Indian Racing Festival takes street racing to the next level; Chennai to host India’s first night street race.
The Indian Racing League and the FIA-certified Formula 4
Indian Championship will compete in the first-of-its-kind night street race in
India
Chennai, July 29, 2024: The Indian Racing Festival (IRF) is
set to make history with its inaugural night race at the Chennai Formula Racing
Circuit from August 30 to September 1, 2024. This groundbreaking event marks
the first night race on a street circuit in India. Over three thrilling days,
eight teams will light up the track with their high-speed machines in what
promises to be the festival's most exhilarating and ambitious season yet.
Promoted by Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd, the IRF strives to
tap into a rapidly burgeoning motorsports fanbase in India. To capture the
imagination of these fans, the IRF offers two championships: the Indian Racing
League (IRL) and the FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC). For the
petrolheads, this Chennai night race, supported by the Government of Tamil
Nadu, promises an unparalleled thrill for the region.
RPPL and the Tamil Nadu government announced the race on July
29 at Chennai's Taj Coromandel. The event was graced by J. Meghanatha Reddy
IAS, Member Secretary of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, and
Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director of RPPL. They were joined by
former Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan, Dr. Atulya Mishra IAS, Additional
Chief Secretary, SDAT, and FMSCI President Akbar Ebrahim. Also present were
RPPL Director Abhinandan and rising stars in the racing world, Formula 4
drivers Mohammed Ryan and Sandeep Kumar.
Termed as the Detroit
of Southern Asia, Chennai is the country's motorsports hub. While the
metropolis boasts other race tracks and has held multiple race events in the
past, the upcoming night race will add additional glory to its rich motorsports
heritage and excitement to its burgeoning reputation as the center of all the
high-octane action.
A 3.5-kilometre stretch, the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit
was made by RPPL in collaboration with the Sports Development Authority of
Tamil Nadu (SDAT). The competing speedsters zoom through the heart of India’s
motorsports capital at breath-taking speed, within view of the iconic Marina
Beach. The track commences at the Island Grounds and weaves past several key
landmarks before rounding back to the starting point. Nineteen turns, multiple
chicanes, andtricky elevations punctuate long stretches of the tarmac, keeping
both drivers and fans on their toes.
As the motorsports fanbase in India grows to new heights,
Chennai evolves with it. A dream destination for true petrol heads, India’s
motorsports capital will now fall in line with the likes of Singapore and Saudi
Arabia, offering a distinct and tantalizing street circuit that will light up
under the city lights at night.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Tamil Nadu government for their exceptional leadership and steadfast backing in making this landmark event possible. Their unwavering support has been crucial in bringing India’s first-night street race to Chennai. This ground-breaking event will offer fans a thrilling new perspective and present
drivers with unique challenges in a
stunning setting.
We are confident it will further
establish Chennai as the premier destination for motorsports enthusiasts across
the country and inspire a new wave of interest in the sport, which India will
experience for the first time,” says Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director of
RPPL.
“I assure you that this race will set
a new benchmark for motorsports and serve as a dynamic showcase of India as a
premier destination for global events. This thrilling spectacle will not only
highlight Chennai’s exceptional capabilities but also attract international
drivers, positioning India as a top choice for future motorsports competitions
in the coming times” he
further added.
The Chennai night race will mark another first for the Indian
Racing Festival, which is the foremost event in the motorsports world to offer
a gender-neutral racing championship.
The six-franchise team league is approved by FMSCI (Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India), making
it the most trusted and authentic race destination in the country. Meanwhile,
the FIA-certified Formula 4 Indian Championship is an open-wheel, single-seater
racing event that has begun attracting young, talented, and aspiring drivers
from across the country, as well as around the world.
The Indian Racing Festival has also seen the support of
heavyweights like Indian sporting great Sourav Ganguly and Bollywood star Arjun
Kapoor as Team Owners, while many more are lined up to join the IRF’s
exhilarating racing roster and make it one of the most sought-after sporting
properties in India.
The latest, adrenaline-fueled season of the IRF gets underway
with pre-season testing on August 22 and 23, followed by the opening round on
August 24 and 25 at the Madras International Circuit ahead of the much
anticipated night race for Round 2, starting August 30, 2024. Eight teams are
confirmed to participate in the event with Kolkata and Ahmedabad joining
seasons one and two stalwarts Delhi, Kochi, Goa, Chennai, Hyderabad, and
Bengaluru at the tracks.
About Indian Racing
Festival
The Indian Racing Festival (IRF) is a meticulously curated
motorsport event designed to captivate the growing motorsport fan base in
India. The Indian Racing League (IRL) and the Formula 4 Indian Championship
(F4IC) are the two championships under the Indian Racing Festival banner.
Notably, the Indian Racing League is FMSCI (Federation
of Motor Sports Clubs of India) approved, adding a level of prestige and
official recognition to the competition.
● The Indian Racing League (IRL) is
India’s only 4-wheel racing league and the world's first gender-neutral racing
championship series, promoting inclusivity and competitive spirit. IRL features
six city-based teams competing in a dynamic franchise-based competition.
● Formula 4 is an open-wheel, single-seater racing category
intended for junior drivers. It is the first step of the ladder for an aspiring
racing driver from karting to single-seater racing.
The FIA-certified Formula 4 Indian Championship has begun to attract young and aspiring drivers from around the world and the country. It creates an opportunity for young drivers in their single-seater journey with minimal investment
from their end. The drivers gain Super License points and the
Indian talent gets to do this at home instead of going abroad.
About Government of
Tamil Nadu/SDAT
The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) is
dedicated to promoting sports and physical fitness across Tamil Nadu. SDAT aims to foster a thriving sports culture and enhance physical well-being throughout the State by leveraging resources from government, sports associations, philanthropists, institutions, and sports enthusiasts.
About Racing Promotions
Pvt. Ltd.
Racing Promotions Private Ltd., co-founded by Akhilesh Reddy
and professional race drivers Armaan Ebrahim and Aditya Patel in 2019, aims to
bridge the gap between racing talent and opportunities. The franchise model, a
first in Indian motorsports, emphasizes creating lasting engagement
opportunities for teams, drivers, fans, and sponsors while promoting
inclusivity and competitive spirit.
Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL) is dedicated to forging a
holistic motorsport ecosystem in India, with the mission to host FIA-caliber
events and create pathways for aspiring individuals to pursue careers as
drivers, engineers, and mechanics. Committed to revolutionizing motorsport,
RPPL also aims to bolster motorsport education and awareness across the nation.
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