'Ticketing of Indian GP to be hassle-free'

Spectators may have had a harrowing experience while buying tickets for the cricket World Cup, but organisers hosting India's first ever F1 Grand Prix say their process will be hassle free and the tickets would be affordable to all sections of the society.

Jaypee Sports International (JPSI) will host the Indian Grand Prix at their new racetrack near Greater Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi and they have roped in 'Bookmyshow.com' as their exclusive ticketing partner for the event. The track is expected to be completed by July, 2011.

"We are in the ticketing business for a long time now. Technology and experience are our backbone and the entire ticket buying process will be extremely user friendly and simple for a fan in any part of the world," says Ashish Hemrajani, Founder of Bigtree Entertainment, holding company for Bookmyshow.com.

There will be seating capacity of about 1,10,000 people at the roughly 5.14 kilometres long racetrack designed by F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke and the ticket prices are being finalised.

"Ticket slabs will ensure the entry for students as well as corporate entities, as we want to attract racing enthusiasts from every stratum of the society. We will start the sale sometime in June", says Hemrajani.

This international event is scheduled on October 30 as the 17th race of the 2011 Formula One season, whereas the qualifying and practice rounds will begin from October 28 at Jaypee International Race Circuit.

Fans will have the option to choose their seats online. Once they do it, the view of the racing track from that seat will be displayed and if one does not like it, the seat can be changed.

Apart from online sale, ticket counters will be opened in main catchment areas such as Connaught Place and Noida. There will be facility to book tickets through mobile applications using Blackberry and Android phones. A call centre will also be set up to help customers to sort out their problems.

"For us, it's important that the user experience for spectators should be world-class in every respect. We are sure we will be able to deliver services that match not just our expectations but also the expectations of scores of F1 fans in India and abroad," says Sameer Gaur, MD and CEO, JPSI. According to Hemrajani, it will be a carnival like experience for the fans as the event will be for three days.

"It is really good weather in Delhi in October last. It will be a memorable experience of racing, hospitality and entertainment. The benefits of an economy like India joining the F1 calendar are clear.

Due to a strong international fan base, not only would the hotel and tourism industry get an immediate boost, the country's profile, too, would get a lift," he says.