Mahindra to provide Scorpios as support vehicles for Indian GP

Automobile major Mahindra will provide the intervention and support vehicles during the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, it was announced in New Delhi on Monday.

Mahindra have signed a five-year contract with Buddh International Circuit (BIC) to provide intervention vehicles for all motorsport events at the facility in Greater Noida.

As per the agreement, Mahindra will provide 25 Scorpios, the SUVs, including 10 Scorpio VLX and 15 Scorpio Gateway to be used in the October 30 race.

BIC, in turn, will help Mahindra in popularising their Adventure initiatives like The Great Escape, the Monastery Escape - off-road rallies.

"We are proud and privileged to be associated with the BIC. The role of our vehicles would be to rescue, support and salvage race cars in emergencies," Vivek Nayar, Senior Vice President, Marketing Automotive division of Mahindra and Mahindra Pvt Limited, said at a press conference.

"We are witnessing history being created and you will see motorsport will change in the country with the coming of F1," he added.

Nayar said they have not made any major mechanical changes to the car for the Grand Prix but have slightly modified it, adding equipment to fight fire.

Asked if Mahindra, who own a team in MotoGP, plan to support any Indian driver, Nayar replied in negative.

Bipul Pathak, Vice President of Jaypee Sports International, the organizers of the race, said discussions are on to bring a MotoGP leg to India but nothing has been finalised yet.