India: F1 tickets in the range of Rs 2,500-35,000

Greater Noida: You can witness the first ever Indian Grand Prix on October 30 by shelling out a minimum

of Rs 2500 but be ready to spend Rs 35000 if you want to have the best view of cars and drivers from the Main Grand Stand. The tickets for the race were made available online today through www.bookmyshow.com and within the first two hours close to 1000 tickets were sold according to the organisers -- Jaypee Sports International (JPSI). "We have tied up with bookmyshow.com for the online sale. Tickets will be sold in two phases and the first phase begins today. Tickets will be also be available at some outlets in metropolitan cities from the second phase," Sameer Gaur, the CEO and managing director of JPSI said while launching the ticket sale in the company of India`s F1 drivers -- Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok. Fans can choose their preferred seat location while booking their tickets. The Rs 2500 tickets are for the natural stand, which can accommodate 6500 fans. Then comes the Picnic stand for which 8000 fans will have to spend Rs 6000 each. For 36,838 seated Classic stand, the ticket price is Rs 6500. The two most expensive stands to watch the race are Premium Stand and the Main Grand Stand. While the price for premium stand is Rs 12,500 for each of the 10,230 seats, it`s a whopping Rs 35,000 for the each of the 20,156 Grand Stand seats. According to a presentation by the organisers, the Budh International circuit has been divided into five zones -- North, South, East, West and Paddock with each one having its own parking facility apart from having a common F1 Village, 10 ATMs and 30 shuttle buses to ferry spectators. The organisers also said that they have tied up with several Radio Taxi companies and have arranged for chartered buses for the convenience of the fans. There is provision for parking as many as 17,000 cars. Gaur also sought to dispel the apprehension about the farmers` agitation on land acquisition. JPSI had acquired land from the farmers from nearby villages to build the 5.14 km circuit in an area of 875 acres and some of the agriculturalists are reported to have approached the court, complaining less compensation. "This project was conceived and launched 3-4 years back. The construction has been going on for two and a half years. People have been supportive and till date we haven`t faced any trouble. Everything is all right," Gaur said. Gaur also said the facility was almost ready and homologation by an FIA team will be done in the first week of the September. PTI