I was present at Formula One Race (F1 race India) on 30th October, 2011 at Greater Noida. As a sponsor of Ground Arrangements (incl. Evacuation teams), 5 of us from Mahindra group were invited on this occasion to experience first-ever F1 Car Racing in India.
We reached Delhi from Mumbai in time for the race which was scheduled at 15:30 pm. From previous day’s feedback, we knew that it can take up to 2 hours to reach Greater Noida race course from Jorbagh. So we left at 12:00 pm itself, as prior to the race a vintage car rally was scheduled which was worth a dekho. On the way I realised how good an infrastructure has been created in Greater Noida.
DND Flyover was a smooth ride and we were in Noida in just 30 minutes. As I was seeing this suburb after ages, it was good to see all-round development before reaching Greater Noida to witness first-ever F1 Car Racing in India. Wide roads in Greater Noida were a delight; 6-8 lane highways all through. Our car driver too speeded up and we did some light-hearted leg-pulling.
All visitors were to take south/west/north/east pavilions which were colour-coded. So cars could just follow the colour guided signs without asking for directions. Our passes which were really a badge to wear announcing ‘Mr Gaur’s Guest’ indicated that we were to take central lane which we followed and simply landed in front of the stadium with no directions sought from all the way from Jorbagh for 75 minutes. I would say this was my first such experience in India.
At designated car park, we got down and several cars were waiting there to take us to the stadium. Visitors’ vehicles were to stop about 100 metres from stadium hosting car racing in India for safety reasons. In 2 minutes we were standing near entrance of VIP Pavilion and were given traditional welcome with Namaste by graceful ladies in saree uniforms. We were guided to a lift which was to take us to the Lounge from where we were to witness the event. As we were entering the lift, all of us were given ‘ear plugs’- not the airline variety but proper rubber ones. Their utility was understood later as the race started.
Upstairs was a different experience all together. It surpassed my past box experiences of cricket in India and base ball in the US. The infrastructure of Greater Noida was matched by the ambience created in the lounge. It was a 2 storey affair on 2nd/3rd floor which had a 360 degree view of track. One could simply walk from one side to another to follow cars as they went round the track. Not stationery as it happens in the stands. Near the viewing gallery, few sofas were put and in the middle were tables with comfy chairs. Lunch was laid out in a buffet and beer/cold drinks/water in several fridges at the centre.
We realised it was 14:00 pm and food was attacked on priority. Few photos were taken and belongings deposited on one sofa as the meeting place while we moved from one viewing point to another. Place was getting slowly full .Surprisingly nearly half the audience were women. I did not know they were so interested too. At 14:30 pm we took stock of the crowd all around us in the stands – tickets varied from 3500 to 50000 that day for the stands. It was near 80 percent occupancy for a 120,000 capacity stadium. Our lounge was surrounded by the race track. And race track was surrounded by stands on all sides in the stadium. No event is ever organised at this scale due to sheer size involved. And it is perhaps the only sports event which has a VIP lounge in the middle as the action is linear in an oval track all-round.
There was occasional excitement when stars made entry- SRK, PZ, and sports personalities from different fields. Corp sector galaxy was represented too in full force. Good place to go around saying hellos to known people. A good number had flown down from Mumbai/Bangalore but the majority was of local Delhi crowd. Mr Gaur graciously went round saying welcome in the lounge.
