By PRITESH PATEL
Sr. Director & GM at Komli Media
The racing season sort of kick-starts me! My passion for cars, engines and racing made the experience at Buddh International Circuit 2012 this year a fantastic one.
As far as I can remember, I have always associated Formula 1 with Michael Schumacher. I’m not saying that’s all that the sport means to me, but there is this excitement whenever Schumi is in the picture, especially since his Scuderia Ferrari days. His track record and performance speak for themselves. And it being one of his last races ever, I just felt happy that I was going to witness it in person – maybe even get an autograph!
Speed, technology and teamwork are what make me a big fan of this sport. For instance, when else do you get to see a car accelerating from a 0-100 km/hour and back to 0 in a matter of four seconds? It’s not just the speed, but the high-class engineering that goes into making these cars. The engines and the sheer performance that’s extracted from them is the biggest attraction for me. To put it in perspective, a normal car’s engine is designed to last about 20 years while a Formula 1 car’s engine lasts for approximately two hours at full performance. This shows the level of engineering that goes into the sport, and it’s the biggest draw for me.
The most interesting part is how technology from Formula 1 makes it to everyday life. Paddle shifts, for example, come straight from Formula 1. Then there are the new age bits like the Kinetic Energy Recovery System, which has already made its way into a few buses in Europe.
I had come for the first Formula 1 race at the Buddh International Circuit as a spectator and had a very thrilling experience as it happened in our country for the first time. It was a patriotic moment, indeed. Just to see the facilities at the circuit, the cars zooming past at speeds exceeding 300 km/hour, the drivers, the glamour… I could go on and on. This time, however, it was overwhelming to be involved with this sport in a close manner. Being a huge fan of the sport, it was thrilling to lead the digital media activities for Buddh International Circuit at Komli earlier this year, primarily to build a social media community and drive ticket sales. I couldn’t have asked for more.
My passion gave me an insider’s view of how the sport is organized and run. Right from providing behind-the-scenes coverage of track days, showcase events for luxury cars, celebrities, etc., coupled with simple yet effective contests to build buzz for the Indian GP, we were determined to encapsulate the spirit of F1. As of now, I can safely say that the BIC FB page is one of the world’s best F1 venue pages with a large and active audience that’s buzzing with excitement.
Sebastian Vettel from Red Bull Racing won, but my heart really wanted Schumi to kiss the cup!
Feedback: pritesh.patel@komli.com
