BPCL''s Speed Run attracts enthusiasts from across the country

Mumbai: On Sunday, March 28, the quarter-mile drag race, a one-of-its-kind event in the country, Speed Run 2004, sponsored by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and organised by Hungama events and Autocar India, attracted over 10,000 motor sports enthusiasts. They came from cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad, among others.

Motor sports lovers present at Speed Run 2004 included industrialist Gautam Singhania (who walked off with two awards), Bollywood stars John Abraham, Jackie Shroff and Kamal Sadanha, photographer Atul Kasbekar, Uday Singh, managing director, Columbia Tristar, Salman Noorani, managing director, Zodiac, Pradeep Gidwani, managing director, Fosters and Rajiv Dubey, head of Tata Motors.

Gautam Singhania ranked first in the two foreign car categories (2000cc and 2001-3000cc) where he rode his Lotus Elise and Honda S 2000 respectively. He finished the quarter-mile run in both the categories in less than a minute.

Said Sarthak Behuria, chairman and managing director of BPCL, said, "I thoroughly enjoyed the ride in Gautam Singhania's Lotus Elise. Also, I am completely overwhelmed by the participation and response of the number of lovers of motor sports." Commenting on the BPCL association, he said, "It is a great experience and we will continue extending our support to the event."

The event was a promotion for BPCL's Speed, a hi-performance petrol, and the first branded petrol launched in India by Bharat Petroleum. Introduced in the market to cater to the influx of new generation vehicles, Speed enhances the overall engine performance and ensures smoother drives. It is blended with multi-functional additives. Bharat Petroleum's 'pure for sure' guarantee also covers Speed.

S Ramesh, general manager, retail strategy and brand, BPCL, said "Speed has been strongly associated with motor sports from the time of its launch. Speed Run 2004 strongly supports the core brand values of Speed by leveraging the passion for motor sports in the country. BPCL and Speed will continue to associate with motor sports in a big way."

The biking , too, had turned up in full force. Some of the bikes seen roaring down included the Yamaha V-Max, Honda X4, Honda CBR 600, Suzuki Hayabusa 1300 cc, Honda Valkyrie 1500cc, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R 1100 CC.