Indu Chandhok, a veteran of Indian motorsports, passes away at 93

Indu Chandhok, the doyen of Indian motorsports with which he was actively associated for over six decades, passed away in Chennai this morning at the age of 93.

He is survived by two sons, one daughter, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Madras Motor Sports Club president Ajit Thomas said: “In Indu Chandhok’s demise, the MMSC and Indian motorsports have lost a giant and an institutional figure. He was instrumental in providing definitive direction to motorsports in India and we are now enjoying the fruits of his untiring efforts. He also shaped MMSC to what it is today. We deeply mourn his passing away and offer condolences to his family.”

Indu Chandhok’s son and MMSC Vice-President Vicky Chandhok, said: “The Patriarch of the Chandhok family, passed away in his sleep this morning. The total legend he was. ‘BIC’ lived his life filled with a great sense of humor until the end. He was a fantastic father and protector. In a way, he was also the patriarch of Indian motorsports who saw the big picture with a clear vision for the growth of the sport. The family and the motorsports fraternity will miss him.”

Born in Kolkata on July 22, 1931, and then moving to Chennai (erstwhile Madras) in 1932, Indu Chandhok, blessed with boundless energy and varied interests, led an active life.

He was one of the founder-members of the Madras Motor Sports Club in 1953 and later, the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) in 1971 of which he was the president (1978-79), besides being integral part of the Trust that purchased and developed the Madras International Circuit (erstwhile Madras Motor Race Track) at Irungattkottai, near Sriperumbudur and about 40 Kms from Chennai.

Off the track, he contributed to various organizations, serving as Chairman of the Punjab Association Trust, engaging with the DAV School, founding the Madras Round Table, and participating in the Masonic Lodge. He also held leadership roles as President of the Indian Motor Parts Dealers Association and the 41 Clubs of India, a network of former Round Tablers, eventually becoming its international President.

Indu Chandhok was best known for his long and enduring contribution to the growth of motorsports in the country. His involvement with motorsports for the last 60 years, first as a competitor and later as an organizer, earned him the sobriquet of “Godfather of Motor Sports in India”.

He passed on his motorsports genes to his son Vicky Chandhok, a former National Rally Champion, and grandson Karun Chandhok, India’s second Formula One driver (after Narain Karthikeyan), who is now a well-known F1 race commentator and analyst.