Popular global major, motorsport.com closes India edition with immediate effect

David Bodapati August 21, 2019

2,541 1 minute read

Home page of the Indian Edition a few days back.

Bengaluru, 21 August 2019: One of the top motorsports websites in the world, with multiple editions dedicated to different countries, Motorsport.com, has closed its Indian edition abruptly as of Wednesday after more than four years of its popular presence in the country.

Motorsport.com which has an international network launched the Indian online platform on 14th July 2015 The premier source worldwide for online motorsports content, provided the Indian fan and the whole motorsports fraternity in the country with a wide range of content, covering every event and the many national championships with dedicated regularity, maximizing its coverage of news content in the country. Motorsport.com’s operations in India included editorial, marketing, and business development with staff based out of India. Among some other countries who became a casualty to this decision included popular editions like Indonesia and Ukraine.

The entry into India at that time supported the Company’s strategic business decision and global growth strategy campaign aimed at winning new markets in providing more targeted motorsports coverage of major racing series, including Formula 1, World Endurance Championship, MotoGP, World Rally Championship, and FIA Formula E and of course all the Indian events like Indian National Rally Championship, National Racing Championships and about top Indians taking part in international events including Jehan Dharuvala.

The Indian edition icon with the map and the `India’ button on the top horizontal navigation bar are missing from Wednesday 21st August 2019.

The Global major which reaches its content to 18 countries and 10 native languages appointed Darshan Chokhani as Editor in Chief in 2015 and later Vivek Phadnis has taken over for a short period. Currently, India reporter Rachit Thukral and Global Photo Director Nikolaz Godet are shouldering the responsibility of the site in India.

Rachit Thukral in an email communication said: “Since its launch in July 2015, Motorsport.com India has quickly grown to become the leading source of racing news and analysis in the country. We’ve closely covered all major domestic races, rallies and off-road events, while also narrating the stories of Indian racers competing abroad.”

“Motorsport Network had major plans to expand its presence in both motor racing and automotive spheres in India. However, it has been forced to abort these plans due to business circumstances, following a review by the senior management,” he concluded.

About Motorsport.com

Formed in 1994, Motorsport.com is a technologically advanced international network of online motorsports content featuring world-class digital distribution, video and interactive multimedia worldwide with news bureaus in 18 countries in 10 different languages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Note: Edited and added a comment on 23rd August 2019 at 10.30am