Others

The Indian Racing League (IRL) Round 4 at the Kari Motor Speedway witnessed thrilling races and intense competition. Chennai Turbo Riders continued their dominance with a fourth victory, led by veteran British driver Jon Lancaster.Lancaster, 35, showcased his skills in a tight finish, holding off pole-sitter Neel Jani of Hyderabad Blackbirds. Jani, a former Formula 1 test driver, returned to the IRL after missing the previous rounds. India's Sohil Shah of Goa Aces JA Races secured third place.The race began with Jani establishing a five-second lead from pole position. However, Lancaster gradually closed the gap and took the lead midway through the race. Jani fought back but was unable to overtake Lancaster, who displayed exceptional driving to maintain his position.In the Formula 4 Indian Open, South African Aqil Alibhai of Hyderabad Blackbirds claimed his third win of the season. Starting from P2, Alibhai made a bold move on the first lap to overtake pole-sitter Ruhaan Alva of Shrachi Rarh Royal Bengal Tigers. Alibhai maintained his lead throughout the race, consolidating his position at the top of the leaderboard.The 27th FMSCI National Racing Championship saw veteran Diljith TS of Dark Don Racing emerge victorious in the JK-LGB Formula 4 race. Tijil Rao, who was leading comfortably, made a mistake in the closing stages, allowing Diljith to take the lead. Dhruvh Goswami of MSPORT finished second, while Tijil recovered to secure third place.The two-day Indian Racing Festival featured live coverage on Star Sports and Fan Code. The event showcased the talents of both domestic and international drivers, providing an exciting spectacle for racing enthusiasts.

Chennai, the vibrant capital of Tamil Nadu, is gearing up to host India's first-ever Formula 4 night street racing event from August 30th to September 1st. This groundbreaking spectacle will take place in the heart of the city, around the iconic Island Grounds, on a 3.5-kilometer stretch near the picturesque Marina Beach.The event will feature two distinct categories: the Indian Racing League (IRL), an IPL-style franchise-based race, and Formula 4 (F4) racing, designed for junior drivers. The IRL will see teams from various cities compete for a prize pool of 1.5 crores, while F4 drivers will earn crucial Super Licence points, essential for their progression to Formula 1.Among the team owners are renowned cricketer Sourav Ganguly and Bollywood star Arjun Kapoor. The racing will commence at 4:30 PM and continue for approximately five hours, with traffic being diverted during this period. Tickets are priced from Rs. 299 onwards, making it accessible to fans from all walks of life.The Marina Beach stretch will be transformed into a challenging circuit with 19 turns, multiple chicanes, and tricky elevations, promising an adrenaline-pumping experience for both drivers and spectators. The Tamil Nadu government has invested around 30 crores to develop exclusive roads that meet racing standards.Tamil Nadu has a rich history in motorsports, having produced India's first Formula 1 racing driver, Narain Karthikeyan, and Karun Chandok. The state is also home to several car manufacturers, making it an ideal location for this prestigious event."This event will elevate Chennai's global branding," said Meghanath Reddy, CEO of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. "We will join the ranks of only 14 cities worldwide that host Formula 4 races and become one of the five to hold night street racing."Despite initial concerns about noise pollution, organizers have assured that noise levels will be within permissible limits and that evacuation points and ambulances will be strategically placed along the track."Ticket pricing is affordable, so ordinary fans can witness this thrilling spectacle," said Abhinandan, Director of Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd (RPPL), the event organizer.The Indian Racing League championship carries a prize pool of 1.5 crores, while F4 racers will earn Super Licence points, crucial for their progression to F1. Akbar Ebrahim, President of the Federation of Motor Sport Clubs of India, expressed his excitement, saying, "This event brings motorsports to the doorstep of the general public. If successful, India and Tamil Nadu will be firmly placed on the global map."Revenue streams for the organizers include sponsorship, television and OTT rights, and advertisement boards along the track, with a portion of the proceeds going to the state government.Politically, this event is the brainchild of Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who has played a key role in hosting major sporting events such as the Chess Olympiad, Asian-level Hockey, and international surfing. The ruling party is expected to leverage this event to build a narrative around Stalin amid speculation of his elevation to Deputy Chief Minister.