Chennai to host India’s first night race on Street Circuit

Chennai, July 30: Chennai is set to make history by hosting India’s first-ever night race on a street circuit during the Indian Racing Festival (IRF) from August 30 to September 1. The announcement was made on Monday at a press conference attended by Narain Karthikeyan, India’s first Formula One driver.

The 3.5-kilometer circuit, developed by Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd (RPPL) in collaboration with the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), will start at the Island Grounds and navigate past significant landmarks such as Marina Beach before returning to the starting point.

The event will begin with pre-season testing on August 22 and 23, followed by the opening round on August 24 and 25 at the Madras International Circuit (MIC).

The IRF features two championships: the FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC) and the Indian Racing League (IRL). The F4IC, an FIA-certified open-wheel, single-seater racing event, is designed for young drivers transitioning from karting to single-seater racing. The IRL, sanctioned by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), is India’s only four-wheel racing league and the world’s first gender-neutral racing championship series.

Eight teams, including newcomers Kolkata and Ahmedabad, will compete alongside established teams from Delhi, Kochi, Goa, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.

Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director of RPPL, expressed confidence that the event will position Chennai as a premier destination for motorsports enthusiasts and ignite a new wave of interest in the sport across India. Akbar Ebrahim, President of the FMSCI, highlighted the challenges and excitement of organizing a street race, drawing parallels with the success of international street circuits in Monaco and Singapore.

“This is a very big spectator sport,” Ebrahim said. “A street race is much more challenging to get up and running, but it is very exciting and gives access to the public. This is the way we start and witness racing with international and national drivers.”

The Chennai night race promises to be a landmark event in Indian motorsports, showcasing the city’s potential as a key hub for racing enthusiasts.