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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.

Sourav Ganguly Joins Indian Racing Festival as Kolkata Royal Tigers OwnerFormer Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has become the owner of the Kolkata Royal Tigers, a new racing team set to compete in the Indian Racing Festival 2024. The festival, scheduled for August-September, will feature eight teams from major Indian cities, including Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Kochi, and Ahmedabad.Ganguly, who is also a former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), expressed his excitement about the venture. "Motorsports has always been a passion of mine," he said. "Together with the Kolkata Royal Tigers, we aim to build a strong legacy in the Indian Racing Festival and inspire a new generation of motorsport enthusiasts."The Indian Racing Festival encompasses two main championships: the Indian Racing League (IRL) and the Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC). The IRL is a team-based championship featuring identical race cars, while the F4IC is a single-seater championship for young drivers.Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd (RPPL), welcomed Ganguly to the racing fold. "His visionary leadership and commitment to excellence bring unparalleled dynamism to the Indian Racing Festival," he said.Ganguly's involvement in the Indian Racing Festival follows a trend of sports stars investing in motorsport. Recently, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin acquired stakes in American Gambits, a team competing in the Global Chess League.The Indian Racing Festival aims to promote motorsport in India and provide a platform for young drivers to showcase their skills. The festival is expected to attract a large audience and generate significant interest in the sport.