Citroën India has stepped into the fast lane by becoming the Official Car Partner of the 28th JK Tyre National Racing Championship (JKNRC) 2025. The move is part of the brand’s “Citroën 2.0 – Shift Into the New” strategy, and it puts the French marque right in the middle of India’s premier racing ecosystem.
A Partnership of Speed and Safety
Through this collaboration, Citroën cars will take on official duties at the championship. Expect to see them as safety cars, in choreographed drift and stunt shows, and in dynamic track showcases. The idea is to demonstrate the agility, handling, and flair that are hallmarks of the brand.
Motorsport Pedigree
Citroën’s connection with motorsport goes back to 1931 with the C6F “Rosalie”. Since then, icons like the ZX Rallye Raid, Xsara WRC, C4 WRC and DS3 WRC have built a formidable reputation on global rally stages. With nine Drivers’ Championships and eight Manufacturers’ titles in the World Rally Championship, including the Sébastien Loeb era of dominance, Citroën has firmly established itself in motorsport history.
Motorsport as Laboratory
For Citroën, racing has always been more than spectacle. It has served as a testing ground for innovations such as advanced suspension systems, disc brakes and performance tuning. Many of these technologies eventually filtered into its road cars, benefiting everyday drivers.
India Gets the Action
Now, with JK Tyre Motorsport, Citroën is bringing that legacy to India. The 2025 JKNRC began at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore in August and will conclude there in November after four rounds. The partnership aims not only to excite audiences but also to nurture young racing talent in the country.
Voices from the Pitlane
Shailesh Hazela, MD and CEO of Stellantis India, highlighted Citroën’s motorsport DNA and called the collaboration a salute to that heritage. Sanjay Sharma of JK Tyre & Industries Ltd described Citroën as the ideal partner to raise the profile of motorsport in India and inspire the next generation of racers.
Verdict
This partnership may not put Citroën directly on the grid, but by aligning with JKNRC, the brand strengthens its presence in India while tapping into its rich motorsport lineage. Expect a blend of French flair and homegrown racing energy.
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