Sholavaram
Encyclopedia
Sholavaram, a quiet town 24 km north of Chennai
, Tamil Nadu
. It is primarily known for its Lake
and the motor racing track.
Sholavaram lake
is one of the many water bodies that are used as water sources for Chennai.
The race track
once used to be an air strip during World War II
; racing events were conducted between the early 60's and well into the late 80's. Racing events usually took place during the month of February every year until the Madras Motor Sports Club
built a new track at Irungattukottai near Sriperumbudur
just outside Chennai. The Sholavaram race track still evokes strong memories and nostalgia from several drivers and spectators.
Racing categories included Mopeds, Scooters, Superbikes and Cars like Indian Saloon car to the much exciting 4 wheeler open class. Some of the most powerful cars from Formula 5000
s, Formula Two
and Formula Atlantic
s participated during the racing events.
The track in its heyday attracted drivers from Sri Lanka
, United Kingdom
and other Europe
an Countries.
, Premier Padmini
's and Standard Herald
s, many formula cars have scorched the track. FISSME's (also known as Formula Maruti) made its debut here in the tracks in the last year 1988.
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
. It is primarily known for its Lake
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
and the motor racing track.
Sholavaram lake
Sholavaram Lake
Sholavaram Lake, located in Ponneri taluka of Thiruvallur district, Tamilnadu, South India, is one of the rain-fed reservoirs from where water is drawn for supply to Chennai. On account of scanty rainfall for last three years , the lake looks like a small pond now....
is one of the many water bodies that are used as water sources for Chennai.
The race track
Race track
A race track is a purpose-built facility for racing of animals , automobiles, motorcycles or athletes. A race track may also feature grandstands or concourses. Some motorsport tracks are called speedways.A racetrack is a permanent facility or building...
once used to be an air strip during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
; racing events were conducted between the early 60's and well into the late 80's. Racing events usually took place during the month of February every year until the Madras Motor Sports Club
Madras Motor Sports Club
Madras Motor Sports Club is an Indian auto racing club founded in 1952 and based in Chennai, India.Madras Motor Sports Club with its history of over 50 years is the reason that Chennai can be called the epicentre of motor racing in India....
built a new track at Irungattukottai near Sriperumbudur
Sriperumbudur
Sriperumbudur is an industrial city in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located in proximity to Chennai. It is famous for being the birth place of Sri Ramanuja, one of the most prominent Hindu Vaishnava saints as well as the town where former Indian Prime Minister...
just outside Chennai. The Sholavaram race track still evokes strong memories and nostalgia from several drivers and spectators.
Racing categories included Mopeds, Scooters, Superbikes and Cars like Indian Saloon car to the much exciting 4 wheeler open class. Some of the most powerful cars from Formula 5000
Formula 5000
Formula 5000 was an open wheel, single seater auto-racing formula that ran in different series in various regions around the world from 1968 to 1982. It was originally intended as a low-cost series aimed at open-wheel racing cars that no longer fit into any particular formula...
s, Formula Two
Formula Two
Formula Two, abbreviated to F2, is a type of open wheel formula racing. It was replaced by Formula 3000 in 1985, but the FIA announced in 2008 that Formula Two would return for 2009 in the form of the FIA Formula Two Championship...
and Formula Atlantic
Formula Atlantic
Formula Atlantic is a specification of open wheel racing car developed in the 1970s. It was used in professional racing through the IMSA Atlantic Championship until 2009 and is currently primarily used in amateur racing through Sports Car Club of America Formula Atlantic.-History:The history of...
s participated during the racing events.
Notable drivers
- Sundaram Karivardhan
- Somender Singh
- Charles MortimerCharles Mortimer-Selected filmography:* Watch Beverly * You Made Me Love You * Sometimes Good * The Return of Bulldog Drummond * The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes * The Price of a Song * Someone at the Door...
- Neil Tuxworth
- Vijay MallyaVijay MallyaVijay Mallya is an Indian liquor and airline baron. The son of industrialist Vittal Mallya, he is the chairman of the United Breweries Group and Kingfisher Airlines. His United Spirits is world's second largest liquor maker, by volume...
http://www.business-standard.com/special/billion/2005/bill05_01.htm - J. AnandJ. AnandJ. Anand is former racing driver from Coimbatore, India who was active during the 1980s and 90's. He currently runs a rally car team and provides automobile R&D services to various automobile manufacturers.-Background:...
- Tiff NeedellTiff NeedellTimothy "Tiff" Needell isa British racing driver and television presenter. He is best known as a former co-presenter of Top Gear and current co-presenter of Fifth Gear.-Biography:...
former BBC Top Gear presentator - Jim CrawfordJim Crawford (driver)Jim Crawford was a Scottish racing driver. He first came to the racing community's notice when he borrowed Stephen Choularton's Lotus 69 and won on his first outing at Croft Racing Track in the North East of England...
former IndianapolisIndianapolisIndianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
Indy 500 racer
The track in its heyday attracted drivers from Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and other Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an Countries.
Notable cars
Apart from AmbassadorsHindustan Ambassador
The Hindustan Ambassador is a car manufactured by Hindustan Motors of India. It has been in production since 1958 with few modifications or changes and is based on the Morris Oxford III model, first made by the Morris Motor Company at Cowley, Oxford in the United Kingdom from 1956 to 1959.Despite...
, Premier Padmini
Premier Padmini
'Premier Padmini' was an automobile manufactured in India from 1967 to 2000.Premier Automobiles Limited, the erstwhile flagship company of India's Walchand Hirachand Group, assembled Fiat's Fiat 1100 cars from the 1950s until 1997...
's and Standard Herald
Triumph Herald
The Triumph Herald was a small two-door car introduced in 1959 by the Standard-Triumph Company of Coventry. Body design was by the Italian stylist Michelotti and the car was offered in saloon, convertible, coupé, van, and estate models....
s, many formula cars have scorched the track. FISSME's (also known as Formula Maruti) made its debut here in the tracks in the last year 1988.
- Ferrari 365 GTFerrari 365The Ferrari 365 is Ferrari's large FR layout grand tourer and 2+2 line. Introduced at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, it replaced the 330 and 500 Superfast. Featuring evolutionary Pininfarina styling, it is nevertheless often overshadowed by its famous successor, the sharp-creased 365 GTB/4...
-Dr.Rossi of Mumbai - Formula 1 Team EnsignEnsign (racing team)Ensign was a Formula One constructor from Britain. They participated in 133 grands prix, entering a total of 155 cars. Ensign scored 19 championship points and no podium finish...
-Vijay MallyaVijay MallyaVijay Mallya is an Indian liquor and airline baron. The son of industrialist Vittal Mallya, he is the chairman of the United Breweries Group and Kingfisher Airlines. His United Spirits is world's second largest liquor maker, by volume... - John SurteesJohn SurteesJohn Surtees, OBE is a British former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and Formula One driver from England. He was 500cc motorcycle World Champion in 1956 and 1958–60, Formula One World Champion in 1964, and remains the only person to have won World Championships on both two and four wheels...
Formula 5000Formula 5000Formula 5000 was an open wheel, single seater auto-racing formula that ran in different series in various regions around the world from 1968 to 1982. It was originally intended as a low-cost series aimed at open-wheel racing cars that no longer fit into any particular formula...
-Driven by Mahrajkumar of GondalGondalGondal is a city and a municipality in Rajkot district in the Indian state Gujarat. Gondal state was one of the eight first class princely states of Kathiawar Agency during Bombay Presidency...
http://www.oldracingcars.com/f5000/surtees/ts11.htm - Several ChevronChevron Cars LtdChevron Cars Ltd. is a manufacturer of racing cars, founded by Derek Bennett in 1965. Following Bennett's death in 1978, the firm has remained active in various guises. The original company's designs and name continue to be utilized by Roger Andreason to build replacement parts and continuation...
s Formula AtlanticFormula AtlanticFormula Atlantic is a specification of open wheel racing car developed in the 1970s. It was used in professional racing through the IMSA Atlantic Championship until 2009 and is currently primarily used in amateur racing through Sports Car Club of America Formula Atlantic.-History:The history of...
's-S.Karivardhan ,Vicky Chandok - Ford MustangFord MustangThe Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
, Jaguar E-typeJaguar E-typeThe Jaguar E-Type or XK-E is a British automobile, manufactured by Jaguar between 1961 and 1975. Its combination of good looks, high performance, and competitive pricing established the marque as an icon of 1960s motoring...
, Jaguar XK 150 etc.
Layout
The track was originally an unused Worldwar II air strip with a T-Shaped layout with long straights. The main straights had a long grandstand where the spectators had the full view of the racing action and the pits. This track attracted the crowds, making the stands jampacked during the motor races.Links
- History of Sholavaram Racing Strip
- Premier Padmini's at Sholavaram.Beating the CoimbatoreCoimbatoreCoimbatore , also known as Kovai , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is known as the "Manchester of South India"....
Boys. http://www.cybersteering.com/cruise/feature/niaz/cars4.html - Ambassadors in Racing http://www.cybersteering.com/cruise/feature/niaz/cars2.html
- Origins of Sholavaram http://auto.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1142703.cms
- Maharaj of Gondals Formula 5000 http://www.oldracingcars.com/f5000/surtees/ts11.htm
- Madras Motor Sports Club http://www.mmsc.in
- Niaz Ali's Two Seater racing car http://www.cybersteering.com/cruise/feature/niaz/cars3.html
- FMSCI,then Motorsports Governing Body http://www.fmsci.org/fmscihistory.htm?page=null
- Maharaj of Gondal's Jaguar XK 150 http://www.bsmotoring.com/bsm/wcms/en/home/classic-drive/jaguarxk150s-060920.html;jsessionid=1AE0E10E4F3B74168354A0873530AF96