For the third season, Tata Motors kicked off its long-anticipated T1 Racer Program (TRP) that saw over 550 entries of Indian truck drivers from different transport companies. However, only 12 will make the cut on the final race day. The truck drivers were put through rigorous training sessions under which 132 drivers made it to Level 1, 64 to Level 2, whereas Level 3 saw 23 participants being shortlisted. At today's event, Tata shared details of 17 potential Indian truck drivers, who will compete against each other in the final round - Level 4, of the T1 Racer program. The TRP's final round will determine the 12 finalists who will be driving the Prima racing trucks at BIC on March 20.
The finals are divided into two racing categories comprising of four races. The 'Super Class' category of two races with be hosted for Indian race truck drivers, whereas the 'Pro Class' will see the international truck drivers compete separately for the 20 lap final race.
Coming to the chariot on wheels, the 2016 T2 Prima race truck has received extensive upgrades for Season 3 of the T1 Prima Racing Championship with a total of 43 additional modifications. Power output remains the same of 370bhp available at 2100rpm, but the truck is lighter by 500 kg compared to the previous edition. As a result, the race-spec Prima is now faster hitting a top speed of 130 km/h, promising an exciting spectacle.
On the technical front, the race-spec truck gets a reduced the centre of gravity by 100mm for improved stability; a lighter suspension is now in place and improved shock absorbers help in achieving high speed corner turns. Furthermore, the brake cooling system has improved with spray jets nozzles, while new 315/70 R 22.5 tyres have been introduced. The front wheel lug nuts have also been pushed inside, in a bid to make the nudge friendly sport, a bit safer. The Prima trucks meet the safety and performance guidelines from the BTRA, which included adding propeller shaft guards, racing seats and safety belts, in addition to changing the exhaust. All of the race spec trucks were built at Tata's Jamshedpur based facility.
The only-of-its-kind motorsport event in the country, the Tata T1 Prima Racing Championship has had a growing interest since its debut edition that witnessed over 25,000 spectators, which increased to a whopping 50,000 in the second edition. The numbers are only expected to increase at this season.
