured sponsorship support for a revival of MX.  He acted enthusiastic and said a blue print would be prepared and submitted to us.  Nothing followed.  Frustrated Shyam and Sherif met us last year and requested sponsorship.  We agreed on the explicit condition that FMSCI’s involvement would be minimal if not non-existant; this was deliberate because FMSCI is known for unnecessary interferance when efficient events are organised”

Read the above carefully.  Sentence 1, he discusses with the then President (I hope he is talking only about FMSCI President and not President of India) for a revival of MX.  Last sentence, FMSCI is known for unnecessary interference when efficient events are organised.  Mr.Rodricks, I think you have drunk too much.  On the one hand, you discuss with the President of the FMSCI about MRF sponsoring, on the other hand, you donot want FMSCI’s interference.  MRF’S STANDARD (DOUBLE) ??? Mr.Rodricks discusses with the President of MRF Sponsoring the MX.  Nothing comes out of it.  Guys, did you tie Rodricks hand, when he tried to write to the FMSCI about the Championship.  MRF talks about sponsorship, if nothing comes, Shyam and Sherif are frustrated.  How is this possible.  Mr.Rodricks have almost decided that Mr.Shyam and Sherif are his SLAVES.  Mr.Shyam PARA – a member club of FMSCI) and Sherif (IMSA – a member club of FMSCI) approached FMSCI for a MX Championship.  They were granted  (FMSCI’s involvement).  They sent the Supplementary Regulations to the FMSCI for approval (FMSCI’s involvement).  They  send the money to the FMSCI for permit fees, for which the FMSCI issues receipt (FMSCI’s involvement), FMSCI details the Stewards, Scrutineers (FMSCI’s involvement).  FMSCI’s competitors take part in the event (FMSCI’s involvement), when there is a protest or appeal the FMSCI Stewards take a decision (FMSCI’s involvement), the results have to be sent to the FMSCI (FMSCI’s involvement).  The Stewards report is sent to the FMSCI (FMSCI’s involvement).

But Mr.Rodricks says that they agreed on the explicit condition that FMSCI’s involvement would be minimal if not non-existant.  What a joke.  Mr. Rodricks search  your brain.  The above is the normal functioning of the FMSCI for any Championship event and the FMSCI has not diluted from it at all.  YET, Mr.Rodricks from his imaginery world calls it as FMSCI’s less involvement.  Sorry, give me some time to finish my laugh.  Most probably he is not aware of all these things.  He should not have mixed his drinks at all.

“In fact in one case when the president acted unreasonably in 1997, he retracted when he was told if he interfered the event would continue without the association of the FMSCI.  We are confident the MRF National Motocross Championship 2000 organised jointly by Shyam and Sherif would usher in a new lease of life to motocross in India”

So you said that.  Then why did you ask Mr.Shyam and Mr.Sherif to talk to FMSCI about the Championship.  If you had the real guts you should have gone ahead no without the FMSCI.  I am sure that Mr.Shyam and Mr.Sherif would have explained to you in detail about the repercussions.  By the way, I just heard that the FMSCI has granted the Championship for a token fee of Rs.1001/= to promote Motocross.  Why have you not mentioned this in your letter.  Why are you hiding facts.  “would usher in a new lease of lift to motocross in India”.  This is the very purpose of FMSCI granting this championship for a token fee of Rs.1001/=.  Mr.Rodricks, tell me, that you have granted some money to Mr.Shyam and Mr.Sherif, obviously to promote MRF - The Tyres we race or the tyres you buy and you are finding fault with the FMSCI, who just wants to promote events.  Both of you are interested parties, you are interested in your advertisement while FMSCI is interested in promotion of motor sports.  Your claim that you are doing all these things to promote motor sports is ridiculous.

“The first event in Pune on 20 Feb 2000 was immaculate in organisation.  The stadium was packed to its capacity of 10000 even though there were no foreign riders.  Pre and post event media coverage was superb.  In fact three new papers featured event photographs on the front page, two with colour photographs ! But all the.........Mr.Madan obtaining recognition for motor sports is the function of the FMSCI ; it is time we awoke from our lethargy.”

The FMSCI granted the championship to Shyam and Sherif (not to MRF) knowing pretty well that these people are capable of it.  Do you mean to say Mr.Rodricks that just because you have sponsored these events, the event was organised well, if some body else have sponsored these, Shyam and Sherif would not have done good if not better.  I really do not understand, why you treat Shyam and Sherif as your Slaves, the organisation was good etc. etc. the credit goes to Shyam and Sherif.  Are you telling us that ONLY BECAUSE OF MRF SPONSOR, Shyam and Sherif organised the event well, publicity was good etc. etc.  Shyam and Sherif would have done the same good job even if it sponsored by some body else.  Hats of to Shyam and Sherif, the independent mx lovers, good organisers.  It is really good to know that because of Shyam and Sherif MX may get good recognition.

“An expert from an article.......FMSCI there to try and take credit for some thing they were dead against in the first place”

These people lack the basic knowledge of how FMSCI functions.  You may refer to my earlier paragraph of FMSCI’s involvement.

“In sharp contract.......worst was not yet over”

Mr.Rodricks, even a kid would know that a MX event is more spectacular to watch than a circuit race.  About Crowds, could you please explain why there were no crowds last year too when you sponsored the Grand Prix. I am a witness to this personally.

“Perhaps the biggest blunder.....

As regards the review of IMSAC judgements on the suspension, even though hard to believe, we believe, and assume that Mr.Sridharan, Maj. Gen. Bijon Roye etc. etc. are personal lawyers to the FMSCI.

But Mr.Rodricks, why did you stop with that, after that what happened.  It seems you have selective amnesia, Whatever suits you, you say and only up to the point it suits you.  May be I shall take the liberty of bringing out the truth.   When MRF felt that the IMSAC should not hear the case again, MRF very promptly went to the Chennai High Court and the Chennai High Court threw the case back at the MRF’s face and upheld the decision of the FMSCI.  May be the IMSAC was biaised, Mr.Rodricks, why did the Court threw it out.  Do you have the guts to say that the High Court judge is biased.  If you do, please put it in writing so that we would like to circulate it to the High Court and get an opinion on the same. Will You Mr.Rodricks.

“The homologation of Mitsubishi Lancer.....”

Oh dear sir, I came to know that the Mitsubishi Lancer is likely to be homologated from an Indian Express article way back in November 1999, and through FASTRAC.  May be you expect Dr.Vijay Mallya to come and knock your door and inform you that the Mitsubishi Lancer is homologated.  Principles... Are you talking about principles Mr.Rodricks.  On the one hand your friend Mr.Nazir Hoosein says that the FMSCI is not following FIA way and are running historic cars, on the other hand if the FMSCI convinces the manufacturers for homologation, you say that this is wrong.  If the FMSCI has said that only Lancer will be allowed to participate, then your worry about people who have bought Esteems is genuine.

About foreigners participating in Indian events

Mr.Rodricks, it was decided in the rallycom meeting, that the foreigners will be allowed to participate, so that the Indians, when they go abroad, will have some experience and the person who participated in the rally championship was none other than the 1998 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Champion.  Don’t you think that you should have taken it in the right spirit that your team is competing against the Asia Pacific Champion.  If you were really interested in motor sports, you would have welcomed it, but your main interest is your product.  When JK Tyres sponsored these people, you were worried.  You also made a hue and cry that you have a lot of money and you will import any person of any caliber, if you had done that the rally championship could have been better.  We would have had better experience in rallying.  OK, FMSCI does not know the FIA rules.  The Asia Pacific Champion do not know the FIA rules, the seven countries in which Mr.Hoosein also officiated as Chief Steward do not know FIA rules, but Mr.Rodricks is the only person who knows FIA rules.  Joke of the year.  Mr.Karamjit Singh participated with the Indian licence in almost seven rounds last year and all the Countries welcomed him, while in India, MRF was always trying to stop him, reason, betterment of sports, interest in Motor Sports Oh! what a principle MRF has got.  You are talking of principles.  You are the person who went and stalled the prize distribution of the 1997 for the 4 wheeler category, while genuinely if you had any grievance, no need for you to go a day before the PD to the high court to get an injunction.  While only the overall and group “A” you had problems you included the Group  “N” category also, because it is won by JK.  What a principle ? what a standard ? After this Mr.Rodricks, what happened ? You yourself withdrew the court case Why ? PROMOTION OF MOTOR SPORTS !!! ha ha ha!

Selective amnesia again.  After this what happened Mr.Rodricks.  You were worried that Mr.Sagar Muthappa may not be allowed to participate in Deccan Rally.  But when did you get this worry Mr.Rodricks.  Only on the day of the next Rally when the said inquiry was held atleast 1 month before.  You went again to the Court on the day of the Rally.  What happened.  Again the Court threw the case at your face with a note that it is MRF which is trying to disrupt the sport.  FMSCI is biased, why the court should say that you are trying to disrupt the sport.  May the High court is fed up with the no. of cases you have brought against the FMSCI, some of which you have withdrawn voluntarily, some of which were turned down by the Court.  Could be please cite an example where out of the number of court cases you filed against FMSCI (mostly in those events, where MRF team did not perform well), the High Court has given judgement in your favour.  Grow up Mr.Rodricks.

Who are you Mr.Rodricks to say whom the FMSCI should appoint as President.  It is a great slur upon us, the Clubs of the FMSCI.  We wanted a democratic way of election to the Council and in the AGM, we have passed a resolution.  To hell with your Company Law Advisor.  We know of the standard of people you have in your organisation, with the number of cases you have lost against the FMSCI.

Time and again you are finding fault with the FMSCI.  How much money you have wasted in court cases, without even winning once, if you had given an opportunity to one of the privateer like me, we would have realised that you are interested in Sports.  You are interested only in promoting your own product.

You are talking of promotion of motor sports.  In the AIMRM MRF sponsored, did you have the guts to request Mr.Narain Karthikeyan to come and participate.  Out of his own wish when he came, you did not want him to participate because he is sponsored by another team.  Is this the courtesy you show to an Indian, who has kept the Indian flag fly high in the world of Motor Sports and you are talking about promotion of motor sports.  Do you think that we are all children and we donot know how MRF has spoiled the sports.  Infact, the Coimbatore event, wherein MRF decided not to participate was the best event we all enjoyed, we really felt that the past glory has come back again and prayed God that MRF should never enter this field again, to keep it clean and healthy.  Unfortunately MRF decided to participate again.  Who wanted your drivers to participate, spending so much of money, when you feel that the sports has no scope.  With lakhs and lakhs of spending on rally drivers, with an equal amount if not more on the court cases, you are trying to tell us that the sports has not grown.  MRF is incorrigible.

Oh. Mr.Nazir Hoosein, what a man, what a principle.  He is sitting in the FIA as the FMSCI representative and yet works against the FMSCI.  Guys, please imagine the caliber of such persons.  Imagine if the sporting power is given to Mr.Hoosein a chamcha of MRF what would happen to the sport.  We privateers as it is find it difficult, with MRF getting the sport, they will not allow even the privateers to enter, as if we win, the MRF cannot advertise their win.  When this can happen to the Fastest Indian in the World, Mr.Narain Karthikeyan, just imagine our plight. Mr.Nazir Hoosein is responsible for not keeping the FMSCI abreast of happenings in the world and is working against the same organisation which has given him the mandate and to these people the FIA had to transfer the sporting power.  What a ridiculous thinking.

“As genuine promoters of motor sports we will communicate to FIA our firm commitment to assist endeavour to revive motor sports in India”

May be Mr.Rodricks you may change the sentence as follows,

“As genuine distractor of motor sports consistently, with a number of court cases thrown at our face by the High Court and with a warning that we are disrupting sports, along with a man who tries to kill his own mother, we communicate to the FIA, our firm commitment to our (double) standards and to see that only MRF participates in motor sports and win all events so that we can advertise “The Tyres we race are the tyres you buy” while in actual fact, we use Michelin Tyres”