Revenue brings Super Bike championship India ahead of Moto GP

The organisers were in talks with both Moto GP and the World Super Bike championship (WSBK) but the revenue-earning opportunities that came with the latter were too good to resist for JPSI,which successfully hosted India’s first Formula One race last October.

“Moto GP too is like F1. So,for JPSI,World Super Bike championships was a much better option. But I can tell you that Moto GP will definitely come to India. If not in 2013,then in 2014,” a JPSI source said.

“Talks are still on and who knows Moto GP may come to India in the second half of the season,” the source added.

Logistically it made sense for both WSBK and Moto GP to have a race in India in March since they both start their season in Asia and would have liked to finish the Asian engagement before moving to other shores of the world.

In the end,it’s WSBK,which has secured a race in India,the new motorsport destination of the world.

Unlike F1,the organisers — Jaypee Sports International Limited (JPSI) — will have a say in deciding the sponsorships

rights and commercials rights when it hosts WSBK.

It costs a fortune to earn a sponsor hip right in F1,so entering WSBK is financially viable for many Indian and other corporates.

JPSI will also earn close to Rs 25 crore per year for the title sponsorships from WSBK,which will be held on March 9-10

next year. Many Indian corporates are eyeing the event for various sponsorship and commercial opportunities.

According to sources,“a few corporate giants from the automobile and telecom sectors are in competition for the

title sponsorship of the Indian round and are willing to peg a sum of Rs 18-22 crore per year.”

“While other track-related sponsorship opportunities for the race may further add 90-100 crores in the race organisers’ kitty. It is at least 20 per cent more than what JPSI would have earned by organising Moto GP first,” said the source.

Airtel had paid approximately 40 crore per annum for the title rights of the F1 Indian GP last year and will do so for the next three years. But that money had not gone to JPSI. It went to the coffers of the F1 owners.

It is very hard to get the sponsorship of F1 as there are many global brands that are willing to pay a premium amount to Formula One management for any opportunity available.

“Whereas in the WSBK,almost all commercials will be handled by the Indian race organisers which will give Indian corporates an ideal chance to showcase them on the global stage for a lesser amount as compared to F1,” said a senior official from JPSI.

In WSBK,tuned versions of motorcycles,which are available for sale to the public,are used in racing while in MotoGP purpose-built machines are used.

“Thus,the sponsorship value increases for the former and has also played a main role for its entry in India before MotoGP,” said the source.

Paolo Flammini,CEO,Infront Motor Sports promoters of World Super Bike Championship – has said in unequivocal terms how important India,as a venue of motocycle race,has become.

“Today,India is one of the most important motorcycle markets in the world,not only in terms of existing numbers but also in terms of growth and in the upgrading of the bike range offered to the consumer.

“Undoubtedly,the inclusion of this event will greatly benefit all the protagonists of our series and will create significant added value for the motorcycle manufacturers,” Flammini said.