Director of Volkswagen Motorsport Jost Capito says the German manufacturer will support the bid to stage a World Rally Championship round in India.Capito, who will be joining McLaren Formula 1 team this year, believes having a WRC round in one of the biggest automobile market will only be good for the sport.
“India is one of the upcoming and emergent markets and it’s really valid to have rallies in important markets and emergent markets,” said Capito to Press Trust of India at the sidelines of Rally Finland.
“We would be very supportive of having a rally in India. That’s for sure,” adding that the manufacturer wouldn’t mind going an extra step to make it happen.
“We work with Volkswagen India, we support them in development of cars. They have a rally program.
“We are in regular contact with VW Motorsport India to support them and also to get program approved,” the 57-year-old added.
During a visit to India, FIA president Jean Todt stressed that the country has the potential of staging an international rally.
Currently, India is slated to host the final round of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship with the Rally of India at Chikmagalur, Bangalore on December 3-5.
When asked about the dearth of Indian drivers in WRC and whether Volkwagen would take one, Capito clarified that they don’t have a drivers’ programme. Drivers have to come through.
“It is difficult for us because we only have the WRC programme. The drivers have to come through [on their own],” he started.
“We are in contact with VW India. They see and give us information what the drivers are [doing], so as soon as somebody come through, of course will get the chance.
“As manufacturers we have three cars and we have to take three best [racers]. We have to get best possible drivers.
“You have to be in position to win rallies, otherwise we can’t win the championships,” added Capito.
For years, Indian Gaurav Gill has been said to be the one to make it to WRC but lack of budgets is hampering the 2013 APRC champion’s bid to secure a seat.
Elsewhere, Pune-based Sanjay Takale, who is also contesting the APRC, is eyeing to compete in WRC in 2017, while Kolkata-based Amittrajit Ghosh, who finished on podium in the BRC4 category, has targeted WRC/ERC programme in the future.