Call it a potential dream ticket, but it may not come true

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The organisers of the famous Race of Champions have reportedly invited Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok to join hands for the 25th edition of the year-end motorsport festival to be held at a temporary circuit in Bangkok, Thailand, from December 14 to 16.

The duo have been asked to come together, representing Team India, to fight against the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher (Team Germany) in identical cars (unlike Formula 1), but the golden opportunity looks set to go down as Narain, backed by MRF Tyres, is not so keen on pairing up with JK Tyre’s brand ambassador Karun.

Earlier, Narain was expected to participate in the ROC with MRF rally ace Gaurav Gill, but Karun’s entry into the scene reportedly forced Narain to reconsider. The relationship between the Indians turned sour ever since their career paths crossed at Formula 1. Efforts are on to persuade Narain.
If the Indian duo reunite — the two were once teammates of TATA RC Motorsport at Formula Nippon series — it would be a sight to behold for the country’s motorsport fans to see them take on big names in a single-make car. And the mileage they get at the end-of-season contest, which brings together the world’s greatest drivers from motorsport’s main disciplines such as Formula 1, world rally, touring
cars, Le Mans and Indycar, is huge.

After recent visits to London’s Wembley Stadium (2007-2008), Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium (2009) and Dusseldorf’s arena (2010-2011), ROC 2012 will take place on a specially constructed tarmac track with two parallel lanes winding their way round Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium.