Hinduja keen to bring back the joys of motor sport to India

Sanjay Hinduja, Chairman, Gulf Oil International, is eager to bring back the joys of motor sport to India. The global conglomerate had brought in luxury sports car Aston Martin to Mumbai, as well as to the Buddh International Circuit in Noida. The Hinduja scion is now waiting for the British sports car-maker to build its new car.

“Aston Martin is a very cool brand – and not just because of its association with James Bond. We decided to tie up with them six years ago and have just renewed the agreement,” Hinduja told Business Line .

In 2008, Aston Martin had teamed up with Gulf Oil Corporation to enter two DBR9 racing cars in the legendary Le Mans race in France.

“Though I have a personal passion for sports cars, and I drive the same car, the reason we chose to sponsor Aston Martin at the Le Mans race is because it is an endurance race. One of the core values of the Gulf Oil brand is endurance. It synergises with our brand,” said Hinduja.

Eager to up the ante closer home, Sanjay Hinduja, son of Gopichand Hinduja, second of the four Hinduja brothers said, “We brought the car that won the Le Mans race three years ago to India. We had a short drive in Mumbai just before the Bandra Worli Sealink was thrown open.”

Stating that the Group’s involvement with sports car racing is not just restricted to foreign cars, he said, “Gulf Oil is there at most of the domestic rallies happening in India. We have sponsored the monsoon rally and are keen with our involvement in motor racing.”

Having brought the Aston Martin Vantage GTE Endurance Race car along with its driver, Stefan Mucke, to the Buddh International Circuit the second time round in November 2012, Hinduja insists it is time for another adrenaline rush.

“We will have to wait for Aston Martin’s new car, and hopefully be able to bring it here next year.”

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