Hub Rally organizers eye Formula One Race Track

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The organizers of the Hub Rally Cross are eyeing to develop their Max Dirt Arena into a Formula One Track in coming years.

It’s our dream and target to launch Formula One Racing in Pakistan, once the track is ready is prepared. It is indeed a gigantic task but we are looking forward to doing it realistically in not too distant future,” the chief organizer, Shujaat Sherwani, declared during a media briefing on January 24. 

The briefing was arranged to unveil the details of the upcoming fifth edition of the Hub Rally which has grown in popularity and status over the years with the support of the print as well as the electronic media. Thrilling and exciting goes into action at Max Dirt Arena on January 30 with over 50 top racing drivers of the country in action. 

Director Marketing Ahsan Sherwani, Head of Sales & Marketing Shad Ali Khan, Max Dirt Track Developer Asif Imam, Toyota Highway Motors team comprising of National Ladies Champion Tushna Patel, Ronnie, Patel, and Talha Mansoor were also present on the occasion. 

Shujaat Sherwani informed having met the Formula One developing officials in Abu Dhabi to discuss the possibilities of a joint venture with them. “We got excellent land in Hub for the purpose on which we can achieve our objective,” he remarked.

Himself was a motor racing driver of repute of the past, Shujaat Sherwani reckoned that the Hub Rally Cross is like T20 cricket, swift and exciting races ends in one-day as compared to Gwadar, Cholistan and Jhal Magsi Rallies which are over 100 or 200 KM long and spread over two to three days.

He said that invitation has been extended to about a dozen foreign consul general to watch the race as guest of honour, adding that an academy is being launched at Max Dirt Arena under the supervision of Pakistan’s star driver Ronnie Patel and Tushna Patel who would be extending training and coaching to emerging drivers to groom them for future. 

Pakistan’s top racing driver and former Cholistan, Jhal Magsi Champion Ronnie Patel said he was impressed the way the Motor racing was coming up fast in Pakistan. 

“With the passage of time we are developing rules and regulations which are vital for the development and promotion of motor racing in Pakistan,” the veteran driver stated. 

He revealed that foreign drivers from Australia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Thailand were highly impressed with talent and conditions of the off-road racing tracks in Pakistan when they here for Cholistan and Jhal Magsi. 

"We are looking forward to see foreign drivers in action next years with great improvement of security situation. Pakistan is lucky to have such natural racing tracks which are not available in other countries. With the consistent support and assistance of media, the motor racing has gained momentum and hoped journalists carry forward the mission with us,” he recognized. 

He complimented the role of Shujaat Sherwani in promotion, development and patronizing motor sports in Pakistan. 

Asif Imam announced that the event will be held in eight categories and in the premier category of Prepared Class "A" and "B" all the participants will have two rounds on 11-kilometer track. 

Best times will be taken while deciding the winners in all categories as the Max Dirt Arena track was sandy and twisty to test of skills of the racing drivers. Kunwar Talha, one of the stock category drivers urged the media to further promote motor sports as he announced the winner of three Stock category races besides Prepared and Ladies event.