Motorsport in India opened a new chapter on Friday as TVS opened an immersive racing experience in India KidZania here, with the aim of encouraging young motorcycle enthusiasts in the country.
KidZania is a learning center for children to hone their problem-solving and management skills through role-playing activities, such as doctors, entrepreneurs or even delivery people.
The TVS Racing Experience Center harnesses the synergy of motorcycles and technology in such a way that parents and children can be educated about the sport.
“I often see parents get very defensive about bike racing because what they consider ‘bike racing’ is hoodlums driving recklessly at very high speeds,” said Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company at launch. there though.
Start from zero: The assembly point will allow children to assemble the bikes as if they were working in their own garage. | Photo credit: Neeladri Bhattacharjee/Sportstar
“But one of the fundamental goals of this program is to teach them that motorcycling can be a safe sport if done in a safe environment with the help of professionals.”
The centre, India’s second after Mumbai, comes at the right time, with the country set to host its first MotoGP race at the Buddh International Circuit in September 2023.
“We know places like Chennai and Mumbai as racing hubs. Now is the time for Delhi to become the epicenter of motorsport,” Sumbly said.
The “Experience Center” consists of two parts: the workshop and the race track. While cycling simulators and AR-assisted bike customization are the store’s two main features, building blocks take the experience of being a young rider to a whole new level.
Under expert supervision, children can now assemble bikes as if they were working in a garage.
“It sounds very interesting. My daughter is five years old and she looks happy here. It’s too early to judge what it’s all about, but if my daughter finds joy here, nothing like it,” said Deepti, one of the parents who came to the launch. sports star.
Is it real? Princess Deepti, who is only six years old, was delighted to see a center dedicated to motorbikes. | Photo credit: Neeladri Bhattacharjee/Sportstar
Another benefit of this grooming program is to prepare Indian children to become world motorbike champions in the future.
Even though the country has had relatively more success in Formula 1, Formula 2 or Formula E, with Narain Karthikeyan, Karun Chandok and now Jehan Daruvala in the headlines, success in the motorcycling world (in terms of MotoGP) is still far from over.
TVS – one of the pioneers of motorcycles in the country and the first Indian manufacturer to participate in the Dakar Rally in 2015 – is trying to change that, especially with the Bharat MotoGP just around the corner.
The TVS Rookie Cup, aimed at riders aged 13 to 17, aims to attract more young people to the world of motorcycling. And these “experience centers”, in Mumbai and now in Delhi NCR, will be the precursors.
“Driven by the philosophy that inspiration starts young and aspirations start early, we aim to provide a fun and interactive experience for children,” Sumbly said.
“With this in mind, we have launched our first virtual TVS Racing Championship for these children to experience the world of motor racing at KidZania and have the chance to explore it in depth.”
